Navy awards $20.6M for Mayport wharf repair, highlighting extensive construction needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,590,893 ($20.6M)

Contractor: American Bridge CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-07-18

End Date: 2011-02-14

Contract Duration: 941 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: RPR WHARF DELTA BULKHEAD, NS MAYPORT

Place of Performance

Location: JACKSONVILLE, DUVAL County, FLORIDA, 32228

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.6 million to AMERICAN BRIDGE CO for work described as: RPR WHARF DELTA BULKHEAD, NS MAYPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical naval infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a healthy market for heavy civil engineering services. 3. Project duration of 941 days indicates a complex and substantial undertaking. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. Geographic concentration in Florida points to regional infrastructure priorities. 6. The award falls within the broader category of heavy and civil engineering construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $20.6 million for wharf repair at NS Mayport appears reasonable given the scope of heavy civil engineering construction. Without specific benchmarks for similar wharf repair projects in the region or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price contract type suggests an effort to establish a clear cost ceiling. The number of bidders (9) also implies a competitive environment that likely contributed to a fair market price.

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. The solicitation attracted 9 bidders, suggesting a robust level of interest and a competitive marketplace for this type of heavy civil engineering service. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders is beneficial for taxpayers, as it increases the likelihood of securing the best possible price and quality for the wharf repair services.

Public Impact

Naval Station Mayport in Florida benefits from improved and maintained critical infrastructure. The project supports naval operations by ensuring the readiness of berthing facilities. The construction work likely involves a skilled labor force in the Florida region. The successful completion of the project contributes to the overall operational capacity of the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise during construction.
Delays in project completion could impact naval operational schedules.
Ensuring adherence to environmental regulations during marine construction activities.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract helps mitigate cost escalation risks.
Multiple bidders indicate a competitive market, likely leading to better pricing.
Award to a single contractor streamlines project management and accountability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, a critical component of national infrastructure development and maintenance. This sector encompasses a wide range of projects, including ports, bridges, dams, and other large-scale public works. Spending in this area is often driven by government needs for military readiness, transportation, and economic development. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in large infrastructure projects awarded by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or the Department of Transportation.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this specific award, though they may have participated as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting opportunities associated with this project.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight mechanisms. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Accountability rests with AMERICAN BRIDGE CO for project delivery and the Department of the Navy for contract administration and oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed project progress and specific oversight activities may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Naval Infrastructure Modernization Programs
Military Construction Projects
Port and Harbor Development Projects
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Environmental compliance during marine construction.
Long project duration increases exposure to external risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.6 million to AMERICAN BRIDGE CO. RPR WHARF DELTA BULKHEAD, NS MAYPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN BRIDGE CO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-07-18. End: 2011-02-14.

What is the track record of AMERICAN BRIDGE CO in performing similar heavy civil engineering construction contracts for the Department of Defense?

AMERICAN BRIDGE CO has a significant history of performing large-scale construction projects, including those for the Department of Defense. Their portfolio often includes complex infrastructure such as bridges, marine facilities, and other heavy civil engineering works. While specific details on past performance for similar wharf repair projects at naval installations would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reviews, their general experience suggests a capability to handle projects of this magnitude. It's important to review past performance evaluations and any reported issues or successes on previous DoD contracts to fully assess their suitability and reliability for this specific award.

How does the awarded amount of $20.6 million compare to the estimated cost or benchmark for similar wharf repair projects?

Benchmarking the $20.6 million award for wharf repair at NS Mayport against similar projects is challenging without access to detailed cost breakdowns and specific project scopes. Wharf repair projects can vary significantly in complexity, materials used, and the extent of structural work required. Factors such as seismic considerations, depth of water, soil conditions, and the specific type of wharf structure all influence cost. Generally, large-scale marine construction and repair projects are substantial investments. The fact that 9 bidders competed suggests the market found the opportunity viable, which can be an indirect indicator of reasonable pricing, but a direct comparison to publicly available benchmark data for identical projects is often difficult.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of heavy civil engineering construction contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks in heavy civil engineering construction, particularly for marine structures like wharves, include unforeseen subsurface conditions (e.g., soil instability, buried debris), environmental hazards (e.g., weather, marine life impacts), and potential for schedule delays due to logistical challenges or regulatory hurdles. For this contract, the fixed-price nature helps mitigate financial risks for the government by establishing a ceiling. Mitigation strategies employed by the contractor would typically involve thorough site investigations prior to bidding, robust project management plans, contingency planning for weather and unforeseen conditions, and strict adherence to environmental compliance protocols. The government's role includes oversight to ensure these mitigation efforts are effective.

What is the historical spending pattern for wharf maintenance and repair at Naval Station Mayport or similar naval facilities?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for wharf maintenance and repair at Naval Station Mayport or similar naval facilities requires access to detailed historical contract data. Naval installations, especially those with significant operational fleets, require continuous investment in their berthing and support infrastructure. Spending on wharf repair can be cyclical, often driven by deferred maintenance, aging infrastructure, and specific modernization initiatives. Without specific historical data for Mayport, it's difficult to establish a precise pattern. However, it's reasonable to assume that such facilities undergo regular, often substantial, repair and upgrade cycles, with individual contract values fluctuating based on the scope and urgency of the required work.

How does the duration of 941 days (approximately 2.5 years) impact the overall value and risk of this contract?

A contract duration of 941 days for wharf repair signifies a project of considerable scale and complexity. From a value perspective, a longer duration can sometimes indicate a more thorough and comprehensive approach to the repair, potentially leading to a more durable and long-lasting outcome. However, it also increases the exposure to potential cost escalations if not managed tightly, although the fixed-price nature mitigates this for the government. From a risk perspective, a longer timeline inherently increases the window for unforeseen issues, such as environmental changes, material price fluctuations (though less impactful on fixed-price), or shifts in operational priorities. Effective project management and clear communication channels are crucial to managing the risks associated with such an extended project timeline.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: N6945008R1258

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: American Bridge Holding Company (UEI: 609143086)

Address: 5430 W TYSON AVE, TAMPA, FL, 90

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,590,893

Exercised Options: $20,590,893

Current Obligation: $20,590,893

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline