Army awards $15.7M dredging contract for Brazos Island Harbor, Texas, to Weeks Marine, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,707,447 ($15.7M)

Contractor: Weeks Marine, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-12-31

End Date: 2010-08-02

Contract Duration: 214 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DREDGING - BRAZOS ISLAND HARBOR TEXAS, MAIN CHANNEL.

Place of Performance

Location: BROWNSVILLE, CAMERON County, TEXAS, 78521

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.7 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC. for work described as: DREDGING - BRAZOS ISLAND HARBOR TEXAS, MAIN CHANNEL. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical port infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding environment. 3. The definitive contract type indicates a fixed scope and price for services. 4. Project duration of 214 days suggests a focused, short-term operational need. 5. The contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, vital for national logistics. 6. Award to a single contractor implies successful navigation of the competitive process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.7 million for dredging services appears reasonable given the scope of work for a major harbor channel. Benchmarking against similar large-scale dredging projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost certainty to the government, mitigating risk of cost overruns. The award to Weeks Marine, Inc., a known entity in marine construction, suggests a level of confidence in their capability to deliver the required services within budget.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The fact that it resulted in a definitive contract award to a single entity suggests that Weeks Marine, Inc. was the most advantageous offer received based on the evaluation criteria. The level of competition, while not explicitly detailed by the number of bidders, is presumed to have been sufficient to drive competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better value. It ensures that the government explores a wide range of potential contractors, increasing the likelihood of securing the most cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and port users who rely on navigable waterways for commerce and defense. Services delivered include essential dredging to maintain and improve the main channel of Brazos Island Harbor. The geographic impact is concentrated in Texas, specifically around the Brazos Island Harbor area, supporting regional economic activity. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for skilled labor in dredging operations and related support services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen subsurface conditions are encountered, though mitigated by fixed-price contract.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical infrastructure project.
Environmental impact of dredging activities requires careful monitoring and mitigation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contractor has experience in marine construction, indicating capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector, which encompasses a wide range of infrastructure projects including dredging, marine construction, and waterway improvements. The market for such services is often characterized by a limited number of specialized firms capable of undertaking large-scale projects. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining national transportation networks, facilitating trade, and supporting economic development. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other Army Corps of Engineers projects or similar federal agency contracts for harbor maintenance and construction.

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 large business. The absence of small business set-aside provisions means that opportunities for small businesses would likely be through subcontracting, if any are offered by the prime contractor, Weeks Marine, Inc.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract performance or closeout.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Port Infrastructure Development Program
Inland Waterways Trust Fund
National Defense Authorization Act - Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen subsurface conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Environmental compliance and dredged material disposal challenges.
Weather-related delays in the Gulf Coast region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.7 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC.. DREDGING - BRAZOS ISLAND HARBOR TEXAS, MAIN CHANNEL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WEEKS MARINE, 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 $15.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-12-31. End: 2010-08-02.

What is the historical spending pattern for dredging services by the Department of the Army in Texas?

Analyzing historical spending for dredging by the Department of the Army in Texas requires accessing detailed contract databases. While this specific contract is for $15.7 million, broader trends would involve aggregating data over several fiscal years. Factors influencing spending include the condition of waterways, federal budget allocations for infrastructure, and specific project needs like channel deepening or maintenance. Historically, the Army Corps of Engineers manages a significant portfolio of dredging contracts nationwide, with Texas ports being a recurring area of investment due to their economic importance. Without access to a comprehensive historical dataset specific to Texas dredging contracts, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but it's reasonable to assume consistent investment in maintaining and improving major Texas waterways.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar dredging contracts for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects?

Comparing the $15.7 million award to similar dredging contracts requires identifying projects of comparable scope, location, and complexity. Dredging contracts can vary significantly based on factors like the volume of material to be removed, the type of material (e.g., sand, silt, rock), the depth and width of the channel, and the disposal methods required. Larger, more complex projects, such as deepening major shipping channels or dredging in challenging geological conditions, can easily exceed tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, routine maintenance dredging in smaller harbors might cost significantly less. This $15.7 million contract for Brazos Island Harbor appears to be a substantial project, likely involving significant channel maintenance or improvement, and would need to be benchmarked against other major harbor dredging efforts managed by the Army Corps of Engineers to fully assess its relative value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used to evaluate dredging contract performance?

Key performance indicators for dredging contracts typically focus on efficiency, quality, safety, and environmental compliance. Common KPIs include the volume of material dredged per unit of time (e.g., cubic yards per hour or day), adherence to specified channel dimensions and depths, and the effectiveness of material disposal. Punctuality in meeting project milestones and the overall project completion date is also critical. Furthermore, contractors are evaluated on their safety record, with metrics like incident rates. Environmental KPIs might include compliance with permits, minimization of turbidity, and successful management of dredged material. The government's evaluation of Weeks Marine, Inc. for this contract would likely have considered their past performance against these types of indicators on previous projects.

What is the track record of Weeks Marine, Inc. in performing similar federal dredging contracts?

Weeks Marine, Inc. is a well-established marine construction company with a significant history of performing dredging and related services for federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their track record typically includes numerous contracts for channel maintenance, harbor deepening, beach nourishment, and other marine infrastructure projects across the United States. Publicly available contract data often reflects their success in winning and completing such contracts. While specific performance details for every contract are not always public, their continued success in winning competitive bids for large-scale federal projects suggests a generally positive track record in terms of capability, reliability, and adherence to contract requirements. Any government evaluation would have likely reviewed their past performance history.

What are the potential risks associated with this specific dredging project at Brazos Island Harbor?

Potential risks for this dredging project at Brazos Island Harbor include encountering unforeseen subsurface conditions, such as hard rock, buried debris, or hazardous materials, which could increase costs and extend the schedule. Environmental risks are also significant, including potential impacts on marine ecosystems, water quality degradation due to sediment plumes, and challenges with permitted dredged material disposal sites. Operational risks involve equipment breakdowns, weather disruptions (especially during hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico), and potential labor issues. Furthermore, the fixed-price nature of the contract means that the contractor bears the financial risk of cost overruns due to these factors, which could incentivize cutting corners if not properly managed and overseen.

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: W912HY10B0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Weeks Marine Inc (UEI: 044665230)

Address: 304 GAILLE DR, COVINGTON, LA, 70433

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,507,447

Exercised Options: $15,707,447

Current Obligation: $15,707,447

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline