Department of Defense awards $66M for Bridge Erection Boats, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $66,003,730 ($66.0M)

Contractor: Birdon America Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-12-09

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,391 days

Daily Burn Rate: $47.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THIS CONTRACT IS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BRIDGE ERECTION BOAT (BEB) TO INCLUDE BOTH HARDWARE AND SERVICES. THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS IN THE THIRD ORDERING YEAR TO PROCURE BEBS AND CREW PROTECTION KITS (CPKS)

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80239

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $66.0 million to BIRDON AMERICA INC for work described as: THIS CONTRACT IS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BRIDGE ERECTION BOAT (BEB) TO INCLUDE BOTH HARDWARE AND SERVICES. THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS IN THE THIRD ORDERING YEAR TO PROCURE BEBS AND CREW PROTECTION KITS (CPKS) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on procuring specialized Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) and associated Crew Protection Kits (CPKs). 2. This delivery order represents the third year of procurement for these essential maritime assets. 3. The contract is structured as a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) delivery order, indicating predictable costs for the government. 4. The primary contractor, Birdon America Inc., has been awarded this significant portion of the overall contract value. 5. The procurement is managed by the Department of the Army, highlighting its strategic importance for military engineering capabilities. 6. The contract duration extends through September 2025, ensuring sustained availability of these critical assets.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total value of this delivery order is $66,003,730.33. Benchmarking this specific procurement is challenging due to the specialized nature of Bridge Erection Boats. However, the contract is a delivery order under a larger award, suggesting that some level of pricing review may have occurred during the initial contract negotiation. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty, but without comparative bids for this specific order, assessing optimal value for money is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This delivery order was not competed, indicating it was likely awarded under a pre-existing contract that may have been competed previously, or it falls under a sole-source justification. The absence of a competitive bidding process for this specific order raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible pricing and terms. Without multiple bidders, the government's leverage in price negotiation is reduced.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this delivery order means taxpayers may not be benefiting from the most cost-effective pricing that a competitive environment could provide. This could lead to higher overall expenditures for these specialized vessels.

Public Impact

The U.S. Army benefits directly through the acquisition of critical engineering and logistical support capabilities. These Bridge Erection Boats are essential for military operations, enabling rapid construction of bridges in various operational environments. The procurement supports the Army's ability to maintain mobility and logistical lines of communication in deployed theaters. The contract has implications for the defense industrial base, specifically for companies involved in specialized marine vessel construction and support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition for this delivery order limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
The specialized nature of the equipment may create a limited pool of qualified contractors, potentially leading to sole-source awards.
The contract duration extends over several years, requiring ongoing monitoring to ensure performance and cost control.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The procurement is for essential military engineering equipment, directly supporting operational readiness.
This is a delivery order under a larger contract, suggesting a structured procurement process may have been followed initially.

Sector Analysis

The defense sector, particularly military engineering and logistics, relies on specialized equipment like Bridge Erection Boats. The market for such niche vessels is likely limited, with a few key manufacturers capable of meeting stringent military specifications. This contract fits within the broader category of defense procurement for operational support assets. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of BEBs, but overall defense spending on maritime assets is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) is not a primary focus of this specific delivery order. There is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements being explicitly met. This suggests that the prime contractor, Birdon America Inc., is likely a large business, and the procurement may not be designed to foster small business involvement in this particular instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Defense's contracting and program management structures. The Army Contracting Command and relevant program executive offices are responsible for monitoring performance, costs, and compliance. Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Military Engineering Equipment
Naval Vessels Procurement
Logistics Support Contracts
Department of Defense Major Weapon Systems

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Specialized Equipment
Long-Term Delivery Order

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $66.0 million to BIRDON AMERICA INC. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BRIDGE ERECTION BOAT (BEB) TO INCLUDE BOTH HARDWARE AND SERVICES. THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS IN THE THIRD ORDERING YEAR TO PROCURE BEBS AND CREW PROTECTION KITS (CPKS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIRDON AMERICA INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $66.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-09. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of Birdon America Inc. with similar defense contracts?

Birdon America Inc. has a history of securing defense contracts, particularly related to maritime assets and specialized vehicles. While specific details on past performance for Bridge Erection Boats are not provided in this data snippet, their involvement in this multi-year procurement suggests a demonstrated capability and established relationship with the Department of Defense. Further investigation into their contract history, including past performance reviews and any disputes or awards, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in delivering complex defense systems.

How does the unit cost of these Bridge Erection Boats compare to similar historical procurements or market rates?

The provided data does not include a per-unit cost breakdown for the Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) or Crew Protection Kits (CPKs) within this $66 million delivery order. The total value and duration are given, but not the quantity of units procured in this specific order. Without knowing the number of BEBs and CPKs acquired, a direct unit cost comparison is impossible. Benchmarking would require access to the contract's detailed pricing structure or data from previous, comparable procurements of BEBs, which are not publicly available in this summary.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, given its sole-source nature and specialized equipment?

The primary risks associated with this contract stem from its sole-source (or not competed) nature. This significantly reduces price competition, potentially leading to higher costs for the government and taxpayers. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on a single supplier for specialized equipment and support, limiting future flexibility. Furthermore, the specialized nature of Bridge Erection Boats means that if Birdon America Inc. faces production issues, supply chain disruptions, or performance failures, the military's capability to construct bridges could be severely impacted, posing a strategic risk.

How effective are Bridge Erection Boats in supporting military engineering objectives, and what is the expected impact of this procurement?

Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) are highly effective and critical assets for military engineering, enabling rapid deployment and construction of bridges across water obstacles. They are essential for maintaining mobility, logistics, and operational maneuverability in diverse terrains and combat scenarios. This procurement, valued at $66 million over several years, is expected to significantly enhance or sustain the U.S. Army's bridging capabilities. It ensures that engineering units have access to modern, reliable equipment necessary for executing complex bridging operations, thereby bolstering overall force projection and operational readiness.

What is the historical spending trend for Bridge Erection Boats or similar maritime engineering assets by the Department of Defense?

Historical spending data specifically for Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) by the Department of Defense is not readily available in public summaries. However, the Department of Defense consistently invests billions annually in naval vessels, maritime systems, and engineering equipment to support its global operations. Procurements for specialized assets like BEBs are typically part of larger, multi-year programs aimed at modernizing military capabilities. This $66 million delivery order represents a significant, albeit specific, investment in this niche area, suggesting a sustained need and commitment to maintaining these critical engineering assets within the Army's inventory.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Ship and Boat Building › Boat Building

Product/Service Code: SHIPS, SMALL CRAFT, PONTOON, DOCKS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4965 KINGSTON ST, DENVER, CO, 80239

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $66,003,730

Exercised Options: $66,003,730

Current Obligation: $66,003,730

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W56HZV19D0093

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline