DHS Coast Guard awards $31.2M Time & Materials contract for Remediation Services to BISSO MARINE CO., INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,261,635 ($31.3M)

Contractor: Bisso Marine CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2006-11-03

End Date: 2007-03-31

Contract Duration: 148 days

Daily Burn Rate: $211.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: DELIVERY ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: NORFOLK, NORFOLK (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 23510

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $31.3 million to BISSO MARINE CO., INC. for work described as: DELIVERY ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded as Time & Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 2. No competition was utilized for this award, raising questions about price discovery and value for taxpayer money. 3. The contract duration of 148 days is relatively short, suggesting a specific, time-bound need. 4. The NAICS code 562910 indicates a focus on hazardous waste treatment and disposal services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract was awarded on a Time and Materials basis without competition. This pricing structure, combined with a lack of competitive bidding, makes it difficult to assess if the $31.2 million price represents fair value compared to similar remediation services contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. The absence of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve the best possible price and terms.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a significant $31.2 million award means taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution available.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have paid more than necessary due to the lack of competitive bidding. The specific remediation services provided are critical for environmental protection and safety. The award highlights potential areas for improved procurement practices within the U.S. Coast Guard.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Time and Materials pricing
Potential for cost overruns

Positive Signals

Awarded to a single vendor, potentially indicating specialized capabilities
Contract addresses critical environmental remediation needs

Sector Analysis

The remediation services sector involves specialized environmental cleanup and waste management. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on regulatory requirements and the scale of environmental incidents. This contract's value is substantial for a short-duration project.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The lack of competition and use of Time and Materials pricing warrant close oversight to ensure the contractor is performing efficiently and costs are justified. Robust monitoring by the U.S. Coast Guard is essential.

Related Government Programs

Remediation Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Coast Guard Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Use of Time and Materials contract type
Potential for cost overruns
No indication of small business participation
Limited transparency on award justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $31.3 million to BISSO MARINE CO., INC.. DELIVERY ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BISSO MARINE CO., INC..

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 $31.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-11-03. End: 2007-03-31.

What specific remediation services were performed under this contract, and were they critical to immediate operational needs?

The contract was for Remediation Services under NAICS code 562910, which typically includes hazardous waste treatment and disposal. Given the award by the U.S. Coast Guard, these services likely addressed environmental hazards related to maritime operations, port security, or disaster response, making them critical for safety and regulatory compliance.

What factors led to the decision to award this contract on a sole-source, Time and Materials basis?

The data does not specify the reasons for the sole-source, Time and Materials award. Potential justifications could include an urgent, unforeseen need for specialized services where only one vendor possessed the required expertise or equipment, or a situation where the scope of work was too uncertain to define fixed prices upfront.

How effectively was the contractor's performance monitored to ensure value and prevent cost escalation with the Time and Materials contract?

The provided data does not detail the performance monitoring mechanisms. However, for Time and Materials contracts, especially sole-source awards, effective oversight typically involves rigorous tracking of labor hours, material costs, and adherence to the Statement of Work to mitigate risks of inflated billing and ensure the project stays within reasonable cost parameters.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: FOOT OF WALNUT & MISSISSIPPI RIVER, NEW ORLEANS, LA, 02

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,261,635

Exercised Options: $31,261,635

Current Obligation: $31,261,635

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCG8404A800134

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline