DoD awards $5.56M for boat ramp construction and repairs in Tennessee

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,557,440 ($5.6M)

Contractor: Firewatch Contracting of Florida LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2026-01-30

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 425 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: THE WORK CONSISTS OF FURNISHING ALL PLANT, LABOR AND MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BOAT RAMP, REPAIRS TO EXISTING BOAT RAMP, DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE, SHADE STRUCTURES, ASPHALT PAVING, INSTALLATION OF DEADMAN ACHORS, STRIPING AND LANDSCAPING.

Place of Performance

Location: MEMPHIS, SHELBY County, TENNESSEE, 37501

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $5.6 million to FIREWATCH CONTRACTING OF FLORIDA LLC for work described as: THE WORK CONSISTS OF FURNISHING ALL PLANT, LABOR AND MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BOAT RAMP, REPAIRS TO EXISTING BOAT RAMP, DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE, SHADE STRUCTURES, ASPHALT PAVING, INSTALLATION OF DEADMAN ACHORS, STRIPING AND LANDSCAPING. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on infrastructure improvements including a new boat ramp, repairs, dumpster enclosure, shade structures, paving, and landscaping. 2. The project is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, indicating a clear scope and price. 3. Competition was conducted under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources', suggesting a competitive process with specific justifications for source exclusion. 4. The contract duration is 425 days, ending in March 2027. 5. The awarded contractor, Firewatch Contracting of Florida LLC, is responsible for all labor and materials. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237990 points to 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.56 million for heavy civil engineering construction, including a new boat ramp and associated infrastructure, appears within a reasonable range for such projects. However, without specific details on the scope of work for each component (e.g., size of the new ramp, extent of repairs, landscaping details), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar projects would require more granular data on the specific deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded, likely due to specific requirements or justifications. The presence of 5 bids suggests a moderate level of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery, but the exclusion of sources warrants further scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even with 5 bidders, could potentially lead to higher prices than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bids received, but the impact of source exclusion on the final price is a key consideration.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military personnel and their families stationed in Tennessee who will utilize the improved boat ramp facilities. The project delivers essential infrastructure upgrades, enhancing recreational access and potentially improving the quality of life at the military installation. Geographic impact is localized to the specific Department of the Army facility in Tennessee where the work is being performed. The contract supports jobs in the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, particularly in Florida (contractor location) and Tennessee (project location).

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition method requires careful review to ensure it was justified and did not unnecessarily restrict competition.
Limited public information on the specific performance metrics or quality control measures for this construction project.
The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, but unforeseen site conditions could still lead to change orders.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a competitive process with multiple bids received.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses tangible infrastructure needs, improving facilities for service members.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically NAICS code 237990. This sector involves the construction of infrastructure projects such as highways, streets, bridges, and public works. The market for such construction is often project-specific, influenced by government funding cycles and infrastructure needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be derived from similar military or public works construction projects in the region.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large businesses were eligible to bid. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless specific subcontracting opportunities arise from the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Army project management office. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified work. Transparency is generally provided through contract award databases, but detailed project oversight reports are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Military Base Infrastructure Improvements
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contracts
Army Corps of Engineers Construction Projects
Recreational Facility Construction

Risk Flags

Competition Method Justification
Contractor Past Performance
Scope of Work Clarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $5.6 million to FIREWATCH CONTRACTING OF FLORIDA LLC. THE WORK CONSISTS OF FURNISHING ALL PLANT, LABOR AND MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BOAT RAMP, REPAIRS TO EXISTING BOAT RAMP, DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE, SHADE STRUCTURES, ASPHALT PAVING, INSTALLATION OF DEADMAN ACHORS, STRIPING AND LANDSCAPING.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FIREWATCH CONTRACTING OF FLORIDA 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 $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-30. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of Firewatch Contracting of Florida LLC on similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Firewatch Contracting of Florida LLC on similar government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, including project types, values, timeliness of completion, and any reported issues or awards. Federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would be the primary sources for this analysis. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their experience and reliability for this specific heavy civil engineering project.

How does the awarded price compare to similar boat ramp construction projects?

The provided data does not include specific cost breakdowns or detailed scopes of work for the $5.56 million contract, making direct comparison to similar projects difficult. The value is for a comprehensive project including a new ramp, repairs, dumpster enclosure, shade structures, paving, and landscaping. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable projects with similar scale, complexity, and geographic location, then analyze their total costs and cost-per-unit metrics (e.g., cost per linear foot of ramp, cost per square foot of paving). The 'fair' rating suggests it's within a plausible range but lacks definitive comparative data.

What are the primary risks associated with this construction contract?

Key risks for this construction contract include potential cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil issues, environmental concerns), delays in material procurement or labor availability, and contractor performance issues. Given it's a firm-fixed-price contract, the contractor bears most of the financial risk, but change orders can arise. Weather delays in Tennessee could also impact the schedule. The 'exclusion of sources' in competition might also represent a risk if it led to a less competitive price than achievable otherwise.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method for this type of project?

The effectiveness of 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' depends heavily on the justification for excluding certain sources. If exclusions were based on highly specialized capabilities or security requirements essential for the project, it could be effective in ensuring the right contractor is selected. However, if exclusions were arbitrary or overly broad, it could limit competition and potentially increase costs for taxpayers. With 5 bids, competition was present, but the exclusion aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure it didn't compromise the best value outcome.

What is the historical spending trend for similar heavy and civil engineering construction contracts by the Department of the Army in Tennessee?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar contracts by the Department of the Army in Tennessee would require access to historical procurement data. This would involve querying databases for NAICS code 237990 or related construction codes within the specified agency and geographic region over several fiscal years. Such an analysis could reveal patterns in contract values, competition levels, and average pricing, providing context for the current $5.56 million award. Without this historical data, it's difficult to determine if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or typical level of spending for such projects.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912EQ26BA001

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2620 W KENNEDY BLVD, TAMPA, FL, 33609

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,557,440

Exercised Options: $5,557,440

Current Obligation: $5,557,440

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline