Department of Defense awards $28.5M contract for Minto Fish Facility rebuild, highlighting infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,543,238 ($28.5M)

Contractor: Slayden Construction Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-03-22

End Date: 2015-06-01

Contract Duration: 1,532 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REBUILD OF THE DETROIT DAM&RESERVOIR MINTO FISH FACILITY PROJECT NO.: 1515

Place of Performance

Location: MC KENZIE BRIDGE, LANE County, OREGON, 97413

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.5 million to SLAYDEN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC. for work described as: REBUILD OF THE DETROIT DAM&RESERVOIR MINTO FISH FACILITY PROJECT NO.: 1515 Key points: 1. Contract value of $28.5 million indicates significant investment in critical infrastructure. 2. The project's scope suggests a focus on environmental and ecological restoration efforts. 3. A firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 4. The duration of 1532 days points to a complex and lengthy construction project. 5. Awarded to SLAYDEN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC., suggesting established capabilities in heavy civil engineering. 6. The project is situated in Oregon, potentially benefiting the local economy and workforce.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.5 million for the Minto Fish Facility rebuild appears reasonable given the scope of heavy civil engineering construction. Without specific benchmarks for similar dam and reservoir facility projects, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The project's duration of over 1500 days indicates a substantial undertaking, which typically correlates with higher overall costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair market pricing and encourage efficiency from the awarded contractor. The presence of 10 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of infrastructure project.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and ensures the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The project directly benefits the Minto Fish Facility and the surrounding reservoir ecosystem by ensuring its structural integrity and functionality. It supports the conservation and management of fish populations within the Minto Dam and Reservoir. The construction work is geographically focused in Oregon, potentially creating local employment opportunities. The successful completion of the project will ensure the continued operation of vital water management infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting project timeline and budget.
Environmental compliance during construction could pose challenges.
Coordination with multiple stakeholders (e.g., environmental agencies, local authorities) may be complex.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process leading to value.
The contractor, SLAYDEN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC., likely has relevant experience in heavy civil engineering.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, a critical area for national infrastructure development. This sector encompasses a wide range of projects, including dams, reservoirs, bridges, and other large-scale public works. Spending in this sector is often driven by the need to maintain and upgrade aging infrastructure, as well as to support environmental and resource management initiatives. Comparable projects can vary widely in cost depending on scale, complexity, and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, SLAYDEN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data, but large federal construction contracts often include provisions for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army, a component of the Department of Defense. Mechanisms likely include contract performance monitoring, regular progress reports from the contractor, and potentially site inspections. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price contract terms, which hold the contractor responsible for delivering the project within the agreed-upon cost and schedule. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Infrastructure Improvement Programs
Environmental Restoration Projects
Dam and Reservoir Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions.
Risk of schedule delays impacting project completion.
Environmental compliance challenges during construction.
Complexity of managing a multi-year infrastructure project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.5 million to SLAYDEN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC.. REBUILD OF THE DETROIT DAM&RESERVOIR MINTO FISH FACILITY PROJECT NO.: 1515

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SLAYDEN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, 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 $28.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-03-22. End: 2015-06-01.

What is the track record of SLAYDEN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC. on similar federal projects?

To assess SLAYDEN CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC.'s track record, a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving heavy civil engineering, dam, or reservoir construction, would be necessary. This would involve examining contract databases for project history, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any documented disputes or terminations. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget project completion would indicate a strong capability for the Minto Fish Facility rebuild. Conversely, a pattern of delays, cost overruns, or quality issues would raise concerns about their suitability for this significant undertaking.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar dam and reservoir facility rebuild projects?

Benchmarking the $28.5 million award for the Minto Fish Facility rebuild against similar projects requires access to a database of comparable federal or state infrastructure projects. Factors such as the specific scope of work (e.g., structural repairs, environmental mitigation, component upgrades), the size and complexity of the facility, geographic location (which impacts labor and material costs), and the year of award are crucial for a meaningful comparison. Without such a dataset, it's challenging to definitively state if this award represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. However, the firm fixed-price nature and the competitive bidding process suggest an effort to achieve value.

What are the primary risks associated with a project of this duration and scope?

Projects with a duration of 1532 days (over four years) and a significant scope like rebuilding a dam and reservoir facility inherently carry several risks. These include potential cost escalation due to unforeseen site conditions, material price fluctuations, or changes in regulatory requirements. Schedule delays are also a major risk, stemming from weather impacts, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, or complex interdependencies between construction phases. Furthermore, environmental risks, such as the discovery of hazardous materials or impacts on protected species, could necessitate costly mitigation measures. The complexity of coordinating multiple construction activities and stakeholders also presents a risk to seamless execution.

What is the expected impact of this project on fish populations and the local ecosystem?

The 'Minto Fish Facility' designation strongly suggests that a primary objective of this rebuild project is to improve or restore conditions favorable to fish populations and the broader ecosystem. This could involve enhancing fish passage, improving habitat quality within the reservoir, or upgrading water management systems to better regulate flow and temperature for aquatic life. The project likely aims to mitigate any negative impacts the existing facility may have had on fish or to enhance the ecological functions of the reservoir. Specific details on the expected ecological benefits would typically be found in the project's environmental impact statements or design specifications.

How has federal spending on heavy and civil engineering construction evolved in recent years?

Federal spending on heavy and civil engineering construction has generally seen fluctuations driven by infrastructure priorities, economic conditions, and funding appropriations. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on infrastructure renewal and modernization, leading to increased investment in this sector. This includes funding for transportation networks, water infrastructure (like dams and reservoirs), energy facilities, and public buildings. Factors such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have significantly boosted federal outlays in this area, aiming to address long-standing needs and stimulate economic activity. Tracking specific spending trends requires analysis of budget data and agency reports over time.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W9127N10R0052

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 500 WILLAMETTE AVE, STAYTON, OR, 97383

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,543,238

Exercised Options: $28,543,238

Current Obligation: $28,543,238

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline