Mobile Harbor dredging contract awarded to Weeks Marine, Inc. for $26M, utilizing full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,999,284 ($26.0M)
Contractor: Weeks Marine, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-04-11
End Date: 2025-11-20
Contract Duration: 223 days
Daily Burn Rate: $116.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: MAINTENANCE DREDGING OPERATIONS IN MOBILE HARBOR
Place of Performance
Location: MOBILE, MOBILE County, ALABAMA, 36602
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $26.0 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC. for work described as: MAINTENANCE DREDGING OPERATIONS IN MOBILE HARBOR Key points: 1. Contract value of $26M for maintenance dredging operations. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Definitive contract type suggests a single, established agreement. 4. Firm fixed price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 5. Operations are geographically focused in Alabama. 6. Contract duration of 223 days for the specified work.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $26 million for maintenance dredging in Mobile Harbor appears reasonable given the scope of civil engineering construction. Without specific benchmarks for similar dredging projects in comparable harbors, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests the government has secured a defined cost for the services, mitigating potential overruns. Further analysis would require comparing this contract's unit costs (e.g., per cubic yard dredged) to industry standards and historical data for similar projects.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific contract. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, three offers generally provide a basis for price comparison and negotiation, suggesting the government likely received competitive proposals.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, with multiple bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better service quality.
Public Impact
Benefits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by ensuring the navigability of Mobile Harbor. Services delivered include essential maintenance dredging operations. Geographic impact is concentrated in Alabama, specifically Mobile Harbor. Workforce implications include employment for skilled labor in the maritime construction and dredging industry.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for schedule delays impacting harbor operations if performance issues arise.
- Environmental compliance risks associated with dredging activities.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Award to an established contractor with experience in heavy civil engineering.
- Clear definition of work scope for maintenance dredging.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically related to maritime infrastructure maintenance. The dredging market is specialized, often involving significant capital investment in equipment and expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in other Army Corps of Engineers projects or port authority maintenance contracts. The market size for such specialized services can fluctuate based on infrastructure needs and federal funding allocations.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. Consequently, there is no direct indication of small business participation through a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Weeks Marine, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the contracting agency. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
- Port Infrastructure Development Projects
- Maritime Navigation and Dredging Services
Risk Flags
- Environmental compliance risks
- Potential for weather-related delays
- Unforeseen subsurface conditions
Tags
construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, mobile-harbor, dredging, maintenance, heavy-civil-engineering, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, alabama, maritime-infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $26.0 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC.. MAINTENANCE DREDGING OPERATIONS IN MOBILE HARBOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WEEKS MARINE, 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 $26.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-11. End: 2025-11-20.
What is the historical spending pattern for maintenance dredging in Mobile Harbor by the Department of the Army?
Analyzing historical spending for maintenance dredging in Mobile Harbor by the Department of the Army requires access to detailed historical contract data. Typically, such contracts are awarded periodically to maintain channel depths and navigability. Factors influencing spending include the volume of material to be dredged, the type of dredging equipment used, environmental regulations, and the frequency of maintenance required. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to establish a precise pattern, but it's reasonable to assume that consistent funding is allocated to ensure the harbor's operational capacity. This contract's value of $26 million represents a significant investment in maintaining this critical waterway.
How does the number of bidders (3) compare to typical competition levels for similar Army Corps of Engineers dredging contracts?
The number of bidders for federal contracts can vary significantly based on the contract's complexity, value, geographic location, and the availability of qualified contractors. For specialized services like heavy civil engineering construction and dredging, a competition level with three bidders is often considered moderate. While more bidders could potentially lead to lower prices, three offers generally provide sufficient data for the contracting officer to assess price reasonableness and ensure fair market value. Some highly specialized or niche contracts might see fewer bidders, while larger, more broadly scoped projects could attract a greater number. Therefore, three bidders suggest a reasonably competitive scenario for this type of work.
What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for dredging operations?
While firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts offer cost certainty to the government, they can introduce risks for the contractor. For dredging operations, potential risks include unforeseen subsurface conditions (e.g., harder-than-expected material, buried obstructions) that could increase dredging time and costs. Adverse weather conditions can also cause significant delays, impacting the contractor's schedule and profitability. If the contractor underestimates the scope or encounters unexpected challenges, they may incur losses. Conversely, the government benefits from price predictability, but must ensure the scope of work is clearly defined to avoid disputes over what is included.
What is the track record of Weeks Marine, Inc. in performing similar dredging and civil engineering contracts for the federal government?
Weeks Marine, Inc. has a substantial track record in performing dredging and heavy civil engineering construction projects. As a prominent player in the maritime construction industry, the company has been awarded numerous contracts by various federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for projects involving channel deepening, harbor maintenance, beach nourishment, and marine construction. Their experience typically encompasses a wide range of dredging techniques and environmental compliance measures. A review of their contract history would likely reveal a pattern of successful project completion, though specific performance metrics and any past issues would require a deeper dive into contract performance reports and award data.
How does the contract duration (223 days) align with the scope of maintenance dredging in Mobile Harbor?
The contract duration of 223 days for maintenance dredging in Mobile Harbor provides a timeframe for the contractor to complete the specified work. The efficiency and appropriateness of this duration depend heavily on the volume of material to be removed, the type of dredging equipment employed, site accessibility, and environmental windows for dredging. Maintenance dredging is typically performed to restore authorized depths and widths, and the duration is often calculated based on the estimated work required and logistical considerations. Without knowing the specific quantities and complexities of the dredging task, it's challenging to definitively assess if 223 days is optimal, but it represents the planned period for execution.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID
Solicitation ID: W9127825B0004
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Kiewit-Turner a Joint Venture
Address: 304 GAILLE DR, COVINGTON, LA, 70433
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,999,284
Exercised Options: $25,999,284
Current Obligation: $25,999,284
Actual Outlays: $15,085,027
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-11
Current End Date: 2025-11-20
Potential End Date: 2025-11-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-29
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