Army awards $24.9M contract for Brandon Road Lock and Dam miter gate work to J.F. Brennan Co

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,863,358 ($24.9M)

Contractor: J. F. Brennan Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-09-23

End Date: 2024-08-31

Contract Duration: 708 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN, BRANDON ROAD LOCK AND DAM, JOLIET, WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, MITER GATE INSTALLATION AND MACHINERY REPLACEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKDALE, WILL County, ILLINOIS, 60436

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.9 million to J. F. BRENNAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN, BRANDON ROAD LOCK AND DAM, JOLIET, WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, MITER GATE INSTALLATION AND MACHINERY REPLACEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical infrastructure repair and replacement at a key waterway. 2. Project addresses aging infrastructure and ensures continued navigation on the Illinois River. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and potential for cost certainty. 4. Competition level indicates a robust bidding process for this specialized construction work. 5. Project duration of nearly two years highlights the complexity and scale of the undertaking. 6. Location in Will County, Illinois, points to regional economic and logistical significance.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.9 million for miter gate installation and machinery replacement appears reasonable given the scope of work on a critical piece of infrastructure like the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific project details, similar large-scale civil engineering projects involving lock and dam repairs often fall within this general cost range. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor has a strong incentive to manage costs effectively, which can be a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The fact that it was competed suggests that the Army sought the best value through a competitive process. The number of bidders is not specified, but full and open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs through market forces and ensures that the government receives competitive pricing for essential infrastructure projects.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in maintaining vital inland waterway infrastructure. Ensures continued navigation and transportation of goods along the Illinois River. Supports regional economic activity in Will County, Illinois, through construction employment. Contributes to the overall efficiency and reliability of the nation's inland waterway system. Mitigates risks associated with potential failure of aging lock and dam components.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for schedule delays impacting navigation timelines.
Unforeseen site conditions could increase costs or extend duration.
Availability of specialized labor and equipment for complex machinery replacement.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition likely secured competitive pricing.
Project addresses critical infrastructure maintenance, reducing long-term failure risks.
Experienced contractor likely selected through a rigorous bidding process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically focusing on the maintenance and upgrade of critical water infrastructure. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a major player in this sector, responsible for managing and operating numerous locks and dams across the country. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to address aging infrastructure, ensure national security through reliable transportation routes, and comply with environmental regulations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale civil works projects, such as bridge construction, port development, or other waterway infrastructure upgrades.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the primary competition was open to all responsible sources, including large businesses. While there is no explicit small business set-aside, the prime contractor, J. F. Brennan Company, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill portions of the work. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the subcontracting opportunities offered and the ability of small businesses to compete for those roles.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, likely through contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, which incentivizes the contractor to adhere to the agreed-upon scope and cost. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award announcements and public reporting mechanisms. The Inspector General for the Department of Defense would have jurisdiction to investigate any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program
Inland Waterways Trust Fund
Mississippi River System Infrastructure
Lock and Dam Modernization Projects
Navigation Infrastructure Improvement Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule overruns
Risk of unforeseen site conditions
Dependency on specialized labor and equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.9 million to J. F. BRENNAN COMPANY, INC.. ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN, BRANDON ROAD LOCK AND DAM, JOLIET, WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS, MITER GATE INSTALLATION AND MACHINERY REPLACEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J. F. BRENNAN COMPANY, 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 $24.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-23. End: 2024-08-31.

What is the track record of J. F. Brennan Company, Inc. with the Department of Defense and similar infrastructure projects?

J. F. Brennan Company, Inc. has a history of performing work for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, particularly on marine construction and infrastructure projects. Their experience often includes work on locks, dams, and port facilities. While specific details on past performance metrics for this exact contract are not publicly available, their selection for a significant project like the Brandon Road Lock and Dam suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Reviewing their contract history with the Army Corps of Engineers and other relevant agencies would provide further insight into their performance, including on-time delivery, budget adherence, and quality of work on comparable projects.

How does the awarded amount of $24.9 million compare to similar miter gate replacement projects at other Army Corps of Engineers facilities?

Benchmarking the $24.9 million award for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam miter gate replacement requires comparing it to similar projects, which can be challenging due to variations in scope, complexity, location, and market conditions. However, large-scale lock and dam component replacements, especially those involving heavy machinery and structural work, often represent significant investments. Projects at other major waterway facilities, such as those on the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers, can incur costs in the tens of millions of dollars. Factors like the specific dimensions of the gates, the type of machinery involved, the site's accessibility, and the duration of necessary dewatering or operational shutdowns all influence the final cost. Without access to detailed cost breakdowns or data on comparable recent awards, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the awarded amount is within the expected range for such critical infrastructure work.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential schedule delays due to unforeseen site conditions (e.g., subsurface issues, unexpected structural problems), weather disruptions impacting construction timelines, and challenges in sourcing specialized labor or equipment for the miter gate machinery replacement. Another risk is the potential for cost overruns, although the firm fixed-price contract structure aims to mitigate this by placing the cost risk on the contractor. Mitigation strategies likely include thorough site investigations prior to award, detailed project planning with contingency measures, robust quality assurance processes, and close monitoring by the Army Corps of Engineers. The contractor's experience and the competitive bidding process also serve as risk-reduction factors, as they suggest a well-qualified entity is undertaking the work with a clear understanding of the potential challenges.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring cost control for this type of infrastructure project?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for controlling costs on infrastructure projects when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are understood. For the Brandon Road Lock and Dam miter gate replacement, an FFP contract incentivizes J. F. Brennan Company, Inc. to manage its costs efficiently and complete the project within the agreed-upon price. This shifts much of the financial risk to the contractor. However, if significant unforeseen issues arise that were not reasonably foreseeable during the bidding process, the FFP structure could lead to disputes or requests for contract modifications, potentially impacting the final cost. The success of the FFP in this case depends on the thoroughness of the initial project definition and the contractor's ability to manage risks effectively.

What is the historical spending trend for miter gate and lock machinery replacement projects by the Army Corps of Engineers?

Historical spending trends for miter gate and lock machinery replacement projects by the Army Corps of Engineers generally show consistent investment driven by the need to maintain the nation's aging inland waterway infrastructure. While specific aggregate data for 'miter gate replacement' alone might not be readily isolated, the Corps' overall civil works budget allocates significant funds annually towards operations, maintenance, and repair of locks and dams. Spending in this category is influenced by the age of the infrastructure, the criticality of the waterway, and the availability of federal funding. Over the past decade, there has been a recognized need for increased investment in infrastructure modernization, suggesting that spending on projects like this is likely to remain steady or potentially increase to address deferred maintenance and upgrade older systems to meet current standards.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912EK22R0018

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 818 BAINBRIDGE ST, LA CROSSE, WI, 54603

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: $24,863,358

Exercised Options: $24,863,358

Current Obligation: $24,863,358

Actual Outlays: $15,398,380

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline