DoD awards $67.5M contract for Missouri fish passage improvements, with 2 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $67,526,288 ($67.5M)

Contractor: J. F. Brennan Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2027-02-15

Contract Duration: 868 days

Daily Burn Rate: $77.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: LD22 FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: NEW LONDON, RALLS County, MISSOURI, 63459

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $67.5 million to J. F. BRENNAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: LD22 FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of heavy civil engineering construction. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Potential risks include project delays and cost overruns common in large infrastructure projects. 4. Performance will be measured against project milestones for fish passage functionality. 5. This contract fits within the broader category of environmental infrastructure and conservation spending. 6. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $67.5 million for the LD22 FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT seems aligned with the scale of heavy civil engineering and environmental restoration work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale aquatic ecosystem restoration projects, this figure appears competitive. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the project scope and associated costs, aiming for cost certainty. However, without specific details on the project's complexity and duration, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging.

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 bids. With two bidders participating, the competition level is moderate. While two bidders suggest some level of market interest, a higher number of bidders typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government. The agency's ability to attract more than one qualified bidder is a positive sign for market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: The moderate competition level means taxpayers likely benefited from a competitive bidding process, though there may be room for further price reduction with increased bidder participation in future similar procurements.

Public Impact

The project directly benefits aquatic ecosystems in Missouri by improving fish passage. It will facilitate the movement of fish populations, supporting biodiversity and ecological health. The geographic impact is concentrated in Missouri, specifically where the LD22 project is located. The project may create temporary construction jobs in the civil engineering and environmental sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for schedule delays in complex civil engineering projects.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and timeline.
Ensuring long-term effectiveness of fish passage structures requires ongoing monitoring.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition indicates a viable market for these services.
Award to an established contractor suggests a degree of reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically focusing on environmental infrastructure and aquatic ecosystem restoration. The market for such projects is driven by federal and state environmental regulations, infrastructure investment initiatives, and conservation efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks would include other large-scale dam removal, river restoration, and fish passage projects managed by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or the Bureau of Reclamation. The total contract value is significant for a single project within this specialized niche.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, J. F. BRENNAN COMPANY, INC., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the competition was open to all qualified firms, and the market dynamics did not necessitate or favor a small business focus for this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Army, with specific project managers overseeing progress and adherence to contract terms. Accountability measures will be tied to the contract's performance metrics, including timely completion of milestones and the successful implementation of fish passage solutions. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed project-specific oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
National Fish Passage Program
Environmental Infrastructure Projects
Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule overruns
Risk of unforeseen site conditions
Environmental impact during construction phase
Long-term effectiveness of structures

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $67.5 million to J. F. BRENNAN COMPANY, INC.. LD22 FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

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 $67.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2027-02-15.

What is the historical spending pattern for J. F. BRENNAN COMPANY, INC. with the Department of Defense?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns of J. F. BRENNAN COMPANY, INC. with the Department of Defense (DoD) is crucial for understanding their track record and capacity. While specific historical data for this contractor is not provided in the prompt, a comprehensive review would involve examining past contracts awarded by the DoD to this entity. This would include the total value of contracts, the types of services rendered (e.g., construction, dredging, environmental services), contract performance ratings, and any instances of contract modifications or disputes. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget project completions with the DoD would indicate a lower risk profile for this new award. Conversely, a pattern of delays, cost overruns, or performance issues might raise concerns about the contractor's ability to execute the current project effectively.

How does the per-unit cost of this fish passage improvement compare to similar projects nationwide?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost of this fish passage improvement project against similar endeavors nationwide is essential for assessing value for money. However, the provided data does not include specific unit cost metrics (e.g., cost per linear foot of passage, cost per structure installed). To conduct such a comparison, one would need to identify comparable projects in terms of scope, complexity, geographic location, and environmental conditions. Key metrics to compare might include cost per acre of restored habitat, cost per mile of fish passage enabled, or cost per structure. Without these granular details, a precise per-unit cost comparison is not feasible. Generally, large-scale civil engineering projects involving environmental restoration can have highly variable costs due to site-specific challenges, material costs, and labor rates.

What are the primary risks associated with the LD22 FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with the LD22 FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT likely stem from its nature as a large-scale civil engineering and environmental construction undertaking. These risks can include unforeseen subsurface conditions (geotechnical issues), extreme weather events impacting construction schedules, potential delays in obtaining necessary permits or regulatory approvals, and the complexity of integrating new structures with existing aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, the contractor's performance and adherence to the firm fixed-price contract are critical. Mitigation strategies typically involve thorough site investigations prior to award, robust project management plans, contingency planning for weather and unforeseen conditions, clear communication channels between the contractor and the agency, and performance bonds. The fixed-price contract itself shifts some financial risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage costs and schedules effectively.

What is the expected impact of this contract on fish populations in the affected Missouri waterways?

The expected impact of this contract on fish populations in the affected Missouri waterways is positive and centers on restoring natural migratory patterns. Fish passage improvements are designed to remove or mitigate barriers that impede the upstream and downstream movement of fish. This allows fish to access critical habitats for spawning, feeding, and rearing, which are essential for their life cycles and overall population health. By improving connectivity between different parts of the river system, the project can enhance genetic diversity within fish populations, increase resilience to environmental changes, and potentially boost recreational fishing opportunities. The specific species benefiting will depend on the location and type of barriers being addressed, but the general aim is to support a healthier and more robust aquatic ecosystem.

How does the $67.5 million contract value compare to the total annual federal spending on fish passage and aquatic ecosystem restoration?

The $67.5 million contract value represents a significant investment in a single fish passage improvement project. To contextualize this against total annual federal spending, one would need to examine broader budget allocations for agencies involved in aquatic ecosystem restoration, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Federal spending on fish passage and related restoration efforts can fluctuate annually based on appropriations, infrastructure bills, and specific program priorities. While $67.5 million is substantial for one project, it is likely a component of a much larger federal commitment to environmental infrastructure and conservation. For instance, USACE's Civil Works program alone manages billions of dollars in projects annually, which include ecosystem restoration components.

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: W912EK24R0007

Offers Received: 2

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: $67,526,288

Exercised Options: $67,526,288

Current Obligation: $67,526,288

Actual Outlays: $9,566,281

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline