Department of Transportation awards $30.2M for Truckee River Bridge and reconstruction, completed on time

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,231,392 ($30.2M)

Contractor: Martin Brothers Construction

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2016-09-29

End Date: 2018-12-07

Contract Duration: 799 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF CA FLAP SR89(1) TRUCKEE RIVER BRIDGE DTFH6816C00034 IGF::CT::IGF 4R RECONSTRUCTION 3 NEW ROUNDABOUTS 2 NEW BRIDGES UTILITY WORK BIKE AND PED FACILITIES

Place of Performance

Location: TAHOE CITY, PLACER County, CALIFORNIA, 96145

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $30.2 million to MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF CA FLAP SR89(1) TRUCKEE RIVER BRIDGE DTFH6816C00034 IGF::CT::IGF 4R RECONSTRUCTION 3 NEW ROUNDABOUTS 2 NEW BRIDGES UTILITY WORK BIKE AND PED FACILITIES Key points: 1. Contract achieved its objectives within the allocated budget, indicating effective financial management. 2. The project involved significant reconstruction, including roundabouts, bridges, and utility work, demonstrating complex infrastructure development. 3. Completion within the specified duration suggests good project management and execution by the contractor. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process. 5. The project's scope included enhancements for bike and pedestrian access, aligning with modern infrastructure goals. 6. The firm fixed-price contract type likely provided cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $30.2 million for highway, street, and bridge construction appears reasonable given the scope of work, which included reconstruction, new bridges, and utility work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale infrastructure projects managed by the Federal Highway Administration would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the completion within budget and schedule suggests efficient resource utilization and contractor performance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely invited to submit proposals. This competitive environment generally fosters price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive pricing to secure the award. The presence of 4 bidders, as suggested by the data, further supports the notion of a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefited from a competitive bidding process that likely resulted in a more favorable price compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are users of the transportation network in California, particularly those in the vicinity of the Truckee River. The project delivered significant infrastructure improvements, including a new bridge and reconstruction of existing roadways. Enhanced bike and pedestrian facilities were incorporated, improving safety and accessibility for non-motorized users. The project likely supported local employment and economic activity through construction jobs and material sourcing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions were encountered during extensive utility work.
Risk of schedule delays due to complex coordination required for multiple construction elements (roundabouts, bridges, utilities).

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to price fluctuations.
Completion within the original duration suggests effective project management and execution.
Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive market for this type of construction.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector, a significant segment of the construction industry focused on public infrastructure. Spending in this area is often driven by federal and state initiatives aimed at improving transportation networks. The market for such projects is typically competitive, with established construction firms bidding for large-scale contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large bridge and highway reconstruction projects funded by the Federal Highway Administration.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the contract was not set aside for small businesses and the prime contractor is not identified as a small business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors and the extent of their participation in the project's ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight likely involved regular progress reviews, site inspections, and financial audits to ensure compliance with contract terms and quality standards. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor regarding cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases and reporting.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration Capital Improvement Projects
National Highway System Construction
Bridge Infrastructure Investment Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Coordination challenges across multiple construction elements (bridge, roundabouts, utilities).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $30.2 million to MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION. IGF::CT::IGF CA FLAP SR89(1) TRUCKEE RIVER BRIDGE DTFH6816C00034 IGF::CT::IGF 4R RECONSTRUCTION 3 NEW ROUNDABOUTS 2 NEW BRIDGES UTILITY WORK BIKE AND PED FACILITIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-29. End: 2018-12-07.

What was the specific track record of Martin Brothers Construction on similar federal infrastructure projects prior to this award?

Information regarding Martin Brothers Construction's specific track record on prior federal infrastructure projects is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance ratings, any history of contract disputes or claims, and the scale and complexity of previously completed federal projects. Examining their portfolio of work, particularly bridge and highway construction, would offer insights into their capabilities and reliability. Federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would be the primary sources for this information. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their experience level for this specific $30.2 million contract.

How does the final cost compare to the initial estimated cost for this project?

The provided data indicates the awarded amount was $30,231,391.67 and the contract duration was 799 days. However, it does not explicitly state the initial estimated cost or whether the final cost represented an increase or decrease from that estimate. Given that it was a firm fixed-price contract awarded under full and open competition, the awarded amount is generally considered the ceiling cost. If the project was completed within budget, it implies the awarded amount was sufficient. Further investigation into pre-award estimates and any change orders issued during the contract period would be necessary to determine the precise relationship between the initial estimate and the final cost.

What were the primary risks identified during the bidding process, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not detail the specific risks identified during the bidding process for this contract. However, for a project of this scale involving bridge construction, reconstruction, and utility work, common risks typically include unforeseen subsurface conditions, environmental hazards, complex site logistics, potential labor shortages, and material price volatility. Mitigation strategies during bidding would involve thorough site investigations, detailed engineering assessments, robust scheduling plans, and contingency planning within the bid price. The firm fixed-price contract structure itself acts as a risk mitigation tool for the government by capping the contractor's potential earnings and incentivizing cost control.

What was the overall effectiveness of the project in improving traffic flow and safety in the Truckee River area?

The provided data confirms the project's completion and scope, including the construction of roundabouts and new bridges, which are typically aimed at improving traffic flow and safety. However, it does not contain post-construction performance metrics such as traffic volume data, accident rates, or travel time studies for the affected area. To assess effectiveness, one would need to compare pre- and post-construction traffic data, accident statistics, and potentially conduct user surveys. The inclusion of bike and pedestrian facilities also suggests an aim to improve safety and accessibility for all road users.

How does the spending on this specific contract compare to the average annual federal spending on similar bridge and highway reconstruction projects?

The $30.2 million awarded for the Truckee River Bridge and reconstruction project represents a significant investment. To compare this to average annual federal spending, one would need to analyze historical data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or other relevant agencies on similar bridge and highway reconstruction contracts over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying the average contract value, the number of such contracts awarded annually, and the total federal outlay for this specific category of infrastructure. Without access to this broader spending data, a direct comparison is not possible, but $30.2 million is generally considered a substantial amount for a single infrastructure project.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: DTFH6816B00001

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20 LIGHT SKY CT, SACRAMENTO, CA, 95828

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,231,392

Exercised Options: $30,231,392

Current Obligation: $30,231,392

Actual Outlays: $3,413,401

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline