Yellowstone Intake Fish Passage contract awarded to Ames Construction for over $44.8M, completed by DoD

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,802,010 ($44.8M)

Contractor: Ames Construction, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-09-30

End Date: 2023-04-15

Contract Duration: 1,658 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: YELLOWSTONE INTAKE FISH PASSAGE, GLENDIVE, MT

Place of Performance

Location: GLENDIVE, DAWSON County, MONTANA, 59330

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.8 million to AMES CONSTRUCTION, INC. for work described as: YELLOWSTONE INTAKE FISH PASSAGE, GLENDIVE, MT Key points: 1. The contract aimed to improve fish passage at the Yellowstone Intake structure. 2. Ames Construction, Inc. was the awarded contractor. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The project duration was approximately 1658 days. 5. The contract type was Firm Fixed Price, indicating defined costs. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code was 237990, related to heavy civil engineering construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount was $44,802,009.70. Benchmarking this specific project's value is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and scope comparisons. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests that cost overruns were primarily the contractor's responsibility, which can be a positive indicator for value if managed effectively. The duration of the contract (over 4.5 years) suggests a complex project, and the final cost should be evaluated against the initial estimated cost if available.

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 data shows 6 bids were received, suggesting a reasonable level of competition for this heavy civil engineering project. A higher number of bids generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition and multiple bids received are beneficial for taxpayers, as they increase the likelihood of securing the best possible price and quality for the construction services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the fish populations in the Yellowstone River ecosystem, with improved passage facilitating migration and spawning. The project delivers critical infrastructure improvements to the Yellowstone Intake structure. The geographic impact is localized to Glendive, Montana, where the Yellowstone Intake is located. The project likely involved a significant construction workforce, contributing to local employment and economic activity in Montana.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (1658 days) could indicate potential for scope creep or unforeseen challenges impacting final cost and timeline.
Firm Fixed Price contracts, while defining costs, can sometimes lead to contractors cutting corners on quality if not rigorously overseen, though this is not explicitly indicated here.
The specific nature of 'fish passage' construction can be sensitive to environmental factors and regulatory changes, potentially introducing risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition with 6 bids, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type generally provides cost certainty for the government.
Completion of a significant infrastructure project by the Department of the Army indicates successful execution of a federal mandate.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically related to environmental infrastructure. This sector is characterized by large-scale projects, often involving significant public investment and regulatory oversight. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other dam, waterway, or environmental remediation construction projects undertaken by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it provide information on subcontracting. As a large-scale civil engineering project, it's possible that larger firms were the primary bidders, though they may engage small businesses for specialized services or labor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Department of the Army contract would typically involve contracting officers, project managers, and potentially quality assurance representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers. Inspector General (IG) oversight is standard for federal contracts, ensuring accountability and investigating fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is usually facilitated through contract award databases like SAM.gov.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Fisheries Management and Habitat Restoration Programs
Environmental Infrastructure Projects
Water Resource Development Projects

Risk Flags

Long project duration may indicate potential for schedule delays or cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Complexity of environmental infrastructure projects can introduce unforeseen challenges.
Need for detailed review of contract modifications to assess final value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.8 million to AMES CONSTRUCTION, INC.. YELLOWSTONE INTAKE FISH PASSAGE, GLENDIVE, MT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMES CONSTRUCTION, 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 $44.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-30. End: 2023-04-15.

What was the initial estimated cost for the Yellowstone Intake Fish Passage project, and how did the final award amount compare?

The provided data indicates a final award amount of $44,802,009.70. However, the initial estimated cost for the project is not included in the dataset. To perform a thorough value assessment, comparing the final award to the initial estimate is crucial. A significant difference could suggest issues with the initial estimation, changes in project scope, or market fluctuations. Without the initial estimate, it's difficult to definitively assess whether the final price represents good value or if there were cost efficiencies achieved during the bidding and execution phases.

What specific improvements did the Yellowstone Intake Fish Passage project entail, and what are the expected ecological benefits?

The project's objective was to improve fish passage at the Yellowstone Intake structure. This typically involves modifications to the intake dam or associated structures to allow fish, particularly migratory species, to move upstream and downstream unimpeded. The expected ecological benefits include enhanced fish migration, improved spawning success, increased genetic diversity within fish populations, and a healthier overall riverine ecosystem. Quantifying these benefits often requires post-project monitoring of fish populations and habitat use.

How does the contract duration of 1658 days (approximately 4.5 years) compare to similar heavy civil engineering construction projects?

A contract duration of 1658 days for a heavy civil engineering project like fish passage construction is substantial, suggesting a project of considerable complexity and scale. Typical durations for such projects can range from one to several years, depending on factors like project scope, environmental conditions, permitting requirements, and funding availability. Projects involving significant earthmoving, concrete work, and potential environmental mitigation efforts often require extended timelines. This duration is not inherently indicative of inefficiency but warrants scrutiny regarding project management and adherence to schedule milestones.

What is the track record of Ames Construction, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?

Ames Construction, Inc. has a history of securing and performing federal contracts. While specific details on their track record with the Department of Defense (DoD) require deeper database searches, their award on this significant project suggests they met the qualifications and competitive requirements set by the agency. Analyzing their past performance ratings, any contract disputes, and the types of projects they've completed for federal agencies would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in executing government work.

Were there any significant cost changes or contract modifications during the life of this contract?

The provided data indicates a single award amount of $44,802,009.70 and a contract duration of 1658 days. Without access to the contract's modification history, it is impossible to determine if there were any significant cost changes or contract modifications. Federal contracts often undergo modifications due to unforeseen circumstances, scope adjustments, or change orders. Analyzing these modifications is essential for understanding the project's evolution, the reasons for any cost variances from the initial plan, and the effectiveness of contract management.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 237990 ('Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction') in the context of this contract?

The NAICS code 237990 signifies that this contract falls under the category of heavy and civil engineering construction, excluding buildings. This classification encompasses a wide range of infrastructure projects such as highways, streets, bridges, tunnels, dams, power plants, and marine facilities. For the Yellowstone Intake Fish Passage project, this code accurately reflects the nature of the work, which involves significant civil engineering and construction activities related to water management and environmental infrastructure, rather than the erection of buildings.

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: W9128F18B0006

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2000 AMES DR, BURNSVILLE, MN, 55306

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,802,010

Exercised Options: $44,802,010

Current Obligation: $44,802,010

Actual Outlays: $4,812,802

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline