Army awards $65M civil engineering contract for coastal erosion task order in Alaska

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $65,045,322 ($65.0M)

Contractor: Brice Civil Constructors, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-05-14

End Date: 2025-09-02

Contract Duration: 476 days

Daily Burn Rate: $136.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: BARROW COASTAL EROSION TASK ORDER 1

Place of Performance

Location: BARROW, NORTH SLOPE County, ALASKA, 99723

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $65.0 million to BRICE CIVIL CONSTRUCTORS, INC. for work described as: BARROW COASTAL EROSION TASK ORDER 1 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Brice Civil Constructors, Inc. for heavy civil engineering construction. 2. Task order is for coastal erosion mitigation efforts. 3. Contract duration spans over 1.5 years. 4. Delivery order under an existing contract. 5. Fixed-price contract type suggests defined scope and cost. 6. Geographic focus on Alaska indicates specific environmental challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $65,045,322 for a period of 476 days. Benchmarking this specific task order against similar coastal erosion projects is challenging due to the unique nature of such work and its location. However, the firm fixed-price contract type implies that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the work is completed within budget. Further analysis would require comparing the per-unit costs of specific construction elements (e.g., cubic yards of material moved, linear feet of protective structures installed) to industry standards or other government projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was initially broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria, which warrants further investigation into the justification for exclusion. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation generally suggests a competitive process aimed at achieving the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with exclusions, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the most advantageous pricing and terms.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and potentially local communities in Alaska impacted by coastal erosion. The services delivered involve heavy civil engineering construction, specifically addressing coastal erosion. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alaska, a region particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for skilled construction labor in Alaska.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type requires scrutiny to ensure fairness and prevent undue restrictions on potential bidders.
Lack of specific performance metrics or detailed scope of work in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the awarded task order.
The remote and challenging environment of Alaska could introduce unforeseen logistical and cost risks.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, potentially protecting the government from unexpected expenses.
The award to Brice Civil Constructors, Inc. suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience for this specialized type of construction.
The task order addresses a critical environmental and infrastructure concern (coastal erosion) which is vital for long-term stability and safety.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically addressing infrastructure resilience against environmental factors. The market for such specialized construction, particularly in remote and challenging environments like Alaska, is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified firms. Government spending in this area is driven by the need to protect military installations, critical infrastructure, and coastal communities from the impacts of climate change and natural erosion processes.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific award, as the 'ss' (small business set-aside) field is false. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Brice Civil Constructors, Inc., will likely handle the majority of the work, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular contract may be limited unless subcontracting opportunities are actively pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for managing and executing civil works projects. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency would be enhanced by public access to contract performance reports and any post-award reviews conducted by the agency or an Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Coastal Management and Protection Projects
Infrastructure Resilience Initiatives
Federal Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Competition Clause Ambiguity
Environmental Risk in Remote Location
Limited Publicly Available Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $65.0 million to BRICE CIVIL CONSTRUCTORS, INC.. BARROW COASTAL EROSION TASK ORDER 1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRICE CIVIL CONSTRUCTORS, 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 $65.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-14. End: 2025-09-02.

What is the track record of Brice Civil Constructors, Inc. with the Department of Defense and similar coastal engineering projects?

Brice Civil Constructors, Inc. has a history of performing work for the Department of Defense, as indicated by this award. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their past performance on similar projects, including any reported issues, contract modifications, or performance evaluations, would be necessary. Information on their experience with coastal erosion mitigation specifically, and their success in challenging environments like Alaska, would provide further context on their capability to execute this task order effectively and efficiently. Reviewing their contract history for on-time and on-budget delivery on comparable projects would also be crucial.

How does the pricing of this task order compare to similar coastal erosion projects awarded by the government?

Directly comparing the total award amount of $65,045,322 for this task order is difficult without detailed breakdowns of the work performed and specific unit costs. Coastal erosion projects are highly site-specific, influenced by local geology, environmental conditions, and the chosen mitigation strategies. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare unit costs for materials (e.g., rock, concrete), labor rates, and equipment usage for similar tasks in comparable geographic regions. The firm fixed-price nature of this contract suggests that Brice Civil Constructors, Inc. has factored in potential risks and overheads, which should ideally result in a competitive price if the bidding process was robust.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract likely include the challenging Alaskan environment (weather, remoteness, permafrost), potential for unforeseen subsurface conditions, and logistical complexities. The firm fixed-price contract structure mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. Mitigation of environmental and logistical risks would depend on the contractor's detailed project planning, experienced personnel, and robust supply chain management. The Army Corps of Engineers' oversight and potential inclusion of specific performance standards and contingency plans within the contract would further address these risks. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition also presents a potential risk if it unduly limited the pool of qualified bidders.

What is the expected effectiveness of the coastal erosion mitigation measures to be implemented under this contract?

The effectiveness of the coastal erosion mitigation measures will depend on the specific engineering solutions designed and implemented by Brice Civil Constructors, Inc., under the guidance of the Army Corps of Engineers. Without detailed project specifications, it's impossible to definitively assess effectiveness. However, the selection of a firm fixed-price contract suggests that the scope of work and expected outcomes are well-defined. The Army Corps of Engineers' role in design, oversight, and potentially post-construction monitoring is critical to ensuring that the implemented measures achieve the desired long-term protection against erosion.

How does historical spending on coastal erosion projects by the Department of Defense compare to this award?

Historical spending data for coastal erosion projects by the Department of Defense can vary significantly year-to-year and by region, influenced by funding priorities, environmental assessments, and the urgency of identified threats. This $65 million award represents a substantial investment in a single task order. To provide a comparative analysis, one would need to examine aggregate spending on similar projects over several fiscal years, identify trends in contract values, and understand the geographical distribution of these investments. This would help contextualize whether this award is an outlier or part of a consistent pattern of federal investment in coastal defense.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W911KB24R0009

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3700 CENTERPOINT DR SUITE 8173, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $118,427,142

Exercised Options: $65,045,322

Current Obligation: $65,045,322

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911KB24D0012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline