State Department awards $125K contract for water well drilling in Gabon

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $124,958 ($125.0K)

Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 243 days

Daily Burn Rate: $514/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: WATER WELL DRILLING AND INSTRUCTION OF PUMP HOUSE AT U.S. EMBASSY LIBREVILLE, GABON

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $124,958.2 to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: WATER WELL DRILLING AND INSTRUCTION OF PUMP HOUSE AT U.S. EMBASSY LIBREVILLE, GABON Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure reliable water supply at the U.S. Embassy in Libreville. 2. The fixed-price contract structure incentivizes cost control by the contractor. 3. A single award suggests a focused approach to a specific infrastructure need. 4. The contract duration of 243 days indicates a moderately complex project. 5. This award falls under construction services for water and sewer infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $124,958.20 for water well drilling and pump house construction appears reasonable for an overseas embassy project. While direct comparisons are difficult without specific project scope details, similar international infrastructure projects often involve significant logistical costs. The firm fixed-price nature of the award suggests that the price was determined upfront and should represent good value if the contractor delivers as specified.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The fact that a single award was made suggests that one offer was deemed most advantageous to the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring that the government receives the best possible value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. Embassy in Libreville, Gabon, which will receive a reliable water supply. The contract will deliver essential infrastructure services, specifically water well drilling and pump house construction. The geographic impact is localized to the U.S. Embassy compound in Libreville. Workforce implications are likely to involve skilled labor for construction and drilling, potentially including local hires.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Clear project scope for water well drilling and pump house construction.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically focusing on water and sewer infrastructure. The market for such services, particularly in overseas locations for government facilities, is specialized. While the dollar amount is relatively small, it represents a critical component of maintaining operational capacity for diplomatic missions. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar international infrastructure projects would typically consider factors like remote location, security requirements, and specialized equipment needs.

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 mentioned. The awardee, 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES,' suggests a foreign entity, which may or may not be a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the specific impact on the U.S. small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) or a designated contracting officer's representative (COR) at the embassy. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to meet specifications for payment. Transparency is facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are publicly reported.

Related Government Programs

Embassy Infrastructure Projects
Overseas Construction Contracts
Water and Sewer System Construction
Department of State Facilities Management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $124,958.2 to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. WATER WELL DRILLING AND INSTRUCTION OF PUMP HOUSE AT U.S. EMBASSY LIBREVILLE, GABON

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $124,958.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' with the Department of State or other federal agencies?

The designation 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' is a broad category and does not refer to a specific contractor entity. To assess track record, one would need to identify the actual awardee company associated with this contract number (NA: 237110). Without the specific company name, a track record analysis is not possible. Typically, federal agencies review past performance, including on-time delivery, quality of work, and adherence to budget, when making award decisions. If this is a new entity or one with limited federal contracting history, it might represent a higher risk, though full and open competition aims to mitigate this by allowing all qualified vendors to compete.

How does the $124,958.20 contract value compare to similar water well drilling projects at U.S. embassies?

Directly comparing the $124,958.20 value to similar projects is challenging without detailed project scope, location specifics, and market conditions. However, for an overseas embassy, this value appears to be on the lower to moderate end for infrastructure projects involving specialized drilling and construction. Factors such as the depth of the well, geological conditions, accessibility of the site, and the complexity of the pump house construction significantly influence costs. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, and the competition level should have helped establish a fair market price. Generally, projects in remote or challenging environments incur higher logistical and operational costs.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks include potential geological challenges affecting drilling depth or success, logistical difficulties in delivering equipment and personnel to Libreville, Gabon, and ensuring the contractor's adherence to quality standards and security protocols. Mitigation strategies likely involve thorough site assessments prior to award, clear contract specifications, the firm fixed-price structure which incentivizes contractor efficiency, and the Department of State's oversight mechanisms. The selection process under full and open competition also aims to identify contractors with proven capabilities and a lower risk profile for executing such projects successfully.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific project?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for projects with well-defined scopes, like water well drilling and pump house construction, as it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. This incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently and deliver the project within the agreed-upon price. For taxpayers, FFP provides cost certainty, as the final price is known upfront, assuming no change orders. Its effectiveness hinges on the accuracy of the initial cost estimate and the clarity of the contract's specifications to prevent disputes or scope creep.

What is the historical spending pattern for water infrastructure at the U.S. Embassy in Libreville?

Historical spending data for water infrastructure at the U.S. Embassy in Libreville is not directly available from the provided summary data. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for past contracts awarded to the embassy or its supporting agencies for similar services. Understanding historical spending would provide context on whether this $124,958.20 award represents an increase, decrease, or is consistent with previous investments in water systems. It could also reveal trends in contracting methods or the types of firms previously engaged for such work.

What are the implications of awarding this contract to a 'Miscellaneous Foreign Awardee' for local economic impact in Gabon?

The term 'Miscellaneous Foreign Awardee' is ambiguous regarding the specific company and its origin. If the awardee is a foreign company that does not have a significant local presence or does not subcontract locally, the direct economic impact within Gabon might be limited to wages paid to any locally hired workforce. However, if the company sources materials or services locally, or establishes a temporary operational base, there could be some indirect economic benefits. Conversely, if the awardee is a U.S. company operating overseas, it might still engage local labor and suppliers, contributing to the Gabonese economy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 19GE5025R0096

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $124,958

Exercised Options: $124,958

Current Obligation: $124,958

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline