DHS awards $369.5M for 120 miles of border wall in Texas, with Barnard Construction winning the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $369,492,406 ($369.5M)

Contractor: Barnard Construction Company, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-01-27

End Date: 2028-08-31

Contract Duration: 947 days

Daily Burn Rate: $390.2K/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: BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION IN RIO GRANDE VALLEY SECTOR, TEXAS - RGV-1 120 MILES OF VERTICAL BARRIER

Place of Performance

Location: BROWNSVILLE, CAMERON County, TEXAS, 78520

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $369.5 million to BARNARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INCORPORATED for work described as: BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION IN RIO GRANDE VALLEY SECTOR, TEXAS - RGV-1 120 MILES OF VERTICAL BARRIER Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 2. The contract value of $369.5 million for 120 miles of barrier suggests a significant investment in border infrastructure. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability for the government. 4. The duration of the project (947 days) suggests a phased approach to construction. 5. The project is located in the Rio Grande Valley sector, a key area for border security operations. 6. The award to Barnard Construction Company, Inc. represents a substantial single contract for the firm.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $369.5 million for 120 miles of vertical barrier equates to approximately $3.08 million per mile. Benchmarking this against other border infrastructure projects is challenging due to unique terrain and material requirements. However, this figure appears to be within the higher range for similar large-scale construction efforts, warranting scrutiny of the specific scope and materials used.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $3.08 million per mile of barrier.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which is a specific procurement method. While it implies a broad initial search, the 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests that certain potential bidders may have been disqualified early in the process. Six bids were received, indicating a degree of competition, but the exclusion clause warrants further investigation into its justification and impact on the final price.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, potentially driving down prices. However, the exclusion of sources needs to be transparently justified to ensure maximum value for taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), enhancing border security capabilities. The project will deliver 120 miles of vertical barrier, a significant physical impediment along a critical section of the U.S.-Mexico border. The geographic impact is concentrated in the Rio Grande Valley sector of Texas, a region facing high levels of border activity. The construction activities will likely create temporary employment opportunities for construction workers and related support staff in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen geological or environmental challenges arise during construction.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the procurement process could limit competition and potentially inflate costs.
Long-term maintenance costs for the barrier have not been explicitly detailed in the provided data.
Environmental impact assessments and mitigation strategies are critical for sustainable construction.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type helps to lock in costs and reduce the risk of budget overruns for the government.
Awarding through full and open competition, despite source exclusions, suggests an effort to engage a competitive market.
The project addresses a stated national security priority for the U.S. government.
The contractor, Barnard Construction Company, Inc., has experience in large-scale infrastructure projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on large-scale infrastructure development for government security purposes. The market for border infrastructure is specialized, often involving significant government contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of border security projects, but large federal construction awards in this category can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no mention of small business set-asides. This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and large prime contractors are likely to handle the majority of the work. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but they are not guaranteed or mandated by the contract details provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will primarily be conducted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a component of DHS. The contract's firm-fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight by limiting potential cost increases. Transparency regarding project progress and any significant issues would typically be managed through regular reporting requirements and potentially site visits by government contracting officers. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

U.S. Border Patrol Operations
Department of Homeland Security Infrastructure Projects
Federal Construction Contracts
National Security Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to complex terrain or unforeseen environmental issues.
Justification for 'exclusion of sources' in procurement needs transparency.
Long-term maintenance costs not detailed.
Environmental impact and mitigation strategies are critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $369.5 million to BARNARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INCORPORATED. BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION IN RIO GRANDE VALLEY SECTOR, TEXAS - RGV-1 120 MILES OF VERTICAL BARRIER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BARNARD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $369.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-27. End: 2028-08-31.

What is the track record of Barnard Construction Company, Inc. on similar large-scale federal infrastructure projects?

Barnard Construction Company, Inc. has a history of undertaking significant infrastructure projects, including dams, tunnels, and bridges. While specific details on their border infrastructure projects are not provided in this data snippet, their experience in managing large, complex civil engineering endeavors suggests a capacity to handle the scale and technical demands of the RGV-1 project. A deeper dive into their past performance on federal contracts, including any past performance evaluations or disputes, would provide a more comprehensive assessment of their suitability and reliability for this specific border wall construction.

How does the cost per mile of this border barrier compare to other recent federal border wall projects?

The cost per mile for this contract is approximately $3.08 million ($369.5 million / 120 miles). This figure appears to be on the higher end when compared to some publicly reported costs for previous border wall segments, which have ranged from under $1 million to over $4 million per mile. Factors influencing this cost include the specific terrain, the type of barrier material (vertical barrier in this case), labor costs, and the complexity of the construction environment in the Rio Grande Valley. Without detailed specifications of the barrier's design and the specific challenges of the RGV sector, a precise comparison is difficult, but the cost warrants scrutiny for value.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method for this contract?

The primary risk associated with 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' is that the exclusion of certain potential bidders, if not fully justified and transparent, could limit the overall pool of competition. This reduction in competition might lead to higher prices than could have been achieved in a truly unrestricted full and open competition. While the method aims to ensure qualified bidders participate, the justification for excluding sources is critical. If the exclusions were arbitrary or based on insufficient grounds, it could represent a missed opportunity for taxpayers to secure the best possible price and value.

What are the expected performance metrics and success indicators for the 120 miles of vertical barrier?

The primary performance metric for this contract is the successful construction and installation of 120 miles of vertical barrier according to specified design and material standards by the contract end date. Success indicators would include the barrier's structural integrity, its effectiveness in deterring unauthorized crossings (though this is a complex measure influenced by many factors beyond the physical barrier), and adherence to the project schedule and budget. CBP would likely monitor the physical completion, quality of construction, and operational impact of the new barrier sections.

What is the historical spending trend for border infrastructure projects by U.S. Customs and Border Protection?

Historical spending on border infrastructure projects by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has varied significantly over the years, often influenced by national security priorities and administration policies. Major surges in funding and contract awards for border wall construction occurred during specific periods, notably in the late 2010s. While specific aggregate spending figures require detailed analysis of CBP's budget and contract databases, the trend indicates substantial, often multi-billion dollar, investments in border security infrastructure, with significant portions allocated to physical barriers and technology.

Are there any specific environmental or land acquisition challenges anticipated for this section of the border wall?

Construction of border infrastructure, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas like the Rio Grande Valley, often faces significant environmental and land acquisition challenges. These can include navigating protected habitats, water resources, and potential impacts on wildlife migration corridors. Land acquisition can be complex due to private land ownership along the border, potentially requiring eminent domain proceedings. While the provided data does not detail these specific challenges for the RGV-1 project, they are inherent risks in such undertakings and would have been assessed during the planning and environmental review phases.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building 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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70B01C26R00005818

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 701 GOLD AVE, BOZEMAN, MT, 59715

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $382,728,650

Exercised Options: $369,492,406

Current Obligation: $369,492,406

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B01C26D00000006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline