James River Bridge Rehabilitation Awarded for $8.77M, Focusing on Structural Integrity

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,766,137 ($8.8M)

Contractor: Gemstone LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-04-24

End Date: 2028-04-28

Contract Duration: 1,100 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PROJECT VA NP BLRI 1G27 THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF FOR THE REHABILITATION OF JAMES RIVER BRIDGE (STRUCTURE 5140-016P). THE WORK ENCOMPASSES CLEANING AND SEALING MINOR CRACKS, REMOVING VEGETATION ON PIERS, CLEANING AND PATCHING SPALLS, LARGE CRACKS, AND

Place of Performance

Location: MONROE, AMHERST County, VIRGINIA, 24574

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $8.8 million to GEMSTONE LLC for work described as: PROJECT VA NP BLRI 1G27 THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF FOR THE REHABILITATION OF JAMES RIVER BRIDGE (STRUCTURE 5140-016P). THE WORK ENCOMPASSES CLEANING AND SEALING MINOR CRACKS, REMOVING VEGETATION ON PIERS, CLEANING AND PATCHING SPALLS, LARGE CRACKS, AND Key points: 1. The project addresses critical rehabilitation needs for the James River Bridge, including crack repair and pier maintenance. 2. Gemstone LLC secured the contract, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the $8.77 million project. 4. This expenditure falls within the broader context of infrastructure maintenance and transportation sector spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.77 million appears reasonable for a bridge rehabilitation project of this scope. Benchmarking against similar bridge repair contracts would provide a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition. This method might impact price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential infrastructure maintenance, ensuring the longevity and safety of a public asset.

Public Impact

Ensures the structural integrity and safety of the James River Bridge for public use. Supports local infrastructure and transportation networks, facilitating commerce and travel. Invests in the preservation of a key piece of state infrastructure, potentially preventing more costly repairs in the future.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have restricted optimal price discovery.
Contract duration of 1100 days requires careful monitoring for potential delays.

Positive Signals

Focus on essential structural rehabilitation.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Clear end date for project completion.

Sector Analysis

This project falls under the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector, a critical area of federal and state spending focused on maintaining and improving transportation infrastructure. Spending in this sector is often driven by needs for repair, upgrades, and new construction to support economic activity and public safety.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors in this project. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Federal Highway Administration is responsible for overseeing this project. Oversight will be crucial to ensure adherence to contract terms, quality of work, and timely completion to maximize taxpayer value.

Related Government Programs

Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Highway Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may have restricted optimal price discovery.
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen structural issues arise.
Contract duration of 1100 days requires diligent schedule management.
Dependence on specific contractor capabilities (Gemstone LLC).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $8.8 million to GEMSTONE LLC. PROJECT VA NP BLRI 1G27 THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF FOR THE REHABILITATION OF JAMES RIVER BRIDGE (STRUCTURE 5140-016P). THE WORK ENCOMPASSES CLEANING AND SEALING MINOR CRACKS, REMOVING VEGETATION ON PIERS, CLEANING AND PATCHING SPALLS, LARGE CRACKS, AND

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEMSTONE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-24. End: 2028-04-28.

What specific criteria led to the exclusion of sources in this 'limited' full and open competition?

The exclusion of sources in this limited competition likely stems from specific technical requirements, past performance evaluations, or unique capabilities needed for the James River Bridge rehabilitation. Understanding these criteria is essential to assess if the chosen method truly yielded the best value and competitive pricing, or if it inadvertently narrowed the field of qualified bidders.

How does the $8.77 million cost compare to similar bridge rehabilitation projects of comparable scale and complexity?

Benchmarking this $8.77 million expenditure against similar bridge rehabilitation projects is crucial for a robust value assessment. Factors like the extent of structural damage, materials used, labor costs in the region, and project duration significantly influence overall cost. A detailed comparison would reveal if this contract represents a fair market price or if there are potential cost efficiencies that were missed.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure the effectiveness and timely completion of the rehabilitation work?

Effective oversight requires clearly defined KPIs, such as adherence to the project schedule, quality control metrics for repairs, and safety compliance. Robust monitoring mechanisms, including regular site inspections, progress reports, and milestone reviews by the Federal Highway Administration, are vital. These ensure the rehabilitation meets its objectives, taxpayer funds are used efficiently, and the bridge's structural integrity is demonstrably improved within the contract period.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 693C7325B000005

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 128 SW 22ND ST, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, 33315

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,766,137

Exercised Options: $8,766,137

Current Obligation: $8,766,137

Actual Outlays: $3,509,741

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline