Army awards $28.4M contract for hydraulic beach fill, highlighting significant coastal resilience investment
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,405,405 ($28.4M)
Contractor: Weeks Marine, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2013-08-14
End Date: 2014-11-15
Contract Duration: 458 days
Daily Burn Rate: $62.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: HYDRAULIC BEACH FILL
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKAWAY PARK, QUEENS County, NEW YORK, 11694
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $28.4 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC. for work described as: HYDRAULIC BEACH FILL Key points: 1. Contract value represents a substantial investment in coastal infrastructure and environmental restoration. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding environment for specialized construction services. 3. Contract duration of 458 days indicates a complex, multi-phase project requiring sustained effort. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and provide predictability for the government. 5. Project location in New York points to a focus on addressing specific regional coastal erosion challenges. 6. The absence of small business set-asides may indicate a focus on large-scale, specialized capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $28.4 million for hydraulic beach fill appears reasonable given the scope of work typically involved in large-scale coastal restoration projects. Without specific benchmarks for similar hydraulic fill operations in the New York region, direct per-unit cost comparisons are challenging. However, the duration of the contract (458 days) and the nature of the service suggest a significant undertaking. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator for value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely solicited and considered. The presence of two bidders suggests a degree of competition, though the exact number of proposals received and the evaluation process would provide a clearer picture of the competitive intensity. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces. It also allows the government to access the best available services and technologies.
Public Impact
Residents and businesses in coastal New York benefit from enhanced protection against storm surges and erosion. The project delivers critical beach nourishment and dune restoration services, improving environmental quality. Geographic impact is concentrated in specific New York coastal areas requiring immediate attention. The project likely supports a specialized construction workforce, including engineers, operators, and laborers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen environmental conditions arise during the fill process.
- Dependence on weather conditions could lead to schedule delays and impact overall project timeline.
- Ensuring long-term effectiveness of the fill against ongoing erosion requires careful planning and execution.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to price fluctuations.
- Awarding to a single contractor streamlines project management and ensures a unified approach to execution.
- The project addresses a critical need for coastal defense, contributing to community safety and economic stability.
Sector Analysis
The hydraulic beach fill contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically addressing coastal protection and environmental remediation. This sector is crucial for maintaining and improving public infrastructure, particularly in areas vulnerable to natural disasters. Spending in this area often fluctuates based on federal and state infrastructure initiatives, environmental concerns, and disaster recovery efforts. Comparable benchmarks would involve other large-scale dredging, land reclamation, and coastal defense projects.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the scope and specialized nature of hydraulic beach fill operations may be better suited to larger firms with the necessary equipment and expertise. The absence of small business participation could limit opportunities for smaller entities in this specific project.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Army. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by fixing the total cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed project execution oversight is internal.
Related Government Programs
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
- Coastal Zone Management Programs
- Beach Erosion Control Projects
- Disaster Relief and Recovery Funding
Risk Flags
- Environmental compliance risks
- Weather-related delays
- Equipment availability and maintenance
- Subsurface condition variability
Tags
construction, department-of-defense, hydraulic-beach-fill, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, coastal-protection, new-york, heavy-civil-engineering, weeks-marine-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $28.4 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC.. HYDRAULIC BEACH FILL
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 $28.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-08-14. End: 2014-11-15.
What is the historical spending pattern for hydraulic beach fill contracts by the Department of the Army in New York?
Analyzing historical spending for hydraulic beach fill contracts by the Department of the Army in New York requires access to detailed federal procurement data. While this specific contract is for $28.4 million, understanding the broader trend involves looking at the frequency, value, and duration of similar contracts awarded over the past 5-10 years. Factors such as major storm events, changes in environmental regulations, and shifts in infrastructure priorities can significantly influence spending patterns. Without a comprehensive historical dataset for this specific service and region, it's difficult to establish a definitive pattern. However, it is reasonable to assume that spending would increase following significant coastal damage from hurricanes or other severe weather events, as well as in response to long-term coastal erosion mitigation strategies.
How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for hydraulic beach fill services?
Benchmarking the awarded price of $28.4 million for hydraulic beach fill requires detailed cost data specific to the project's scope, volume of material, distance of transport, and site conditions. Industry benchmarks are often proprietary or vary significantly based on geographic location, environmental considerations, and the specific type of fill material used. Hydraulic beach fill is a complex process involving specialized dredging equipment and expertise. Without granular data on the cubic yards of sand to be placed, the borrow site characteristics, and the pumping distance, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests the government sought to establish a clear cost ceiling, implying a thorough cost analysis was likely conducted prior to award.
What are the primary risks associated with this hydraulic beach fill contract?
The primary risks associated with this hydraulic beach fill contract include environmental factors, logistical challenges, and potential performance issues. Environmental risks could involve encountering unexpected subsurface conditions (e.g., debris, contaminated sediment) at the borrow site or the placement area, which could necessitate costly remediation or project delays. Logistical risks involve the availability and operational efficiency of specialized dredging equipment and the reliability of the marine transport infrastructure. Performance risks relate to the contractor's ability to meet the specified fill volumes, achieve the desired compaction and grading, and adhere to the project timeline, especially given the 458-day duration which is susceptible to weather disruptions. Ensuring compliance with environmental permits and regulations also presents an ongoing risk.
What is the track record of WEEKS MARINE, INC. in performing similar large-scale coastal construction projects?
WEEKS MARINE, INC. has a significant track record in marine construction, including dredging, beach nourishment, and port development projects. Their experience often involves large-scale civil engineering works requiring specialized marine equipment and extensive project management capabilities. Information regarding their past performance on similar hydraulic beach fill contracts, including project size, complexity, adherence to schedule and budget, and client satisfaction, would be available through federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov) and potentially through industry reviews or case studies. A review of their contract history would reveal their capacity to handle projects of this magnitude and complexity, providing insight into their reliability and expertise in executing the current contract.
How does the competition level (2 bidders) impact the value proposition for the government?
A competition level with two bidders suggests a moderately competitive environment. While more bidders generally lead to greater price pressure and potentially better value, two bidders still provide a basis for comparison and negotiation. The government can leverage the proposals from both entities to assess pricing, technical approaches, and overall value. If the two bidders were highly qualified and submitted competitive offers, the value proposition for the government remains strong. However, if the pool of potential bidders is known to be larger, a lower number of actual bidders might indicate barriers to entry or a lack of sufficient interest, which could slightly diminish the competitive advantage and potentially impact the final price achieved compared to a scenario with numerous competitive bids.
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: W912DS13B0014
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: $28,405,405
Exercised Options: $28,405,405
Current Obligation: $28,405,405
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 78
Total Subaward Amount: $11,602,425
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-08-14
Current End Date: 2014-11-15
Potential End Date: 2014-11-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-03-28
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