Coast Guard awards $316K for waterfront maintenance, with 5 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $316,142 ($316.1K)

Contractor: Transystems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-06-28

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,981 days

Daily Burn Rate: $160/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AE DESIGN SERVICES FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF WATERFRONT AT USCG SECTOR SAULT STE. P/N 16597487

Place of Performance

Location: SAULT SAINTE MARIE, CHIPPEWA County, MICHIGAN, 49783

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $316,142 to TRANSYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: AE DESIGN SERVICES FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF WATERFRONT AT USCG SECTOR SAULT STE. P/N 16597487 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of engineering services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The contract duration extends over several years, indicating a long-term need. 5. The award is a delivery order against a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $316,142 for engineering services related to waterfront maintenance and repairs seems appropriate for the specified duration and scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for engineering services for maritime infrastructure would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has secured a defined cost for the services, which is a positive indicator of cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. Five bids were received, suggesting a competitive environment for these engineering services. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down the price and ensured the government received competitive offers for the required engineering services.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie benefits from improved and maintained waterfront facilities. Engineering services will ensure the safety and operational readiness of critical maritime infrastructure. The project's geographic impact is localized to the Sault Ste. Marie area in Michigan. The contract supports specialized engineering jobs within the sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if maintenance needs are underestimated.
Reliance on a single delivery order may limit long-term strategic planning for waterfront infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
Full and open competition ensures market-driven pricing.
Delivery order structure allows for flexibility in tasking within the broader contract.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting maritime infrastructure. The market for such services is driven by government and private sector needs for port development, maintenance, and repair. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the broader federal procurement data for architectural and engineering services, particularly those related to civil works and defense infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are participating in the supply chain for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight may be managed at the contract vehicle level. The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USCG Infrastructure Maintenance
Department of Homeland Security Engineering Contracts
Maritime Facility Repair Contracts
Federal Civil Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions
Risk of scope creep in maintenance and repair definitions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $316,142 to TRANSYSTEMS CORPORATION. AE DESIGN SERVICES FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF WATERFRONT AT USCG SECTOR SAULT STE. P/N 16597487

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRANSYSTEMS CORPORATION.

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 $316,142.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-28. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the track record of Transystems Corporation in performing similar engineering services for the U.S. Coast Guard or Department of Homeland Security?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Transystems Corporation's track record. However, the award of this delivery order suggests they have successfully navigated the competitive bidding process and possess the necessary qualifications and past performance to be considered for such contracts. Further investigation into their contract history with DHS and other agencies, particularly for waterfront or maritime infrastructure projects, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their experience and performance trends. This includes examining past performance evaluations and any reported issues or successes on previous projects.

How does the awarded price compare to similar engineering services contracts for waterfront maintenance?

Direct comparison of the $316,142 award for AE Design Services for Maintenance and Repairs of Waterfront requires access to a database of similar contracts. Factors such as project complexity, geographic location, specific repair needs, and the duration of the contract significantly influence pricing. Without specific details on the scope of work and comparable projects, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value. However, the firm fixed-price contract type and the receipt of five bids suggest a competitive process that likely resulted in a fair market price. A detailed analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (e.g., 541330 - Engineering Services) and similar project descriptions.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep if the full extent of maintenance and repair needs is not accurately defined upfront, and the possibility of unforeseen site conditions impacting the project timeline or cost. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price contract type, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The delivery order structure allows for phased execution, potentially enabling adjustments based on initial findings. Clear statement of work, regular progress reviews, and robust project management by the U.S. Coast Guard are also crucial for mitigating risks. The contract's duration (nearly 5 years) also presents a risk of changing requirements or technological advancements impacting the design.

How effective is the U.S. Coast Guard in managing contracts for waterfront infrastructure maintenance?

Assessing the overall effectiveness of the U.S. Coast Guard in managing waterfront infrastructure maintenance contracts requires a broader analysis of their procurement performance across multiple projects. This specific contract, awarded competitively and with a fixed-price structure, suggests a standard and likely effective management approach for this particular task. The Coast Guard's mission inherently requires robust maritime infrastructure, implying a vested interest and established processes for managing such contracts. Performance metrics, contract close-out data, and any Inspector General reports related to Coast Guard infrastructure projects would provide a more definitive answer on their management effectiveness.

What has been the historical spending trend for engineering services related to waterfront maintenance by the U.S. Coast Guard?

To determine historical spending trends for U.S. Coast Guard waterfront maintenance engineering services, a comprehensive review of federal procurement data (e.g., FPDS) over several fiscal years would be necessary. This analysis should filter for relevant NAICS codes (like 541330) and keywords related to 'waterfront,' 'maritime,' 'port,' and 'maintenance/repair.' Examining spending patterns would reveal whether this $316,142 award is consistent with, higher than, or lower than previous investments in similar services. It would also highlight any fluctuations in demand or budget allocation for such critical infrastructure support.

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: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2400 PERSHING RD STE 400, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64108

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $316,142

Exercised Options: $316,142

Current Obligation: $316,142

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z05018DTRANSY01

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline