DOT awards $2M+ for Oregon bridge engineering, highlighting need for infrastructure upgrades

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,994,926 ($2.0M)

Contractor: HDR Engineering, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-06-02

End Date: 2026-02-14

Contract Duration: 988 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: OR DOT 18(1), OR58 COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER TO LOWER SALT CR BRIDGES CI/CPE SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, LANE County, OREGON, 97477

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.0 million to HDR ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: OR DOT 18(1), OR58 COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER TO LOWER SALT CR BRIDGES CI/CPE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical bridge repair and replacement in Oregon. 2. Engineering services are essential for ensuring structural integrity and safety. 3. The contract duration suggests a significant scope of work. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs. 5. Competition level indicates potential for fair pricing. 6. This award aligns with broader federal infrastructure investment goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2 million for engineering services appears reasonable given the scope of bridge construction and engineering services. Benchmarking against similar projects for bridge design and inspection, this cost falls within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively, though detailed cost breakdowns are not provided. Without specific performance metrics or comparison to identical services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the award seems aligned with industry standards for such specialized engineering work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of a competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging high-quality service delivery through market forces.

Public Impact

Benefits residents and businesses in Oregon by ensuring the safety and reliability of critical transportation infrastructure. Services include engineering and design for bridge repair and replacement projects. Geographic impact is concentrated in Oregon, specifically along the Coast Fork Willamette River and Lower Salt Creek. Supports a specialized engineering workforce, likely including civil engineers, structural engineers, and design technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen structural issues arise during the engineering phase.
Dependence on the contractor's expertise for accurate structural assessments and designs.
Risk of delays if permitting or environmental reviews are complex.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract helps mitigate cost overruns.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
Award to an established engineering firm implies a level of technical capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader Construction and Infrastructure industry. The market for specialized bridge engineering is competitive, with a number of firms possessing the requisite expertise. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain and upgrade aging infrastructure, with significant investment allocated annually to transportation projects across the nation. This award is a component of that larger federal commitment to infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the specialized nature of bridge engineering services, it is common for larger, established firms to compete for and win these types of contracts. Subcontracting opportunities for smaller firms may exist, but are not explicitly detailed in this award notice. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract appears limited unless subcontracting plans are implemented.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) contracting officers and project managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like SAM.gov. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General would have oversight over potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration Bridge Program
National Highway System
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Risk of schedule delays due to external factors (e.g., environmental reviews).
Dependence on contractor's technical expertise for critical infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.0 million to HDR ENGINEERING, INC.. OR DOT 18(1), OR58 COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER TO LOWER SALT CR BRIDGES CI/CPE SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HDR ENGINEERING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-02. End: 2026-02-14.

What is the track record of HDR ENGINEERING, INC. in performing similar bridge engineering services for federal agencies?

HDR ENGINEERING, INC. is a well-established engineering firm with a significant history of providing services to federal, state, and local government agencies, including the Department of Transportation. They have a broad portfolio of experience in transportation infrastructure, including bridge design, inspection, and construction management. While specific details on past federal performance metrics for this exact type of project are not readily available in this summary, their extensive experience and numerous past contracts suggest a strong capability. Reviewing their past performance evaluations and contract history on platforms like SAM.gov or through agency-specific reports would provide a more granular understanding of their track record, including on-time delivery, budget adherence, and quality of work on comparable federal projects.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar bridge engineering contracts awarded by the Federal Highway Administration?

The awarded amount of approximately $2 million for engineering services for the Coast Fork Willamette River to Lower Salt Creek bridges is within a typical range for specialized bridge projects. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) frequently awards contracts for bridge design, inspection, and rehabilitation that can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the complexity, size, and location of the bridges. Factors influencing cost include the need for detailed structural analysis, seismic considerations, environmental impact studies, and the development of construction plans. Without knowing the exact scope of services (e.g., preliminary design, final design, construction oversight), a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a project involving multiple bridges or significant repair work, this value appears to be a reasonable investment for essential engineering expertise.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risk indicators for this contract include potential scope creep, unforeseen structural issues discovered during engineering, and potential delays in permitting or environmental reviews. Scope creep is a risk in any project where the full extent of work is not precisely defined upfront, which could lead to cost overruns if not managed. Unforeseen structural problems could necessitate redesigns or additional engineering work. Delays in regulatory approvals can also impact project timelines. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and scope effectively. The selection of an experienced firm like HDR ENGINEERING, INC. also mitigates risks related to technical execution. Clear communication channels and proactive engagement with regulatory bodies are crucial for managing timeline risks.

What is the expected program effectiveness or outcome of these engineering services?

The expected outcome of these engineering services is the successful design and planning for the repair or replacement of bridges along the Coast Fork Willamette River and Lower Salt Creek in Oregon. Effective execution of this contract should result in safe, structurally sound, and compliant bridge designs that meet all relevant engineering standards and regulatory requirements. This, in turn, will enable the subsequent construction phase to proceed efficiently, ultimately leading to improved transportation safety, reduced travel times, and enhanced infrastructure resilience for the region. The long-term effectiveness will be measured by the durability and performance of the completed bridges and their contribution to the overall transportation network.

How does historical spending on bridge engineering services by the Department of Transportation compare to this award?

Historical spending by the Department of Transportation (DOT) on bridge engineering services is substantial, reflecting the ongoing need to maintain and upgrade the nation's vast bridge infrastructure. The DOT, primarily through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), allocates billions of dollars annually towards bridge projects, encompassing design, construction, and maintenance. Awards for engineering services, like this $2 million contract, represent a fraction of the total federal investment in bridges. This specific award is consistent with the typical scale of engineering contracts for individual bridge projects or smaller groups of bridges. Over the years, federal spending in this category has seen fluctuations driven by infrastructure legislation, economic conditions, and the aging of existing bridge stock, but it remains a consistent and significant area of federal expenditure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: HDR, Inc

Address: 1050 SW 6TH AVE STE 1800, PORTLAND, OR, 97204

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,994,926

Exercised Options: $1,994,926

Current Obligation: $1,994,926

Actual Outlays: $1,994,926

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 69056721D000004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline