DHS awards $28.3M for Coast Guard Station Port Aransas rebuild after Hurricane Harvey

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,281,179 ($28.3M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2020-04-14

End Date: 2023-04-14

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DESIGN/BUILD CONSTRUCTION FOR HURRICANE HARVEY REBUILD AT U.S. COAST GUARD STATION, PORT ARANSAS, TX

Place of Performance

Location: PORT ARANSAS, NUECES County, TEXAS, 78373

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $28.3 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DESIGN/BUILD CONSTRUCTION FOR HURRICANE HARVEY REBUILD AT U.S. COAST GUARD STATION, PORT ARANSAS, TX Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company for design/build construction. 2. Project aims to restore U.S. Coast Guard Station in Port Aransas, Texas. 3. Funding allocated for post-Hurricane Harvey reconstruction efforts. 4. Contract duration is 1095 days, indicating a significant rebuilding timeline. 5. Fixed-price contract type suggests defined cost expectations. 6. Competition level was full and open, implying broad market participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.3 million for a design/build reconstruction project is substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government construction projects, particularly those involving disaster recovery and specialized facilities like Coast Guard stations, is crucial. While specific cost breakdowns are not provided, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs. Further analysis would require comparing the cost per square foot or per functional unit against similar completed projects to assess value for money.

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 contractors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders (no) suggests a reasonable level of competition for this significant reconstruction project. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions, but two bidders can still yield a fair market price for specialized construction.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and encouraging efficient project execution.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard will benefit from the restored operational capabilities of Station Port Aransas. The project delivers essential infrastructure repair and modernization following significant storm damage. The geographic impact is concentrated in Port Aransas, Texas, supporting regional maritime security and response. The construction activities will likely involve local and regional workforce participation in skilled trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions or material price escalations occur, despite fixed-price contract.
Delays in construction timeline could impact Coast Guard operational readiness.
Ensuring compliance with all environmental and building codes during reconstruction.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Project addresses critical infrastructure needs for national security and disaster response.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the building of non-residential structures. The market for government construction, especially for critical infrastructure like Coast Guard stations, is significant. Projects of this scale often involve specialized design and construction expertise, particularly when dealing with post-disaster rebuilding and specific operational requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale federal construction awards for similar facilities or disaster recovery efforts.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, is a large business. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. This means the primary contract value will flow to the large prime contractor, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem will depend on their subcontracting decisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security's contracting officers and project managers. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, with penalties or incentives potentially tied to performance and schedule. The Inspector General for DHS may conduct audits or investigations if concerns arise regarding contract execution or financial integrity.

Related Government Programs

Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Funding
U.S. Coast Guard Infrastructure Modernization
Federal Building and Construction Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Capital Investments

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays impacting operational readiness.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions leading to cost adjustments.
Ensuring compliance with evolving environmental and building standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $28.3 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DESIGN/BUILD CONSTRUCTION FOR HURRICANE HARVEY REBUILD AT U.S. COAST GUARD STATION, PORT ARANSAS, TX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-04-14. End: 2023-04-14.

What is the track record of Whiting-Turner Contracting Company with federal contracts, particularly in construction and disaster recovery?

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company has a significant history of performing federal construction contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Defense and other civilian agencies. Their portfolio often includes large-scale projects, ranging from institutional buildings to specialized facilities. While specific disaster recovery project details are not immediately available in this summary, their experience in complex construction projects suggests a capability to handle challenging rebuilds. A deeper dive into their past performance ratings, any past performance issues, and the types of federal projects they have successfully completed would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their suitability and reliability for this specific Coast Guard station reconstruction.

How does the $28.3 million cost compare to similar Coast Guard station rebuilds or large-scale federal construction projects post-disaster?

Benchmarking the $28.3 million cost requires comparing it against similar projects in terms of scope, complexity, and location. Projects involving the reconstruction of critical infrastructure like Coast Guard stations after major natural disasters can vary significantly in cost due to factors such as site conditions, material availability, labor costs, and specific security or operational requirements. Without detailed cost breakdowns (e.g., cost per square foot, cost per functional unit), a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a design/build project of this magnitude, the figure appears within a plausible range for federal construction, though a detailed analysis against comparable projects would be necessary to definitively assess value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this design/build construction contract for the U.S. Coast Guard Station rebuild?

Key risks for this design/build contract include potential cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions (e.g., environmental remediation, foundation issues) or fluctuations in material and labor costs, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Schedule delays are another significant risk, which could impact the Coast Guard's operational readiness and response capabilities in the region. Ensuring the design meets all current building codes, environmental regulations, and the specific operational needs of the Coast Guard is critical. Furthermore, managing the coordination between the design and construction phases inherent in a design/build approach requires robust oversight to prevent errors or omissions.

What is the expected effectiveness of the rebuilt U.S. Coast Guard Station in Port Aransas in terms of operational capabilities?

The effectiveness of the rebuilt station will be measured by its ability to restore and potentially enhance the U.S. Coast Guard's operational capabilities in the Port Aransas area. This includes improved facilities for personnel, enhanced readiness for maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and port security. The design/build nature of the contract aims to deliver a facility that meets current operational standards and potentially incorporates modernizations that improve efficiency and resilience. Successful completion of the project, on time and within budget, will be a primary indicator of its effectiveness in meeting the Coast Guard's mission requirements.

How has federal spending on construction and disaster recovery projects evolved in recent years, and how does this contract fit into that trend?

Federal spending on construction and disaster recovery projects has seen fluctuations, often increasing significantly following major natural disasters. The need to rebuild critical infrastructure, including military and public safety facilities, drives substantial investment. This $28.3 million contract for the U.S. Coast Guard Station rebuild aligns with a broader trend of federal investment in resilient infrastructure and post-disaster recovery efforts. Agencies like DHS and DoD consistently allocate significant funds towards repairing and modernizing facilities damaged by events like hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural catastrophes, reflecting a commitment to maintaining operational readiness and national security.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70Z04719RPARANS00

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 E JOPPA RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21286

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,281,179

Exercised Options: $28,281,179

Current Obligation: $28,281,179

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z04718DWHITUR00

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline