Army awards $21M for Colorado River flood control, with 3 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,058,080 ($21.1M)

Contractor: David Boland Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-08-31

End Date: 2011-05-11

Contract Duration: 618 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TAS::96 3135::TAS RECOVERY - COLORADO RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES TEXAS, MOUTH OF COLORADO RIVER IN MATAGORDA COUNTY, TEXAS

Place of Performance

Location: MATAGORDA, MATAGORDA County, TEXAS, 77457

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.1 million to DAVID BOLAND INC for work described as: TAS::96 3135::TAS RECOVERY - COLORADO RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES TEXAS, MOUTH OF COLORADO RIVER IN MATAGORDA COUNTY, TEXAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 2. The contract duration of 618 days suggests a significant project scope. 3. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 4. The project is located in Matagorda County, Texas, addressing specific regional needs. 5. The award was made by the Department of the Army, a major federal contracting entity.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $21 million for heavy civil engineering construction appears within a reasonable range for a project of this nature, though specific benchmarks are difficult to ascertain without more granular data on the scope of work. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests an attempt to cap costs. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar projects in the region, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The number of bids (3) is moderate, which could indicate some level of competition but also potential limitations in market engagement.

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 bids. Three bids were received, which suggests a moderate level of competition. While more than one bidder is positive, a higher number of bids typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government. The limited number of bidders could indicate specific technical requirements or a concentrated market for this type of specialized construction.

Taxpayer Impact: The moderate competition level means taxpayers likely benefited from some price negotiation, but there may have been opportunities for even greater savings with a wider range of bids.

Public Impact

Residents and businesses in Matagorda County, Texas, will benefit from improved flood control infrastructure. The project aims to mitigate risks associated with the Colorado River and its tributaries. Construction activities will likely create temporary employment opportunities in the local area. The delivered service is heavy civil engineering construction, specifically for flood control.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite the fixed-price contract.
The moderate number of bidders might suggest a less competitive market than ideal, potentially impacting final price.
Ensuring timely completion within the 618-day duration is critical to realizing flood control benefits.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, maximizing the pool of potential contractors.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Project addresses a critical infrastructure need for flood risk reduction in Texas.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, a critical component of national infrastructure development. This sector encompasses a wide range of projects, including flood control, transportation, and utilities. The market for such specialized construction can be competitive, but often involves a limited number of firms with the requisite expertise and bonding capacity. Federal spending in this area is often driven by specific regional needs, disaster recovery, or long-term infrastructure improvement plans.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army's contracting and project management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services within the agreed-upon price and timeframe. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed project-specific oversight reports are not always publicly available.

Related Government Programs

US Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Federal Flood Control Programs
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Projects

Risk Flags

Moderate competition level
Potential for unforeseen site conditions
Weather-related delays

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.1 million to DAVID BOLAND INC. TAS::96 3135::TAS RECOVERY - COLORADO RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES TEXAS, MOUTH OF COLORADO RIVER IN MATAGORDA COUNTY, TEXAS

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 $21.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-08-31. End: 2011-05-11.

What specific flood control measures are included in this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'TAS RECOVERY - COLORADO RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES TEXAS, MOUTH OF COLORADO RIVER IN MATAGORDA COUNTY, TEXAS' and falls under NAICS code 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction). While the specific flood control measures are not detailed in the summary data, this NAICS code typically covers projects such as levees, dams, floodwalls, channel improvements, and related earthwork or structural construction. The 'TAS RECOVERY' designation suggests this project may be related to recovery efforts following a specific event or addressing ongoing recovery needs for the Colorado River system in Texas.

How does the $21 million award compare to similar flood control projects in Texas?

A direct comparison of the $21 million award to similar flood control projects in Texas is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable projects, including their scope, duration, and specific engineering requirements. However, major flood control infrastructure projects, such as those managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale and complexity. Given the location at the mouth of the Colorado River in Matagorda County, this project likely addresses significant regional flood risks, making the $21 million figure plausible for a substantial, but not necessarily massive, undertaking within the broader context of federal civil works.

What is the track record of DAVID BOLAND INC in federal contracting, particularly for civil engineering projects?

Information on DAVID BOLAND INC's track record is not detailed in the provided summary data. To assess their performance, one would need to examine their contract history within federal databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. This would reveal past awards, performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. For a civil engineering project of this nature, it would be important to verify if they have successfully completed similar large-scale construction projects on time and within budget for federal agencies or other government entities.

What are the potential risks associated with this specific contract award?

Potential risks for this contract include the standard challenges inherent in large-scale civil engineering projects: unforeseen subsurface conditions (e.g., soil instability, groundwater issues) that could lead to cost overruns or delays, despite the firm fixed-price structure. Weather-related delays are also a significant risk in construction, particularly in coastal Texas. Furthermore, the moderate number of bidders (3) could indicate a less competitive environment than ideal, potentially impacting the government's ability to secure the lowest possible price. Ensuring the contractor possesses the necessary specialized equipment and skilled labor for the specific flood control measures is also a consideration.

How has federal spending on flood control in Texas evolved over the past decade?

Analyzing federal spending trends on flood control in Texas over the past decade requires access to historical federal budget data and contract award databases. Spending in this area is often influenced by major weather events (hurricanes, heavy rainfall), federal appropriations cycles, and specific infrastructure initiatives. Following significant events like Hurricane Harvey, federal investment in flood mitigation and infrastructure resilience in Texas has generally seen increased attention and funding. However, the allocation can fluctuate annually based on congressional priorities and the availability of funds for agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers.

What is the significance of the 'TAS RECOVERY' designation for this contract?

The 'TAS RECOVERY' designation likely indicates that this contract is part of a broader recovery effort related to the Colorado River and its tributaries in Texas, possibly following a natural disaster or addressing long-term environmental recovery needs. Such designations often imply that funding may be sourced from specific disaster relief appropriations or dedicated recovery programs. This context suggests the project aims to restore or enhance the resilience of the river system and surrounding areas, addressing damage or vulnerabilities that have impacted the region.

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: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912HY09B0029

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: HZE

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, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,058,080

Exercised Options: $21,058,080

Current Obligation: $21,058,080

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline