Stantec Consulting Services Inc. awarded $20M for Louisiana storm damage risk reduction, with project completion by Feb 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,997,962 ($20.0M)

Contractor: Stantec Consulting Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-03-16

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 2,175 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: WSLP 114 WEST SHORE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN, LOUISIANA HURRICANE AND STORM DAMAGE RISK REDUCTION PROJECT PARISHES OF ST. CHARLES, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, AND ST. JAMES PARISHES, LOUISIANA

Place of Performance

Location: NEW ORLEANS, ORLEANS County, LOUISIANA, 70112

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.0 million to STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC for work described as: WSLP 114 WEST SHORE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN, LOUISIANA HURRICANE AND STORM DAMAGE RISK REDUCTION PROJECT PARISHES OF ST. CHARLES, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, AND ST. JAMES PARISHES, LOUISIANA Key points: 1. The contract value of $19.99M appears reasonable for a multi-year engineering services project of this scale. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should drive value. 3. The project duration of 2175 days (approx. 6 years) indicates a long-term commitment to risk reduction. 4. Engineering services are critical for infrastructure resilience, particularly in hurricane-prone regions like Louisiana. 5. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, common for ongoing needs. 6. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $20 million for engineering services related to hurricane and storm damage risk reduction is within a typical range for such large-scale infrastructure projects. Benchmarking against similar projects in coastal resilience and civil engineering would provide a more precise value assessment, but the scope suggests a significant undertaking. The firm fixed-price contract type offers cost predictability.

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 a bid. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to lead to more favorable pricing and better overall value for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method of competition suggests a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the most advantageous for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a wide range of offers and encourages innovation.

Public Impact

Residents and businesses in St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James Parishes, Louisiana, will benefit from enhanced protection against hurricane and storm damage. The project will deliver engineering services crucial for the design and implementation of risk reduction measures. The geographic impact is concentrated in three specific parishes within Louisiana, a region highly vulnerable to coastal storms. The project will likely involve a workforce of engineers, project managers, and potentially construction oversight personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long project duration could lead to scope creep or unforeseen cost increases if not managed meticulously.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a larger IDIQ could concentrate risk if the prime contract has issues.
Potential for delays due to environmental factors or permitting challenges inherent in large infrastructure projects.

Positive Signals

The project addresses a critical need for storm damage risk reduction in a vulnerable area.
Full and open competition suggests a well-structured procurement process aimed at achieving best value.
The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on civil engineering and infrastructure resilience. The market for such services is substantial, driven by ongoing needs for infrastructure upgrades, climate change adaptation, and disaster recovery. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale civil works projects managed by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or FEMA.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no specific mention of small business set-asides (ss). This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but they are not explicitly detailed in this award notice. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the awarding agency, the Department of the Army, through its contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance requirements and payment schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific project details might be limited. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS)
Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Projects

Risk Flags

Long project duration increases risk of cost overruns and performance degradation.
Potential for environmental and weather-related delays in a hurricane-prone region.
Reliance on IDIQ contract structure may introduce upstream risks.
Lack of explicit small business participation details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.0 million to STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC. WSLP 114 WEST SHORE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN, LOUISIANA HURRICANE AND STORM DAMAGE RISK REDUCTION PROJECT PARISHES OF ST. CHARLES, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, AND ST. JAMES PARISHES, LOUISIANA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES 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 $20.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-03-16. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the track record of Stantec Consulting Services Inc. with similar federal contracts, particularly in storm damage risk reduction?

Stantec Consulting Services Inc. has a significant history of working with federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and Army Corps of Engineers, on various infrastructure and engineering projects. While specific data on their track record solely in storm damage risk reduction for this exact project scope isn't detailed here, their broader experience in civil engineering, environmental consulting, and large-scale project management suggests a capacity to handle such work. A deeper dive into their past performance ratings on similar contracts, any past performance issues, and their success in delivering projects on time and within budget would provide a more comprehensive assessment of their suitability and reliability for this specific task.

How does the awarded amount of $19.99M compare to the estimated value or budget for this specific project phase?

The provided data lists the awarded amount as $19,997,961.92. Without access to the original solicitation's estimated cost or budget allocation for this specific delivery order, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the fact that it was awarded under 'full and open competition' suggests that the awarded price is a result of market forces and bidder proposals. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than any internal government estimates, it could indicate strong competition or efficient bidding. Conversely, if it aligns closely or exceeds estimates, further scrutiny of the pricing structure and scope might be warranted to ensure value for money.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract, considering its duration and scope?

Key risk indicators for this contract include the long duration (2175 days, approximately 6 years), which increases the potential for scope creep, cost escalation due to inflation or unforeseen site conditions, and contractor performance degradation over time. The project's focus on hurricane and storm damage risk reduction in Louisiana implies inherent environmental risks, such as weather delays, permitting complexities, and potential impacts from actual storm events during the project lifecycle. Furthermore, as a delivery order under a larger IDIQ, the performance and stability of the prime IDIQ contract itself represent a potential risk. Finally, the complexity of coordinating with multiple local parishes and potentially other stakeholders adds an execution risk.

How effective are the current oversight mechanisms for ensuring the successful completion of this long-term engineering project?

Oversight for this contract is primarily vested in the Department of the Army, likely through the Army Corps of Engineers, which has extensive experience managing large civil works projects. Standard oversight mechanisms include contract administration, regular progress reviews, site inspections, and performance evaluations. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. However, the long duration necessitates sustained and vigilant oversight to monitor progress, manage changes, and ensure adherence to specifications and quality standards. The effectiveness will depend on the resources allocated to contract management and the diligence of the contracting officer's representatives (CORs) and technical monitors throughout the project's lifecycle.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar storm damage risk reduction projects managed by the Department of Defense or Army Corps of Engineers?

Historical spending on storm damage risk reduction projects by the Department of Defense, particularly the Army Corps of Engineers, has been substantial, especially following major hurricane events. These projects often involve significant capital investments, with individual projects ranging from tens of millions to billions of dollars, depending on scale and complexity. Spending patterns are often influenced by federal appropriations, disaster declarations, and national infrastructure priorities. The WSLP project appears to be part of a larger, ongoing federal effort to bolster coastal defenses. Analyzing past appropriations and expenditures for similar initiatives can provide context for the $20 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical investment or an outlier.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the local economy and workforce in the affected Louisiana parishes?

This contract is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and workforce in St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James Parishes. The engineering services required will likely necessitate the hiring of local engineers, technicians, surveyors, and administrative support staff, either directly by Stantec or through local subcontractors. Furthermore, the project's ultimate goal is to enhance storm resilience, which indirectly benefits the local economy by protecting businesses, homes, and critical infrastructure, thereby reducing potential economic disruption from future storms. The long-term nature of the project suggests sustained employment opportunities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W912P819R0016

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Stantec Consulting Michigan Inc.

Address: 1340 POYDRAS ST STE 1420, NEW ORLEANS, LA, 70112

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,997,962

Exercised Options: $19,997,962

Current Obligation: $19,997,962

Actual Outlays: $3,119,026

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $3,659,383

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912P820D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline