Army awards $23.2M contract for Absecon FCCE repair, highlighting significant civil engineering construction needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,243,055 ($23.2M)
Contractor: Weeks Marine, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2013-04-19
End Date: 2015-09-02
Contract Duration: 866 days
Daily Burn Rate: $26.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: BASE BID - ABSECON FCCE REPAIR
Place of Performance
Location: VENTNOR CITY, ATLANTIC County, NEW JERSEY, 08406, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.2 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC. for work described as: BASE BID - ABSECON FCCE REPAIR Key points: 1. Contract value of $23.2 million indicates substantial investment in critical infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for heavy civil engineering services. 3. The contract duration of 866 days points to a complex and lengthy repair project. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 5. Award to Weeks Marine, Inc. reflects their established presence in large-scale marine construction. 6. The project's focus on FCCE repair suggests a need for environmental remediation or facility upgrades.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's base bid of $23.2 million for Absecon FCCE repair appears reasonable given the scope of heavy and civil engineering construction. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering projects would provide a more precise value assessment. The fixed-price nature of the contract is a positive indicator for cost control, assuming the contractor has accurately estimated all project variables. Without specific details on the FCCE repair scope, a direct comparison to market rates for similar services is challenging, but the competitive bidding process likely contributed to a fair price.
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 invited to submit proposals. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, which generally leads to better pricing and value for the government. The specific number of bidders and the details of the bidding process would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition and its impact on the final award price.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces. It ensures that the government receives the best possible value by considering a wide range of qualified contractors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Army and potentially environmental agencies, through the repair and upgrade of critical facilities. The services delivered involve heavy and civil engineering construction, specifically focused on FCCE (likely Flood Control and Coastal Engineering) repairs. The geographic impact is localized to Absecon, New Jersey, where the repairs will take place. The project will likely involve a significant workforce of skilled laborers, engineers, and project managers in the construction sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during the extensive repair work.
- Contract duration could be subject to delays due to weather or site-specific challenges.
- Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations during repair activities will be critical.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
- Award to an experienced contractor like Weeks Marine, Inc. indicates a higher likelihood of successful project completion.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, a critical component of the broader construction industry. This sector encompasses large-scale infrastructure projects such as bridges, dams, highways, and flood control systems. The market for such services is often characterized by large, specialized firms capable of handling complex projects with significant capital investment and technical expertise. The award value of $23.2 million is substantial, placing it among significant infrastructure investments. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed against other major civil engineering projects undertaken by federal or state agencies.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Weeks Marine, Inc. is a large company, suggesting that subcontracting opportunities may exist for smaller businesses within specialized trades. However, the primary award does not directly benefit small businesses through set-asides. The impact on the small business ecosystem will depend on the extent to which the prime contractor utilizes small business subcontractors for various project components.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the project's technical representatives within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which holds the contractor responsible for delivering the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific project details and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
- Coastal and Shoreline Protection Projects
- Flood Control Infrastructure
- Heavy Marine Construction Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost escalation due to long project duration.
- Risk of contractor underperformance on quality if cost pressures arise.
- Dependence on a limited number of bidders for competitive pricing.
Tags
construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, new-jersey, heavy-and-civil-engineering, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, large-contract, infrastructure-repair, coastal-engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.2 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC.. BASE BID - ABSECON FCCE REPAIR
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 $23.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-04-19. End: 2015-09-02.
What is the specific nature of the FCCE repair being undertaken, and what are the key performance metrics for this contract?
The contract identifies the work as 'ABSECON FCCE REPAIR.' FCCE likely stands for Flood Control and Coastal Engineering. The specific nature of the repair would detail the exact structures or systems being addressed, such as levees, seawalls, drainage systems, or related coastal infrastructure. Key performance metrics would typically include adherence to project timelines, quality of construction, compliance with environmental standards, and completion within the fixed price. Without the full contract statement of work, these specifics remain inferred. The contract duration of 866 days suggests a complex scope requiring meticulous planning and execution to ensure the long-term integrity and functionality of the repaired coastal or flood control assets.
How does the $23.2 million award compare to historical spending on similar FCCE repair projects by the Department of the Army?
Comparing the $23.2 million award to historical spending requires access to a database of past Army FCCE repair contracts. However, the value suggests a significant undertaking. The Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for much of the nation's civil works and coastal protection, frequently awards contracts in the multi-million dollar range for major repairs and new construction. Factors influencing historical spending include inflation, the scale of infrastructure degradation, and evolving engineering standards. This particular award, given its fixed-price nature and full and open competition, likely represents a market-driven price for the scope of work defined at the time of award. Further analysis would involve tracking spending trends for similar projects over several fiscal years to identify patterns and anomalies.
What is Weeks Marine, Inc.'s track record with the Department of Defense and specifically with large-scale civil engineering projects?
Weeks Marine, Inc. is a well-established marine construction company with a significant history of undertaking large-scale projects, including those for government entities. Their portfolio often includes dredging, marine structures, and infrastructure rehabilitation. A review of their contract history with the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies would reveal the extent of their experience with projects of similar scope and complexity. Their success rate, past performance evaluations, and any history of contract disputes or overruns would be critical indicators of their capability to successfully execute this $23.2 million Absecon FCCE repair. Given their specialization, it is probable they have a strong track record in this domain.
What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract for a project of this duration and complexity?
While fixed-price contracts offer cost certainty, they carry inherent risks for both the government and the contractor, especially for long-duration, complex projects like the Absecon FCCE repair. For the contractor (Weeks Marine, Inc.), the primary risk is underestimating costs, leading to reduced profit margins or even losses if unforeseen issues arise (e.g., subsurface conditions, material price escalations, extended weather delays). For the government, the risk is that the contractor may cut corners on quality to maintain profitability if costs escalate beyond their control, although quality assurance measures are in place to mitigate this. The 866-day duration increases the likelihood of encountering such unforeseen circumstances, making accurate initial bidding and robust project oversight crucial.
How does the number of bidders (2) in this full and open competition potentially impact the final price and value received by the government?
Having two bidders in a full and open competition suggests a moderate level of competition. While more bidders generally lead to more aggressive pricing, two qualified bidders can still create sufficient competitive pressure to yield a fair market price. The government benefits from comparing two distinct proposals, allowing for evaluation of technical approaches and pricing strategies. If the two bidders were highly capable and strongly motivated to win the contract, the price could be quite competitive. However, a larger number of bidders (e.g., 4-5 or more) typically provides a stronger guarantee of achieving the lowest possible price and exploring a wider range of innovative solutions, potentially offering even greater value to taxpayers.
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: SEALED BID
Solicitation ID: W912BU13B0007
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weeks Marine Inc (UEI: 044665230)
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: $23,243,055
Exercised Options: $23,243,055
Current Obligation: $23,243,055
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 127
Total Subaward Amount: $28,537,000
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-04-19
Current End Date: 2015-09-02
Potential End Date: 2015-09-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-02-13
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