Army awards $28.1M dredging contract to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. for Tampa Harbor maintenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,107,824 ($28.1M)

Contractor: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock CO, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-08-29

End Date: 2023-11-09

Contract Duration: 437 days

Daily Burn Rate: $64.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TAMPA HARBOR MAINTENANCE DREDGING HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33601

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.1 million to GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CO, LLC for work described as: TAMPA HARBOR MAINTENANCE DREDGING HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, providing cost certainty. 3. The duration of 437 days indicates a substantial project scope. 4. The awardee, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., is a significant player in the dredging industry. 5. The project is located in Hillsborough County, Florida, impacting local infrastructure. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237990 points to heavy civil engineering construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.1 million for harbor maintenance dredging appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Without specific benchmarks for Tampa Harbor dredging projects, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set cost, which can be advantageous. The number of bids received (3) indicates some level of competition, which typically helps in achieving fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. Three bids were received, indicating a moderate level of competition for this specific project. While three bidders suggest some market interest, a higher number could potentially lead to more aggressive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the government is likely to receive a fair price for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in maintaining navigable waterways. Ensures the continued accessibility and operational capacity of Tampa Harbor for commercial and recreational vessels. Supports maritime trade and economic activity in the Tampa Bay region. Potentially impacts local employment in skilled labor for dredging operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen environmental conditions arise during dredging.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical infrastructure maintenance task.
Risk of project delays due to weather or permitting issues.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Awardee has experience in large-scale dredging projects.
Project is essential for maintaining a key U.S. port.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically focusing on dredging services. The market for dredging is specialized, often dominated by a few large, experienced firms capable of undertaking complex projects. The value of this contract is significant within its niche, contributing to the broader infrastructure spending in the U.S. comparable projects often involve maintaining channels, ports, and waterways across the nation.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the contracting agency. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price definitive contract structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services at an agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific project-level oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Inland Waterways Trust Fund
Port Infrastructure Development Program
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund

Risk Flags

Environmental Compliance
Project Schedule Adherence
Sediment Disposal Management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.1 million to GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CO, LLC. TAMPA HARBOR MAINTENANCE DREDGING HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK CO, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-29. End: 2023-11-09.

What is the historical spending by the Department of the Army on harbor maintenance dredging in Florida?

Historical spending data for the Department of the Army on harbor maintenance dredging specifically within Florida is not directly available in this dataset. However, the Army Corps of Engineers manages numerous dredging projects nationwide, with significant annual budgets allocated to maintaining the nation's waterways. The total federal spending on dredging can fluctuate based on infrastructure needs, environmental regulations, and congressional appropriations. To ascertain specific historical spending in Florida, one would need to consult detailed Army Corps of Engineers budget reports and contract award databases, filtering for relevant projects and geographic locations over several fiscal years.

How does the awarded price compare to similar dredging contracts for harbors of comparable size and complexity?

A precise comparison of the awarded price ($28.1 million) to similar dredging contracts is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable projects, including their scope, duration, specific dredging requirements (e.g., material type, depth), and geographic location. However, the firm fixed-price nature of this contract suggests a negotiated value. The fact that three bids were received indicates some market competition, which generally helps in achieving a price that is competitive within the industry. Factors such as the specific challenges of Tampa Harbor, such as sediment type and environmental considerations, would influence the final price.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this dredging contract?

Key performance indicators for a harbor maintenance dredging contract typically focus on the successful removal of specified volumes of sediment to achieve and maintain required channel depths and widths. This includes adherence to environmental permits and regulations during the dredging process, such as managing turbidity and disposal of dredged material. Timely completion of the contract within the agreed-upon schedule (437 days) is another critical KPI. The quality of the work, ensuring that the dredged material meets specifications and that the channel remains clear, is also paramount. Performance may also be assessed based on the contractor's safety record and responsiveness to any unforeseen issues.

What is the track record of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. in executing similar federal contracts?

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., LLC is a major player in the dredging industry and has a significant track record of executing large-scale federal contracts, particularly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They are known for their extensive fleet of specialized vessels and their experience in various dredging environments, including maintenance, capital, and environmental dredging. Their past performance on similar projects, such as maintaining major ports and waterways across the United States, suggests a capability to handle complex projects like the Tampa Harbor maintenance. A detailed review of their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any disputes or claims, would provide a more in-depth understanding of their reliability.

What are the potential environmental risks associated with this dredging project and how are they mitigated?

Harbor maintenance dredging projects carry potential environmental risks, including the disturbance of benthic habitats, increased turbidity in the water column affecting aquatic life, and the potential for encountering contaminated sediments. Mitigation strategies are typically outlined in the project's environmental permits and management plans. These often include measures such as silt curtains to contain turbidity, careful selection of dredged material placement sites (e.g., confined disposal facilities or beneficial reuse), and monitoring of water quality and marine life. The specific environmental risks and mitigation measures for the Tampa Harbor project would be detailed in the contract's environmental compliance documents and overseen by regulatory agencies.

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 BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912EP22B0004

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation

Address: 9811 KATY FWY STE 1200, HOUSTON, TX, 77024

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,107,824

Exercised Options: $28,107,824

Current Obligation: $28,107,824

Actual Outlays: $6,410,507

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline