David Boland Inc. awarded $17.7M for Galveston Seawall repairs following Hurricane Ike

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,730,199 ($17.7M)

Contractor: David Boland Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-04-10

End Date: 2010-05-29

Contract Duration: 414 days

Daily Burn Rate: $42.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: GALVESTON SEAWALL, FCCE HURRICANE IKE REPAIRS

Place of Performance

Location: GALVESTON, GALVESTON County, TEXAS, 77553

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.7 million to DAVID BOLAND INC for work described as: GALVESTON SEAWALL, FCCE HURRICANE IKE REPAIRS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scale of post-disaster reconstruction. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding environment. 3. Contract duration of 414 days indicates a significant, multi-phase project. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially benefiting the government. 5. Project location in Texas highlights the geographic impact of hurricane recovery efforts. 6. The contract falls under heavy and civil engineering construction, a critical infrastructure sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.7 million for extensive seawall repairs following a major hurricane is within a reasonable range for such large-scale civil engineering projects. Benchmarking against similar post-disaster reconstruction efforts would provide further context, but the scope of work, including heavy civil engineering, suggests a substantial investment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government when the scope is well-defined, as it caps costs.

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 5 bidders, the competition level suggests a healthy market response for this type of specialized construction work. This level of competition is generally expected to drive more competitive pricing and encourage efficiency from the winning contractor.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition for this significant reconstruction project likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome for taxpayers by fostering a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Residents and businesses in Galveston, Texas, benefit from the restored and strengthened seawall, enhancing protection against future storm surges. The project delivers critical heavy and civil engineering construction services, essential for coastal infrastructure resilience. The geographic impact is concentrated in Galveston, Texas, a region particularly vulnerable to hurricanes. The project likely supported local and regional employment in the construction sector during its execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, though mitigated by fixed-price contract.
Contractor performance risk, especially given the urgency and scale of post-disaster work.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
Project addresses critical infrastructure needs for coastal protection.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, which encompasses the construction of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, dams, and coastal defenses. The market for such services is often characterized by large, complex projects requiring specialized equipment and expertise. Spending in this sector is heavily influenced by government infrastructure investment, disaster recovery funding, and economic development initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale civil works projects undertaken by federal, state, or local governments.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor, David Boland Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data, the scale of the contract suggests it is a larger entity. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Department of the Army contract would typically involve contract officers, contracting specialists, and potentially quality assurance representatives to monitor performance, adherence to specifications, and timely completion. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific oversight reports or inspector general involvement would depend on the nature of any issues that arose during the contract's lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Hurricane Recovery Programs
Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Department of Transportation Infrastructure Grants
National Flood Insurance Program

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contractor performance risk in executing large-scale post-disaster repairs.
Weather-related delays impacting project timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.7 million to DAVID BOLAND INC. GALVESTON SEAWALL, FCCE HURRICANE IKE REPAIRS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DAVID BOLAND 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 $17.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-10. End: 2010-05-29.

What is the track record of David Boland Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in disaster recovery or heavy civil engineering?

A review of federal contract databases indicates that David Boland Inc. has been awarded multiple federal contracts, primarily with the Department of Defense and the Army Corps of Engineers. These contracts often involve construction, repair, and maintenance services, including significant civil engineering projects. While specific details on their performance on every contract are not publicly available, their consistent award of contracts in this domain suggests a level of established capability and experience. For contracts related to disaster recovery, their involvement in the Galveston Seawall repairs post-Hurricane Ike demonstrates experience in responding to urgent infrastructure needs following major events. Further analysis would involve examining past performance evaluations and any documented issues or successes on prior federal awards.

How does the $17.7 million contract value compare to similar seawall repair or coastal defense projects?

The $17.7 million contract value for the Galveston Seawall repairs following Hurricane Ike is substantial, reflecting the scale and complexity of post-disaster coastal infrastructure reconstruction. To benchmark this value effectively, comparisons should be made with other large-scale civil engineering projects focused on coastal protection, flood control, or major infrastructure repair after natural disasters. Projects involving significant earthmoving, concrete work, and specialized marine construction, such as seawall reinforcement or new construction, can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the geographic location, specific engineering requirements, and the extent of damage. Given that Hurricane Ike caused widespread devastation, this award appears to be in line with the expected costs for such a critical and extensive repair effort.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of heavy civil engineering construction contract, and how were they managed?

Primary risks in heavy civil engineering construction contracts include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil instability, underground obstructions), weather delays, material cost fluctuations, labor availability, and contractor performance issues. For this contract, the firm-fixed-price (FFP) structure inherently shifts the risk of cost overruns due to material or labor price changes, and potentially unforeseen site conditions, to the contractor, David Boland Inc. The contract duration of 414 days also implies a significant project timeline, increasing exposure to potential delays. Management of these risks would typically involve thorough pre-award site assessments, detailed contract specifications, robust project management by the contracting agency (Department of the Army), and potentially performance bonds to ensure completion. The full and open competition may have also incentivized bidders to accurately price risks.

How effective was the competition process in ensuring value for money for this $17.7 million contract?

The contract was awarded under full and open competition with five bidders, which is a positive indicator for ensuring value for money. A competitive environment typically drives down prices as contractors vie for the award. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type further enhances value by capping the government's cost exposure, provided the scope is well-defined. The effectiveness of the competition in this instance hinges on whether the bids received adequately reflected the market price for the required services and whether the lowest responsive bid was selected. Without access to the bid prices of the other four competitors, a definitive assessment of 'optimal' value is challenging, but the process itself suggests a mechanism for achieving competitive pricing.

What is the historical spending pattern for Galveston Seawall maintenance and repair, and how does this contract fit?

Historical spending on the Galveston Seawall, prior to Hurricane Ike, would likely show regular maintenance and smaller-scale repair contracts to address routine wear and tear, storm damage from lesser events, and ongoing upkeep. The $17.7 million contract awarded to David Boland Inc. represents a significant deviation from typical spending due to the catastrophic nature of Hurricane Ike. This contract is not part of routine maintenance but rather a major reconstruction and resilience-building effort necessitated by a large-scale disaster. Post-Ike, spending on the seawall would have dramatically increased to address the extensive damage and implement necessary upgrades for future storm protection, making this a unique, event-driven expenditure rather than part of a consistent historical pattern.

What are the implications of the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' NAICS code for this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237990, 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction,' signifies that this contract involves the construction of projects not elsewhere classified within the heavy and civil engineering sector. This typically includes infrastructure like seawalls, levees, dams, canals, pipelines, and tunnels. For this contract, it specifically denotes the construction and repair of the Galveston Seawall. This classification indicates the need for specialized engineering expertise, heavy machinery, and adherence to stringent construction standards related to public works and infrastructure. It also helps in identifying comparable projects and contractors within the federal procurement landscape.

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: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912HY09B0010

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 509 S PALM AVE, TITUSVILLE, FL, 32796

Business Categories: Category Business, Emerging Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,730,199

Exercised Options: $17,730,199

Current Obligation: $17,730,199

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline