KISSIMMEE RIVER RESTORATION contract awarded to WRS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc. for $19.04M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,036,829 ($19.0M)

Contractor: WRS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-02-10

End Date: 2012-10-25

Contract Duration: 988 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TAS::96 3134::TAS RECOVERYPROJECT#::12222::RP# KISSIMMEE RIVER RESTORATION C-37 ENLARGEMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE WALES, POLK County, FLORIDA, 33898

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.0 million to WRS INFRASTRUCTURE & ENVIRONMENT, INC. for work described as: TAS::96 3134::TAS RECOVERYPROJECT#::12222::RP# KISSIMMEE RIVER RESTORATION C-37 ENLARGEMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES Key points: 1. Contract value of $19.04M for restoration efforts. 2. Awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating a significant federal investment in environmental projects. 3. The contract duration of 988 days suggests a complex and lengthy undertaking. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type implies predictable costs for the government. 5. The project is located in Florida, a state with significant ecological restoration needs. 6. This contract falls under 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction', a broad category. 7. The absence of small business set-aside suggests the prime contractor is not a small business, and subcontracting opportunities may be limited.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $19.04M for the Kissimmee River Restoration project appears reasonable given the scope of civil engineering and environmental work involved. Benchmarking against similar large-scale ecological restoration projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps in cost control, but the final cost is dependent on the contractor's efficiency in executing the defined scope.

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 considered. This competitive process is generally expected to yield favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The presence of six bidders (no: 6) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of specialized civil engineering work.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring the government secures the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the ecosystems of the Kissimmee River and surrounding Florida wetlands, with improved water quality and habitat restoration. Services delivered include C-37 enlargement and miscellaneous features, crucial for the river's ecological health. The geographic impact is concentrated in Florida, specifically within the Kissimmee River basin. Workforce implications include employment for engineers, construction workers, environmental specialists, and support staff involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen environmental conditions arise during construction.
Dependence on the contractor's expertise in managing complex civil engineering and environmental restoration projects.
Risk of project delays due to weather or permitting issues common in large-scale construction.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses a significant environmental restoration need, aligning with conservation goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically focusing on environmental restoration. This sector is characterized by large-scale infrastructure projects, often involving significant capital investment and specialized engineering expertise. The market size for such projects can be substantial, driven by government initiatives for environmental protection and infrastructure development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale river restoration, wetland mitigation, or flood control projects undertaken by federal or state agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the prime contractor, WRS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc., is likely a larger entity capable of handling the full scope of work. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether WRS engages small businesses as subcontractors, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified outputs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific project oversight details are not provided. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Kissimmee River Restoration Program
Everglades Restoration Projects
Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Quality Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental unforeseen conditions
Contractor performance risk
Weather-related delays

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.0 million to WRS INFRASTRUCTURE & ENVIRONMENT, INC.. TAS::96 3134::TAS RECOVERYPROJECT#::12222::RP# KISSIMMEE RIVER RESTORATION C-37 ENLARGEMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WRS INFRASTRUCTURE & ENVIRONMENT, 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 $19.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-02-10. End: 2012-10-25.

What is the track record of WRS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc. on similar federal contracts?

WRS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc. has a history of performing civil engineering and construction projects for federal agencies. While specific details on past performance for similar large-scale environmental restoration projects are not immediately available from this data snippet, their award on this significant Kissimmee River Restoration contract suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance reviews and any disputes or claims on prior projects, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record. Examining their portfolio of completed projects, particularly those involving riverine or wetland restoration, would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or budget for this phase of the Kissimmee River Restoration?

The provided data indicates an awarded amount of $19.04 million for the C-37 enlargement and miscellaneous features. Without access to the government's initial cost estimates, budget allocations, or the bids submitted by other competitors, it is challenging to definitively assess whether this amount represents a good value or if it was significantly above or below expectations. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with six bidders suggests that the price was deemed acceptable by the contracting authority, likely falling within the competitive range of the bids received. Further analysis would require comparing this award to the government's independent government cost estimate (IGCE) and the range of bids submitted.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract and its execution?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential environmental challenges, such as unforeseen soil conditions or hydrological complexities during the C-37 enlargement, which could lead to scope creep or delays. Execution risks involve the contractor's ability to manage a complex construction schedule, coordinate multiple work elements, and maintain quality control. Given the nature of civil engineering and environmental projects, weather-related delays are also a significant risk, particularly in Florida. Furthermore, ensuring compliance with all environmental regulations and permitting requirements throughout the project lifecycle is critical. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some of the cost risk to the contractor, but significant unforeseen issues could still impact project timelines and potentially lead to change orders.

How effective has the Kissimmee River Restoration program been historically, and does this contract contribute to its overall success?

The Kissimmee River Restoration program is widely recognized as a major success in ecological restoration, aiming to re-establish the natural flow and ecological functions of the river. Historically, the program has involved converting canals back into meandering river channels, restoring wetlands, and improving water quality. This specific contract, focusing on C-37 enlargement and miscellaneous features, directly contributes to the physical transformation and functional restoration of the river system. Its success is integral to achieving the program's broader goals of enhancing habitat, increasing fish and wildlife populations, and improving water management in South Florida. The program's effectiveness is often measured by ecological indicators like wading bird populations, fish diversity, and water quality metrics.

What are the historical spending patterns for the Kissimmee River Restoration program or similar Army Corps of Engineers projects?

Historical spending on the Kissimmee River Restoration program has been substantial, spanning several decades and involving multiple phases and contracts. The Army Corps of Engineers manages numerous large-scale civil works projects, including flood control, navigation, and environmental restoration, which collectively represent billions of dollars in federal expenditure annually. Spending patterns for such programs are often characterized by significant upfront investment in planning and design, followed by multi-year construction phases. Funding levels can fluctuate based on congressional appropriations, program priorities, and the availability of federal resources. Analyzing historical spending requires examining budget documents, appropriation acts, and contract databases for the Army Corps of Engineers and specific programs like Kissimmee River Restoration to understand the scale and timing of investments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912EP10R0005

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 221 HOBBS ST STE 108, TAMPA, FL, 33619

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,076,258

Exercised Options: $19,036,829

Current Obligation: $19,036,829

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline