Army awards $27.9M contract for Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation, highlighting significant civil engineering investment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,882,800 ($27.9M)

Contractor: Harry Pepper & Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-09-16

End Date: 2021-08-07

Contract Duration: 1,786 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF HERBERT HOOVER DIKE REHABILITATION STRUCTURE REPLACEMENTS, S-290 (IP-2) AND S-292 (IP-1) RECONSTRUCTION

Place of Performance

Location: OKEECHOBEE, GLADES County, FLORIDA, 34974

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.9 million to HARRY PEPPER & ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF HERBERT HOOVER DIKE REHABILITATION STRUCTURE REPLACEMENTS, S-290 (IP-2) AND S-292 (IP-1) RECONSTRUCTION Key points: 1. Contract value represents a substantial investment in critical infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding environment for this type of work. 3. Contract duration of nearly five years indicates a complex and lengthy project. 4. Project location in Florida points to specific regional infrastructure needs. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27.9 million for the Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation appears reasonable given the scope of heavy civil engineering construction. Benchmarking against similar large-scale dike and levee repair projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that cost overruns are primarily the contractor's responsibility, which is a positive indicator for government cost control.

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. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and quality for the government. The presence of three bidders, as suggested by the 'no' field, further supports the notion of a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of contractors to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the communities and ecosystems protected by the rehabilitated Herbert Hoover Dike. Services delivered include reconstruction and rehabilitation of critical flood control structures. The geographic impact is concentrated in Florida, specifically around Lake Okeechobee. The project likely supports a skilled construction workforce in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for schedule delays given the long duration and complexity of large infrastructure projects.
Ensuring long-term durability and effectiveness of the rehabilitation work requires rigorous oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost escalation risks for the government.
The project addresses critical national infrastructure needs for flood control.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, a vital part of the nation's infrastructure development and maintenance. Spending in this sector is often driven by government initiatives to upgrade aging infrastructure, improve resilience against natural disasters, and support economic development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale federal projects for dam, levee, and dike rehabilitation, which can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the scale and complexity.

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 primary contractor, Harry Pepper & Associates Inc., is likely a larger entity. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any small business subcontracting plans were part of the award or are being implemented.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for civil works projects. Accountability measures would include adherence to contract specifications, performance milestones, and quality control. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting of federal spending. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation Projects
Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program
Flood Control Infrastructure Projects
Federal Infrastructure Spending

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions
Risk of weather-related delays
Complexity of large-scale infrastructure rehabilitation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.9 million to HARRY PEPPER & ASSOCIATES INC. IGF::CT::IGF HERBERT HOOVER DIKE REHABILITATION STRUCTURE REPLACEMENTS, S-290 (IP-2) AND S-292 (IP-1) RECONSTRUCTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARRY PEPPER & ASSOCIATES 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 $27.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-16. End: 2021-08-07.

What is the track record of Harry Pepper & Associates Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of the Army?

Harry Pepper & Associates Inc. has a history of securing federal contracts, primarily with the Department of the Army and other agencies involved in construction and infrastructure. Their contract portfolio often includes projects related to civil works, marine construction, and facility maintenance. Analyzing their past performance on similar projects, including any reported issues or successes, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability for executing the Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation. A review of their contract history can reveal patterns in project completion times, cost performance, and quality of work, which are crucial for assessing their suitability for this significant undertaking.

How does the awarded amount of $27.9 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for this specific phase of the Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation?

The provided data indicates an awarded amount of $27,882,799.85. To assess if this represents good value, it needs to be compared against the government's initial cost estimates or budget allocated for this specific phase (S-290 and S-292 reconstruction). If the awarded amount is significantly lower than the estimate, it suggests successful cost negotiation or competitive bidding. Conversely, if it's higher, it might warrant further scrutiny into the reasons for the cost increase. Without the original estimate, a definitive judgment on value-for-money is difficult, but the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty for the government.

What are the primary risks associated with the Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation project, and how are they being managed?

Key risks for the Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation include potential environmental impacts during construction, unforeseen geological conditions, weather-related delays (especially given its Florida location), and the complexity of working with aging infrastructure. The Army Corps of Engineers, as the contracting agency, would have established risk management plans. These typically involve detailed site investigations, contingency planning for weather events, strict environmental compliance protocols, and robust quality assurance measures. The firm-fixed-price contract also shifts some financial risk to the contractor. Monitoring contractor performance and adherence to safety and environmental standards are crucial for mitigating these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation program, and how does this $27.9 million contract fit into the overall investment?

The Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation is a long-term, multi-phase project involving significant federal investment over many years. Historical spending would reflect various phases of assessment, design, and construction. This $27.9 million contract represents a specific, substantial allocation for the reconstruction of structures S-290 (IP-2) and S-292 (IP-1). To understand its place in the overall investment, one would need to examine the total allocated budget for the entire dike rehabilitation program and compare this contract's value to previous and planned expenditures. This contract appears to be a significant component of the ongoing efforts to ensure the dike's integrity.

How effective has the Army Corps of Engineers been in managing similar large-scale civil engineering construction contracts in the past?

The Army Corps of Engineers has extensive experience managing large-scale civil engineering projects, including numerous dam, levee, and flood control initiatives. Their effectiveness can be assessed by reviewing project outcomes, adherence to budgets and schedules, and the long-term performance of completed infrastructure. While specific project successes and challenges vary, the Corps generally employs rigorous project management, contracting, and oversight processes. Analyzing their performance metrics on comparable projects, such as the overall success rate of dike rehabilitations or the frequency of cost overruns and delays on similar contracts, would provide a clearer picture of their management effectiveness in this domain.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912EP16R0011

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Roberts Immigration LAW Group, LLC

Address: 9000 REGENCY SQUARE BLVD FL 1, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 32211

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,895,328

Exercised Options: $27,895,328

Current Obligation: $27,882,800

Contract Characteristics

Consolidated Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline