Interior's $5.7M Oyster Breakwater Contract Awarded to G.M. Hill Engineering for Shoreline Restoration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,738,920 ($5.7M)
Contractor: G.M. Hill Engineering, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2020-09-30
End Date: 2025-12-30
Contract Duration: 1,917 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: DESIGN BUILD SERVICES FOR OYSTER BREAKWATER SHORELINE RESTORATION
Place of Performance
Location: SWANQUARTER, HYDE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27885
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $5.7 million to G.M. HILL ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: DESIGN BUILD SERVICES FOR OYSTER BREAKWATER SHORELINE RESTORATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for shoreline restoration services, focusing on breakwater construction. 2. G.M. Hill Engineering, Inc. secured the $5.7M definitive contract. 3. The contract spans nearly four years, indicating a significant project scope. 4. Services fall under 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's fixed price structure provides some cost certainty. However, without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if the $5.7M price represents optimal value for the taxpayer.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive environment.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether taxpayer funds were used most efficiently for this shoreline restoration project.
Public Impact
Environmental restoration efforts aim to improve coastal resilience and habitats. The project is located in North Carolina, a state vulnerable to coastal erosion. Long-term contract duration suggests a sustained commitment to the restoration goals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing due to sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical environmental restoration needs
- Long-term commitment to project completion
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, which involves large-scale infrastructure projects. Benchmarks for similar shoreline restoration projects are difficult to ascertain without competitive data.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to G.M. Hill Engineering, Inc., a firm. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and effective use of funds. Further oversight may be needed to confirm project milestones and deliverables.
Related Government Programs
- Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in contractor selection
Tags
other-heavy-and-civil-engineering-constr, department-of-the-interior, nc, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $5.7 million to G.M. HILL ENGINEERING, INC.. DESIGN BUILD SERVICES FOR OYSTER BREAKWATER SHORELINE RESTORATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is G.M. HILL ENGINEERING, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-30. End: 2025-12-30.
What factors justified the sole-source award for this significant shoreline restoration project?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of qualified sources. Without further documentation, it's unclear why G.M. Hill Engineering was the only viable option for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This decision bypasses the standard competitive process, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness and transparency.
What are the primary risks associated with awarding a large construction contract without competition?
The primary risks include paying a premium price due to the absence of competitive pressure, receiving substandard quality if the contractor is not incentivized by market forces, and potential delays if the contractor faces unforeseen challenges without the benefit of pre-vetted alternatives. Transparency and accountability are also diminished.
How will the effectiveness of the shoreline restoration be measured and ensured given the contract's structure?
Effectiveness will likely be measured against specific performance metrics outlined in the contract's statement of work. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will need robust project management and quality assurance processes to monitor progress, ensure adherence to design specifications, and verify the long-term ecological benefits of the breakwater restoration.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 140F0420R0041
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 9640 SUNBEAM CENTER DR STE 1, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 32257
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,738,920
Exercised Options: $5,738,920
Current Obligation: $5,738,920
Actual Outlays: $5,738,920
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-30
Current End Date: 2025-12-30
Potential End Date: 2025-12-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-16
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