Army awards $13.8M contract for Nobles Branch Sump improvements in Dallas Floodway

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,763,064 ($13.8M)

Contractor: Granite Construction Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-02-12

End Date: 2026-09-08

Contract Duration: 573 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ALL WORK FOR THE NOBLES BRANCH SUMP. DALLAS FLOODWAY (DF) NOBLES BRANCH SUMP IMPROVEMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75247

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.8 million to GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for work described as: ALL WORK FOR THE NOBLES BRANCH SUMP. DALLAS FLOODWAY (DF) NOBLES BRANCH SUMP IMPROVEMENTS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for large-scale civil engineering construction. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Project duration of over 1.5 years indicates a significant scope of work. 5. Location in Texas positions the project within a region prone to flooding. 6. The contract falls under heavy and civil engineering construction, a critical infrastructure sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $13.8 million for the Nobles Branch Sump improvements seems aligned with the scope of heavy civil engineering construction. Without specific benchmarks for similar sump improvement projects in floodway areas, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the pricing was determined upfront and should offer good value if the contractor delivers as specified. The duration of the contract (over 570 days) also implies a substantial project requiring significant resources.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific project. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of bids typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down costs and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for infrastructure projects.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are residents and businesses within the Dallas Floodway who will experience improved flood protection. The project will deliver critical infrastructure improvements to the Nobles Branch Sump, enhancing its capacity and reliability. The geographic impact is localized to Dallas, Texas, specifically within the floodway area. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers, engineers, and project managers in the Dallas area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions in a floodway environment could lead to delays or increased costs if not adequately managed.
Reliance on a single prime contractor for a project of this scale carries inherent risks if the contractor faces financial or operational difficulties.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition, even with two bidders, suggests an effort to secure competitive pricing.
The project addresses critical flood control infrastructure, which has long-term public safety benefits.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically focusing on water management infrastructure. The market for such projects is driven by government funding for infrastructure upgrades and flood control. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale civil works projects, such as levee construction, dam repairs, or drainage system enhancements, often valued in the millions to tens of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor, Granite Construction Company, is a large entity, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. The extent of small business subcontracting will depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the availability of qualified small business firms for specialized services within the project scope.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and project management team within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specific outcomes. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed project-specific oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

US Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Dallas Flood Control Projects
Federal Infrastructure Investment Programs
Heavy Civil Engineering Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions
Contractor performance risk
Weather-related delays

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.8 million to GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. ALL WORK FOR THE NOBLES BRANCH SUMP. DALLAS FLOODWAY (DF) NOBLES BRANCH SUMP IMPROVEMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-12. End: 2026-09-08.

What is Granite Construction Company's track record with similar Army Corps of Engineers projects?

Granite Construction Company has a significant history of working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on various civil works projects, including those related to water management, flood control, and infrastructure. Their experience often includes large-scale earthmoving, concrete structures, and environmental remediation. While specific project details and performance reviews for every contract are not always publicly available, their repeated selection for substantial federal contracts suggests a generally positive track record and capability to handle complex projects. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations if accessible through federal databases or agency reports.

How does the $13.8 million contract value compare to similar sump improvement projects in floodway areas?

Benchmarking the $13.8 million contract value for the Nobles Branch Sump improvements against similar projects is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts. Factors such as project scope, specific engineering requirements, site conditions (especially within a floodway), and regional construction costs can vary significantly. However, for large-scale civil engineering projects involving significant earthwork, concrete, and specialized systems for flood control, a value in the multi-million dollar range is not uncommon. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the government sought cost certainty, implying the price was deemed appropriate at the time of award based on the contractor's bid and the estimated project requirements.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential unforeseen site conditions common in floodway environments (e.g., soil instability, groundwater issues), potential delays due to weather, and contractor performance issues. The firm fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the total cost. Mitigation for site conditions and performance risks relies on thorough pre-award assessments, detailed contract specifications, robust project oversight by the Army Corps of Engineers, and performance bonds. The contractor is incentivized to manage risks effectively to maintain profitability under the fixed-price structure.

What is the expected effectiveness of the Nobles Branch Sump improvements in enhancing flood protection?

The effectiveness of the Nobles Branch Sump improvements hinges on the specific upgrades being made, which are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sump improvements aim to increase water storage capacity, improve pumping efficiency, and enhance the overall reliability of the drainage system during heavy rainfall events. By upgrading this critical component of the Dallas Floodway system, the project is expected to reduce the risk of localized flooding, protect infrastructure, and enhance public safety for residents and businesses within the protected area. The success will be measured by the system's performance during future flood events.

How has federal spending on flood control infrastructure in Texas trended over the past five years?

Federal spending on flood control infrastructure in Texas has generally been substantial and often increases following major weather events or in response to identified vulnerabilities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a primary agency responsible for such projects, with significant annual allocations. While specific year-over-year trends for Texas alone are complex to isolate without detailed budget analysis, national spending patterns show a consistent commitment to maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure, including flood control systems, driven by climate change concerns and population growth in vulnerable areas. Major hurricanes and floods in Texas have historically led to increased federal investment in related infrastructure projects.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W9126G24R0142

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Granite Construction Company Guam

Address: 585 W BEACH ST, WATSONVILLE, CA, 95076

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,763,064

Exercised Options: $13,763,064

Current Obligation: $13,763,064

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline