DoD Awards $124M Design-Build Contract for Camp Lejeune Bridge Recovery After Hurricane Florence

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $124,047,561 ($124.0M)

Contractor: Archer Western Construction LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-07-24

End Date: 2025-03-06

Contract Duration: 1,686 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN-BUILD (DC) HURRICANE FLORENCE RECOVERY MILCON PACKAGE 4, BRIDGES AT MARINE CORPS BASE (MCB) CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA

Place of Performance

Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, ONSLOW County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28547

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $124.0 million to ARCHER WESTERN CONSTRUCTION LLC for work described as: DESIGN-BUILD (DC) HURRICANE FLORENCE RECOVERY MILCON PACKAGE 4, BRIDGES AT MARINE CORPS BASE (MCB) CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical infrastructure repair for military readiness. 2. Archer Western Construction LLC secured the award. 3. Potential for cost overruns or delays in complex reconstruction projects. 4. Focus on resilience and long-term durability of vital transportation links.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $124M for bridge construction appears reasonable given the scope of hurricane recovery and design-build nature. Benchmarking against similar large-scale infrastructure projects would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that likely drove price discovery. The definitive contract type indicates a clear scope and fixed price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential military infrastructure repair, ensuring base operational capability and supporting regional recovery efforts.

Public Impact

Restores critical transportation infrastructure at a major military installation. Supports economic recovery in North Carolina following Hurricane Florence. Enhances military readiness by ensuring access to Camp Lejeune. Demonstrates federal commitment to rebuilding after natural disasters.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep or unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Long duration of the contract (over 4 years) increases risk exposure.
Reliance on a single contractor for a large, complex package.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Design-build approach can streamline project delivery.
Focus on critical infrastructure repair.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically highway, street, and bridge construction. Federal spending in this area often supports public infrastructure, transportation networks, and military installations, with significant project values common for large-scale repairs and new builds.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Archer Western Construction LLC. There is no explicit indication of small business subcontracting participation in the provided data, which warrants further investigation to ensure opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy, under the Department of Defense, is responsible for oversight. The definitive contract type and fixed price structure provide a framework for accountability, but ongoing monitoring of progress, quality, and budget adherence is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds 4 years.
Potential for unforeseen site conditions in disaster recovery.
No explicit small business participation noted.
Complexity of design-build for multiple bridge structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $124.0 million to ARCHER WESTERN CONSTRUCTION LLC. DESIGN-BUILD (DC) HURRICANE FLORENCE RECOVERY MILCON PACKAGE 4, BRIDGES AT MARINE CORPS BASE (MCB) CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARCHER WESTERN CONSTRUCTION LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $124.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-24. End: 2025-03-06.

What is the estimated cost per linear foot or per bridge for this reconstruction project, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar hurricane recovery efforts?

Without specific details on the length of bridges or the number of structures being replaced, calculating a precise cost per unit is challenging. However, the total $124M contract value for multiple bridges in a disaster recovery zone suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking would require detailed project specifications and comparison with other post-hurricane infrastructure repair projects to assess cost-effectiveness.

What are the specific risks associated with the 1686-day duration of this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place to manage potential cost escalations or schedule delays?

The extended duration increases exposure to inflation, material price fluctuations, and potential changes in regulatory requirements. Mitigation strategies likely include robust contract management, contingency planning for unforeseen site conditions, and performance incentives. Regular progress reviews and proactive risk assessment are essential to manage these long-term project risks effectively.

How effectively will the design-build approach expedite the recovery of critical infrastructure at Camp Lejeune, and what measures ensure the quality and resilience of the rebuilt bridges?

The design-build approach can accelerate recovery by integrating design and construction phases, potentially reducing overall project timelines. Quality and resilience are typically ensured through stringent contract specifications, independent quality assurance inspections, and adherence to engineering best practices for disaster-resistant infrastructure. The fixed-price nature of the contract also incentivizes efficient and high-quality execution.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: N4008519R9254

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Archer Western Construction LLC

Address: 4343 ANCHOR PLAZA PKWY STE 155, TAMPA, FL, 33634

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $124,047,561

Exercised Options: $124,047,561

Current Obligation: $124,047,561

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline