Forest Service awards $2.2M bridge replacement contract to Alfaro General Engineering in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,200,319 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Alfaro General Engineering

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-09-03

End Date: 2026-05-29

Contract Duration: 633 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 15 - CON - GAOA, N. FORK HEADQUARTERS AND MIDDLE MIAMI BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: CLOVIS, FRESNO County, CALIFORNIA, 93611

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.2 million to ALFARO GENERAL ENGINEERING for work described as: 15 - CON - GAOA, N. FORK HEADQUARTERS AND MIDDLE MIAMI BRIDGE REPLACEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating defined costs and risks for the government. 2. The contract duration of 633 days suggests a moderately complex project. 3. The North Fork Headquarters and Middle Miami Bridge replacement is critical infrastructure for the Forest Service. 4. The award was not competitively procured, raising questions about potential value for money. 5. The project falls under the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction NAICS code. 6. The contract is a definitive contract, typically used for straightforward procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing for this bridge replacement against market rates. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the absence of competition means the Forest Service may not have secured the most economical option. Further analysis would require comparing the awarded price to similar bridge construction projects of comparable scope and complexity within the region or nationally.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competition from multiple bidders. The specific justification for this limited competition is not provided in the data. Sole-source awards can sometimes be necessary for specialized services or urgent requirements, but they generally lead to less price discovery and potentially higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the cost savings that typically arise from a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the users of the North Fork Headquarters and Middle Miami Bridge, likely including Forest Service personnel, recreational visitors, and potentially local communities requiring access. The contract will deliver the construction services necessary to replace the existing bridge, ensuring continued safe passage and access. The geographic impact is localized to the area served by the North Fork Headquarters and Middle Miami Bridge in California. The project will likely involve a workforce of construction laborers, engineers, and project managers, contributing to employment in the construction sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source award requires strong justification to ensure fair value.
Project timeline could be subject to delays if unforeseen issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Project addresses critical infrastructure needs for the Forest Service.
Awarded to a single contractor, potentially simplifying project management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction. This is a vital area for federal agencies managing public infrastructure. Spending in this sector is often driven by maintenance, repair, and replacement of aging infrastructure, as well as new development projects. Benchmarking would involve comparing this contract's value and scope to other bridge construction projects undertaken by federal, state, or local governments.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. The award to a single entity without explicit small business provisions suggests that small businesses may not be direct participants in this specific contract, though they could potentially be involved as lower-tier subcontractors if the prime contractor utilizes them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Forest Service's contracting and project management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance against the firm-fixed-price terms and the specified delivery schedule. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases, but the specifics of the sole-source justification and performance monitoring would be internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration Bridge Program
National Forest System Road and Trail Maintenance
Public Lands Infrastructure Fund

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
Need for strong oversight due to non-competitive nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.2 million to ALFARO GENERAL ENGINEERING. 15 - CON - GAOA, N. FORK HEADQUARTERS AND MIDDLE MIAMI BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALFARO GENERAL ENGINEERING.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-03. End: 2026-05-29.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, urgent and compelling circumstances, or specific statutory authority. Without this justification, it is impossible to fully assess the necessity and potential value implications of bypassing a competitive process. Agencies are required to document and justify sole-source procurements, and this documentation is usually available through Freedom of Information Act requests or agency transparency portals.

How does the contract value of $2.2 million compare to similar bridge replacement projects managed by the Forest Service or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $2.2 million contract value requires detailed comparison with similar projects. Factors such as bridge size (length, width), type of construction, complexity of the site (e.g., terrain, environmental considerations), and local labor and material costs significantly influence project expenses. A $2.2 million bridge replacement could be considered moderate, but without specific details on the scope of work for the North Fork Headquarters and Middle Miami Bridge, a precise comparison is difficult. Generally, smaller, simpler bridge repairs or replacements might cost less, while large, complex structures in challenging environments can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Further analysis would necessitate examining project specifications and cost breakdowns of comparable federal or state-level bridge projects.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for a construction project of this nature?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for a construction project is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, the contractor may not feel compelled to offer the most cost-effective solution. Other risks include potential quality issues if the contractor is not adequately vetted or if there's a lack of incentive to perform beyond the minimum requirements. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of planning or market research by the agency, potentially leading to missed opportunities for innovation or better value from other qualified contractors. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics becomes even more critical in sole-source situations.

What is the expected impact of this bridge replacement on Forest Service operations and public access in the region?

The replacement of the North Fork Headquarters and Middle Miami Bridge is expected to have a significant positive impact on Forest Service operations and public access. Bridges are critical links in the transportation network within national forests, facilitating access for resource management activities, emergency response, and public recreation. An aging or compromised bridge can restrict vehicle weight limits, close routes entirely, or pose safety hazards. By replacing the bridge, the Forest Service ensures the continued safe and reliable access for its personnel, equipment, and the public, supporting the agency's mission of managing and protecting forest resources and providing recreational opportunities.

What is the track record of Alfaro General Engineering in completing federal construction contracts, particularly bridge projects?

Information regarding Alfaro General Engineering's specific track record with federal construction contracts, especially bridge projects, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), the types and sizes of projects they have successfully completed, and any history of contract disputes or performance issues. Given this is a sole-source award, the Forest Service presumably has confidence in Alfaro General Engineering's capability and past performance. However, for a thorough analysis, independent verification of their experience and reliability in similar bridge construction endeavors would be necessary.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 12970224R0068

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2240 BONNEY CT, ROCKLIN, CA, 95765

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,200,319

Exercised Options: $2,200,319

Current Obligation: $2,200,319

Actual Outlays: $1,309,986

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline