DOD Awards $25.7M for 28 Bridge Erection Boats to Birdon America Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,666,006 ($25.7M)

Contractor: Birdon America Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-07-15

End Date: 2027-09-30

Contract Duration: 807 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: BRIDGE ERECTION BOAT (BEB). CONTRACT TO PROCURE SYSTEMS. DO TO PROCURE 28 BEBS

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80239

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.7 million to BIRDON AMERICA INC for work described as: BRIDGE ERECTION BOAT (BEB). CONTRACT TO PROCURE SYSTEMS. DO TO PROCURE 28 BEBS Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical infrastructure support capabilities. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and competition. 3. Potential for long-term reliance on a single supplier. 4. Procurement falls under the Boat Building sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $25.7 million for 28 Bridge Erection Boats suggests a per-unit cost of approximately $916,643. Without comparable contract data or a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to definitively assess if this pricing is optimal or reflects fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: $916,643

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competitive process. The rationale for the sole-source award needs further examination.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award could lead to inflated costs, directly impacting taxpayer funds allocated for defense infrastructure.

Public Impact

Enhances military engineering and disaster response capabilities. Supports rapid deployment of infrastructure in challenging environments. Ensures operational readiness for Army engineering units. Potential for follow-on contracts for maintenance and support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source procurement limits competition.
Lack of transparency in price justification.
Potential for vendor lock-in.

Positive Signals

Acquisition of critical engineering assets.
Supports national defense objectives.
Long-term contract duration provides stability.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the Boat Building sector, specifically for specialized military engineering equipment. Benchmarks for similar specialized vessel procurements are scarce, making direct cost comparisons challenging, especially for sole-source awards.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Birdon America Inc., a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the government is receiving fair value. Accountability for the justification of the non-competitive award is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Boat Building
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency on price justification.
Risk of vendor lock-in for future needs.
No small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.7 million to BIRDON AMERICA INC. BRIDGE ERECTION BOAT (BEB). CONTRACT TO PROCURE SYSTEMS. DO TO PROCURE 28 BEBS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIRDON AMERICA 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 $25.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-15. End: 2027-09-30.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without access to the specific justification documentation, it's impossible to detail the steps taken. However, standard procedures would involve market research to confirm no other sources exist and price analysis techniques to validate the proposed cost against independent government estimates or historical data.

What are the long-term implications of relying on a single supplier for Bridge Erection Boats, particularly regarding future pricing and innovation?

Long-term reliance on a single supplier can lead to increased costs over time as competition is eliminated. It may also stifle innovation, as the supplier has less incentive to invest in new technologies or cost-saving measures. This vendor lock-in can reduce the government's negotiating power for future procurements, maintenance, and upgrades.

How will the performance and effectiveness of these 28 Bridge Erection Boats be measured to ensure they meet the Department of the Army's operational requirements?

Performance and effectiveness will be measured through contractually defined milestones, acceptance testing, and operational deployment feedback. Key performance indicators (KPIs) related to deployment speed, structural integrity, operational uptime, and maintenance requirements will likely be established. Post-delivery reviews and user assessments will provide crucial data on their effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Ship and Boat Building › Boat Building

Product/Service Code: PREFAB STRUCTURES/SCAFFOLDING

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4965 KINGSTON ST, DENVER, CO, 80239

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,666,006

Exercised Options: $25,666,006

Current Obligation: $25,666,006

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W56HZV19D0093

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline