DoD awards $12.8M for Bridge Erection Boats, raising questions on value and competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,824,070 ($12.8M)
Contractor: Aluminum Chambered Boats, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-07-24
End Date: 2010-04-01
Contract Duration: 616 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BRIDGE ERECTION BOATS (BEB)
Place of Performance
Location: BELLINGHAM, WHATCOM County, WASHINGTON, 98225
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.8 million to ALUMINUM CHAMBERED BOATS, INC. for work described as: BRIDGE ERECTION BOATS (BEB) Key points: 1. The contract for Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) was awarded to Aluminum Chambered Boats, Inc. for $12.8 million. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, but the specific impact on price discovery is unclear. 3. The contract duration was 616 days, suggesting a need for specialized equipment. 4. The lack of small business participation is noted. 5. The sector is 'Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing', which may not directly reflect the specialized nature of BEBs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $12.8 million for 1 BEB seems high, especially considering the duration. Benchmarking against similar specialized marine construction equipment is difficult without more data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically drives competitive pricing. However, the limited number of bids or specific market dynamics could have influenced the final price.
Taxpayer Impact: The $12.8 million expenditure represents taxpayer funds allocated for critical military engineering capabilities.
Public Impact
Military engineering capabilities are enhanced with the acquisition of specialized bridge erection boats. The Department of the Navy's investment supports operational readiness and infrastructure deployment. The procurement process aimed for competitive pricing, but the ultimate value for taxpayer dollars requires further scrutiny. The contract's duration suggests a significant project requiring specialized marine assets.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High per-unit cost potential
- Limited small business participation
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition
- Supports critical military infrastructure needs
Sector Analysis
The procurement falls under 'All Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing' (NAICS 336399), which is a broad category. Specialized marine construction equipment like BEBs may operate outside typical automotive benchmarks, making sector-specific comparisons challenging.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the prime contractor is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small business subcontracting were either not pursued or not required.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Navy, part of the Department of Defense. Standard procurement oversight processes would apply, but specific details on monitoring and accountability for this particular contract are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- High potential cost per unit
- Lack of small business participation
- Broad NAICS code may obscure specialized nature
- Limited performance data available
Tags
all-other-motor-vehicle-parts-manufactur, department-of-defense, wa, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $12.8 million to ALUMINUM CHAMBERED BOATS, INC.. BRIDGE ERECTION BOATS (BEB)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALUMINUM CHAMBERED BOATS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-07-24. End: 2010-04-01.
What is the specific operational requirement driving the need for these Bridge Erection Boats, and how does their capability compare to alternative solutions?
The operational requirement likely pertains to rapid deployment of bridging capabilities in various terrains and operational environments. Comparing BEBs to alternatives involves assessing factors like deployment speed, load capacity, terrain adaptability, and logistical support needs. Without detailed specifications, it's difficult to definitively state if BEBs offer the most cost-effective solution.
Given the $12.8 million award for potentially a single unit (no: 1), what is the breakdown of costs, and how does it align with industry benchmarks for specialized marine construction equipment?
The provided data lacks a cost breakdown, making a precise benchmark difficult. The $12.8 million figure, especially if for a single boat, appears substantial. Industry benchmarks for highly specialized, custom-built marine vessels can vary significantly based on features, materials, and technological integration. Further analysis would require detailed specifications and comparable contract data.
What measures were in place to ensure fair pricing and maximize value for taxpayer dollars under the 'full and open competition' award?
Full and open competition theoretically ensures fair pricing by allowing all responsible sources to submit offers. However, the effectiveness depends on the number of bidders, the clarity of the solicitation, and the evaluation criteria. Without knowing the number of bids received or the specific evaluation process, it's hard to confirm if maximum value was achieved or if potential cost savings were missed.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing › All Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: SHIPS, SMALL CRAFT, PONTOON, DOCKS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 803 HARRIS AVE STE 9, BELLINGHAM, WA, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,824,070
Exercised Options: $12,824,070
Current Obligation: $12,824,070
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS07F0133M
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-07-24
Current End Date: 2010-04-01
Potential End Date: 2010-04-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-07-21
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