Army awards $24M contract for Atchafalaya River dredging, highlighting significant civil engineering construction needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,006,503 ($24.0M)
Contractor: Weeks Marine, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-09-17
End Date: 2025-02-12
Contract Duration: 148 days
Daily Burn Rate: $162.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: ATCHAFALAYA RIVER DREDGING
Place of Performance
Location: FRANKLIN, SAINT MARY County, LOUISIANA, 70538
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.0 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC. for work described as: ATCHAFALAYA RIVER DREDGING Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical infrastructure maintenance for the Atchafalaya River. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding environment for this type of work. 3. Fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs and manage financial risk. 4. Contract duration of 148 days indicates a focused scope of work. 5. Geographic focus on Louisiana points to regional infrastructure priorities. 6. The award to Weeks Marine, Inc. reflects their established presence in heavy civil engineering.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $24 million for dredging services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar Army Corps of Engineers dredging contracts in the Gulf Coast region would provide further context. The firm fixed-price nature of the award suggests a degree of confidence in cost estimation by both the government and the contractor, potentially leading to better value realization.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This approach is generally favored for ensuring fair pricing and access to the widest range of capabilities. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and encouraging contractors to offer their best value propositions.
Public Impact
Benefits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in maintaining navigable waterways. Ensures continued safe passage and efficient transport of goods along the Atchafalaya River. Supports regional economic activity in Louisiana by maintaining critical transportation infrastructure. Potentially involves a specialized workforce skilled in dredging and marine construction.
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 structure.
- Dependence on specialized equipment and skilled labor could pose supply chain or workforce availability risks.
- Environmental compliance and permitting could introduce delays or additional costs.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
- Award to an established contractor like Weeks Marine, Inc. implies a higher likelihood of successful execution.
- Clear definition of scope and duration aids in performance management.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically focusing on marine infrastructure maintenance. The Army Corps of Engineers is a major client for dredging and waterway management services, with significant annual spending in this area across the nation. Comparable contracts often involve extensive environmental reviews and specialized equipment, making the market relatively concentrated among experienced firms.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is Weeks Marine, Inc., there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice. Further review of the contract details would be needed to assess potential subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Army, likely through the Army Corps of Engineers district responsible for the Atchafalaya River. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and compliance checks are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
- Inland Waterways Navigation
- River and Harbor Maintenance
- Coastal and Shoreline Protection Projects
Risk Flags
- Potential for unforeseen subsurface conditions impacting cost and schedule.
- Environmental compliance and permitting complexities.
- Dependence on specialized marine equipment and skilled labor availability.
Tags
construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, louisiana, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, heavy-and-civil-engineering, infrastructure, dredging, waterway-maintenance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.0 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC.. ATCHAFALAYA RIVER DREDGING
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 $24.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-17. End: 2025-02-12.
What is the historical spending pattern for Atchafalaya River dredging contracts awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers?
Analyzing historical spending for Atchafalaya River dredging reveals a recurring need for maintenance and improvement of this vital waterway. The Army Corps of Engineers regularly allocates funds for such projects, with contract values fluctuating based on the scope of work, environmental conditions, and the specific dredging technology employed. For instance, past contracts might show varying durations and costs, reflecting different phases of maintenance or capital improvement initiatives. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing the current $24 million award in the context of long-term infrastructure investment and identifying any significant deviations in cost or scale that might warrant further investigation.
How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type impact risk for this dredging project?
A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract shifts the majority of the cost risk to the contractor, Weeks Marine, Inc. This means the contractor is obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of unforeseen cost increases. For the government, this provides significant budget certainty and protects against cost overruns. However, it can incentivize contractors to cut corners on quality or scope if not adequately monitored. For this Atchafalaya River dredging project, the FFP structure suggests the government has a clear understanding of the expected costs and risks, and the contractor has confidence in their ability to execute within that budget. Robust government oversight remains crucial to ensure the quality and completeness of the work.
What is the typical performance record of Weeks Marine, Inc. on similar federal contracts?
Weeks Marine, Inc. has a substantial history of performing heavy civil engineering and marine construction projects for federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their track record typically includes dredging, marine terminal construction, and bridge-related work. Performance reviews and contract completion data available through federal procurement databases generally indicate a capacity to handle large-scale projects. While specific performance metrics for every contract are not always public, their consistent bidding and award of significant contracts suggest a generally positive performance history. Any potential concerns would likely be related to specific project challenges or minor deviations, rather than systemic issues.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this dredging contract?
Key performance indicators for this Atchafalaya River dredging contract would likely focus on the successful removal of a specified volume of sediment to achieve or maintain required channel depths and widths. This includes adherence to the project schedule, meeting environmental compliance standards (e.g., sediment disposal, water quality), and ensuring the quality of the dredged material placement. The firm fixed-price nature also implies that staying within the awarded budget is a critical success factor. The government will monitor progress against these KPIs through regular site inspections, progress reports from the contractor, and potentially independent surveys of the dredged areas.
Are there any significant environmental risks associated with this dredging project, and how are they managed?
Dredging projects, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like the Atchafalaya River basin, carry inherent environmental risks. These can include the disturbance of aquatic habitats, potential release of contaminants from dredged sediments, and impacts on water quality and flow. The Army Corps of Engineers typically manages these risks through rigorous environmental impact assessments, permitting processes (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 404 permits), and specific contract requirements. These requirements often dictate methods for sediment handling and disposal, monitoring protocols for water quality and marine life, and mitigation measures to offset unavoidable impacts. The contract's success hinges on strict adherence to these environmental stipulations.
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
Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID
Solicitation ID: W912P824B0031
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Kiewit-Turner a Joint Venture
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: $30,306,503
Exercised Options: $24,006,503
Current Obligation: $24,006,503
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 19
Total Subaward Amount: $2,045,946
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-17
Current End Date: 2025-02-12
Potential End Date: 2025-02-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-30
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