Interior's $5.9M Asphalt Contract Awarded to Branscome Operating, LLC for Virginia Projects

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,888,095 ($5.9M)

Contractor: Branscome Operating, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-03-31

End Date: 2026-03-17

Contract Duration: 351 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FURNISH AND DELIVER APPROXIMATELY 8,730 TONS OF ASPHALT BASE, 10,000 TONS OF ASPHALT TOP, 10,440 GALLONS OF ASPHALT TACK COAT, 38,940 CUBIC YARDS OF AGGREGATE, 56,180 CUBIC YARDS OF FILL MATERIAL, 160 CUBIC YARDS OF CONCRETE MATERIAL, 1,102 LINEAR FE

Place of Performance

Location: CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, ACCOMACK County, VIRGINIA, 23336

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5.9 million to BRANSCOME OPERATING, LLC for work described as: FURNISH AND DELIVER APPROXIMATELY 8,730 TONS OF ASPHALT BASE, 10,000 TONS OF ASPHALT TOP, 10,440 GALLONS OF ASPHALT TACK COAT, 38,940 CUBIC YARDS OF AGGREGATE, 56,180 CUBIC YARDS OF FILL MATERIAL, 160 CUBIC YARDS OF CONCRETE MATERIAL, 1,102 LINEAR FE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in regional infrastructure maintenance and development. 2. Awarded under a Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller, efficient procurements. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Delivery is scheduled over a 351-day period, indicating a medium-term project timeline. 5. The contract is for essential construction materials, supporting broader federal land management and facility upkeep. 6. Virginia is the primary geographic focus, aligning with specific regional needs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $5.9 million for a substantial quantity of asphalt and related materials appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale paving material procurements would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Without specific per-unit pricing details or direct comparisons to market rates for these exact material quantities and delivery terms, a definitive assessment of exceptional value is difficult, but the overall award seems aligned with expected costs for such a project.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under a Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP), which typically involves soliciting offers from multiple sources. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP aims to promote competition for procurements below certain dollar thresholds. This method generally leads to competitive pricing and ensures that the government receives fair market value. The use of SAP suggests a streamlined process that still allows for a reasonable level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through multiple offers. This process allows for price discovery and selection of the most advantageous offer for the government.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the primary beneficiary, utilizing these materials for infrastructure improvements on federal lands. Services delivered include the provision of asphalt base, asphalt top, asphalt tack coat, aggregate, fill material, and concrete. The geographic impact is concentrated in Virginia, supporting projects managed by the agency within the state. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for those involved in the extraction, processing, delivery, and application of these construction materials.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations in raw materials impacting long-term project costs if not fully accounted for in the fixed price.
Logistical challenges in delivering large quantities of materials to potentially remote federal sites.
Ensuring consistent quality control across all delivered materials to meet project specifications.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a single contractor streamlines management and delivery.
Clear delivery schedule and defined material quantities reduce ambiguity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction and Engineering sector, specifically related to heavy civil construction materials. The market for asphalt and aggregate is substantial, driven by federal, state, and local infrastructure projects. Branscome Operating, LLC's award suggests they are a recognized supplier in this market. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large federal or state contracts for similar paving materials, which often run into millions of dollars depending on project scale and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not specify a small business set-aside. While Branscome Operating, LLC is the prime contractor, there is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans or goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and if they are being utilized to support the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified materials by a certain date. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration Paving Contracts
Department of Defense Construction Material Procurements
Bureau of Land Management Infrastructure Projects
National Park Service Facility Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation of raw materials.
Logistical challenges in delivery to remote locations.
Ensuring consistent material quality.
Contractor performance and adherence to schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5.9 million to BRANSCOME OPERATING, LLC. FURNISH AND DELIVER APPROXIMATELY 8,730 TONS OF ASPHALT BASE, 10,000 TONS OF ASPHALT TOP, 10,440 GALLONS OF ASPHALT TACK COAT, 38,940 CUBIC YARDS OF AGGREGATE, 56,180 CUBIC YARDS OF FILL MATERIAL, 160 CUBIC YARDS OF CONCRETE MATERIAL, 1,102 LINEAR FE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRANSCOME OPERATING, LLC.

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 $5.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-31. End: 2026-03-17.

What is Branscome Operating, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of the Interior?

Branscome Operating, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily with the Department of the Interior and its various agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Analysis of their contract history reveals multiple awards for construction materials and services, often related to infrastructure and land management projects. While specific performance metrics for past contracts are not detailed here, the consistent awarding of contracts suggests a satisfactory performance record. Further investigation into contract close-out data and any reported disputes or terminations would provide a more comprehensive view of their federal contracting performance.

How does the per-unit cost of asphalt and aggregate in this contract compare to market rates?

Determining the precise per-unit cost for each material within this $5.9 million contract is challenging without access to the detailed pricing breakdown. The contract specifies approximate total quantities rather than individual unit prices for asphalt base, asphalt top, aggregate, and fill material. To conduct a thorough comparison, one would need to obtain the contract's pricing schedule and benchmark these unit costs against current market rates for similar materials in Virginia, considering factors like volume discounts, delivery terms, and quality specifications. Publicly available data often lacks this granular detail, making direct per-unit cost comparisons difficult without specific data requests.

What are the primary risks associated with this asphalt supply contract?

The primary risks associated with this asphalt supply contract include potential price volatility of raw materials (bitumen and aggregate), logistical challenges in timely delivery to potentially remote or environmentally sensitive federal sites, and ensuring consistent material quality that meets stringent project specifications. There's also a risk of contractor performance issues, such as delays or failure to meet quantity requirements, although the fixed-price nature and defined schedule aim to mitigate some of these. Environmental compliance during material extraction and transport, as well as potential impacts from weather disruptions, also represent key risks.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for construction materials?

The Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) is generally effective in ensuring competitive pricing for construction materials valued below certain thresholds (e.g., $250,000, though this can vary). SAP mandates soliciting offers from multiple sources, which fosters price competition and allows agencies to obtain fair and reasonable prices. For contracts like this one, which falls within SAP parameters, the process encourages vendors to submit competitive bids. However, the level of competition can vary depending on the specific market and the number of qualified vendors actively participating in the SAP process for that particular type of material or service.

What is the historical spending pattern for asphalt and paving materials by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for asphalt and paving materials by the Department of the Interior (DOI) indicate a consistent and significant investment in maintaining and improving federal lands and facilities. DOI agencies, including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, regularly procure these materials for road construction, parking areas, pathways, and general infrastructure upkeep across vast land holdings. Annual spending can fluctuate based on specific infrastructure initiatives, budget allocations, and the condition of existing assets, but it typically runs into tens of millions of dollars nationwide, reflecting the extensive maintenance needs of federal properties.

What are the implications of a firm fixed-price contract for this type of material supply?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract for asphalt and paving materials offers significant advantages for the government by providing cost certainty. The contractor assumes the majority of the risk for cost overruns, meaning the government pays the agreed-upon price regardless of the contractor's actual costs. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage their expenses efficiently and complete the work within budget. For the government, it simplifies budgeting and financial planning. However, it can sometimes lead to higher initial prices as contractors may build in a contingency to cover potential cost increases, and it offers less flexibility if project requirements change significantly.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing › Asphalt Paving Mixture and Block Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140F0S25Q0013

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Colaska Inc.

Address: 432 MCLAWS CIR, WILLIAMSBURG, VA, 23185

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,888,095

Exercised Options: $5,888,095

Current Obligation: $5,888,095

Actual Outlays: $4,285,344

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline