Army awards $119.4M for heavy civil engineering construction, with a 3-bidder competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $119,369,572 ($119.4M)

Contractor: Trumbull Corporation and Brayman Construction Corporation, a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-09-27

End Date: 2017-04-13

Contract Duration: 4,581 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 200412!000603!96CE!W911WN!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT PITTSBURGH!W911WN04C0003 !A!N! !N! ! !20040927!20091001!158228648!158228648!158228648!N!TRUMBULL CORP & BRAYMAN CONST !1020 LEBANON RD !WEST MIFFLIN !PA!15122!12704!125!42!CHARLEROI !WASHINGTON !PENN !+000000005000!N!N!000096553429!Y219!OTHER CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !* !237990!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!U!J!2!003!B! !D!N!C! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!C!Y! !N! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: MONESSEN, WESTMORELAND County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15062

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $119.4 million to TRUMBULL CORPORATION AND BRAYMAN CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: 200412!000603!96CE!W911WN!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT PITTSBURGH!W911WN04C0003 !A!N! !N! ! !20040927!20091001!158228648!158228648!158228648!N!TRUMBULL CORP & BRAYMAN CONST !1020 LEBANON RD !WEST MIFFLIN !PA!15122!12704!125!42!CHARLEROI !WASH… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a joint venture, indicating significant capacity for large-scale projects. 2. The contract duration of over 12 years suggests a long-term need for these services. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type implies that cost risks are largely borne by the contractor. 4. The project falls under 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction,' a broad category. 5. Awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers, a key agency for infrastructure development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $119.4 million for a project spanning over 12 years suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale civil engineering projects would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts cost risk to the contractor, which can be favorable for the government if managed effectively. The number of bids received (3) indicates a moderate level of competition, which typically leads to reasonable pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. Three bids were received, which suggests a reasonable, though not extensive, level of competition for this large-scale civil engineering project. While three bidders can lead to competitive pricing, a higher number of bidders often results in more aggressive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, with three bidders, likely resulted in a fair market price for the government. However, exploring if more bidders could have been attracted might reveal opportunities for even greater taxpayer savings.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely entities requiring significant heavy civil engineering construction, such as public infrastructure projects or large industrial facilities. Services delivered encompass the construction of major civil engineering facilities, potentially including dams, levees, bridges, or other large-scale infrastructure. The geographic impact is centered in Pennsylvania, as indicated by the contractor's address, but could extend to areas served by the Army Engineer District Pittsburgh. Workforce implications would involve the creation of numerous construction-related jobs, including skilled trades, project management, and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 12 years) could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed meticulously.
Limited competition (3 bidders) might mean missed opportunities for more aggressive pricing.
The broad 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' category lacks specificity, making detailed performance assessment challenging without further project details.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type transfers cost risk to the contractor.
Awarded under full and open competition, ensuring a broad base of potential contractors.
The contractor is a joint venture, suggesting significant capacity and experience for complex projects.

Sector Analysis

The heavy civil engineering construction sector is characterized by large-scale projects requiring substantial capital investment and specialized expertise. This contract falls within the broader construction industry, specifically focusing on infrastructure development. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific type of facility being constructed, but projects of this magnitude are typical for government agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers responsible for national infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication of small business set-asides for this contract. Given the large dollar value and the nature of heavy civil engineering, it is likely that the prime contractor is a large business or a joint venture of larger entities. Subcontracting opportunities may exist for smaller businesses, but this would depend on the specific needs of the project and the prime contractor's subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army, likely through the Army Corps of Engineers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance clauses, delivery schedules, and quality control requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed project-specific oversight information may be limited to internal agency reporting.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Infrastructure Development and Rehabilitation
Heavy Construction Contracts
Federal Public Works Projects

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or unforeseen cost increases.
Limited number of bidders could indicate potential market concentration or barriers to entry.
Broad NAICS code requires further investigation for specific project risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $119.4 million to TRUMBULL CORPORATION AND BRAYMAN CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, A JOINT VENTURE. 200412!000603!96CE!W911WN!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT PITTSBURGH!W911WN04C0003 !A!N! !N! ! !20040927!20091001!158228648!158228648!158228648!N!TRUMBULL CORP & BRAYMAN CONST !1020 LEBANON RD !WEST MIFFLIN !PA!15122!12704!125!42!CHARLEROI !WASHINGTON !PENN !+000000005000!N!N!000096553429!Y219!OTHER CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !* !237990!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRUMBULL CORPORATION AND BRAYMAN CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, A JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $119.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-27. End: 2017-04-13.

What specific type of 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' was this contract for?

The provided data indicates the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 237990, categorized as 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.' This broad classification typically encompasses construction projects not elsewhere classified, such as the construction of tunnels, subways, dams, bridges, highways, streets, and other infrastructure projects. Without more specific project details or a project title, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact nature of the facilities constructed. However, given the awarding agency (Army Corps of Engineers) and the substantial value, it likely pertains to significant public infrastructure or defense-related civil engineering works.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar projects awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers?

A direct comparison of pricing for this $119.4 million contract to similar Army Corps of Engineers projects requires access to a database of comparable contracts with detailed cost breakdowns and project scopes. The provided data indicates a firm-fixed-price contract awarded after a competition involving three bidders. While the firm-fixed-price structure shifts cost risk to the contractor, the ultimate value for money depends on the contractor's efficiency and the initial pricing strategy. Benchmarking would involve analyzing the cost per unit of work (e.g., cost per linear foot of tunnel, cost per cubic yard of concrete) against projects of similar complexity and scale within the same geographic region or type of construction.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the success of this contract?

Key performance indicators for a contract of this nature would typically include adherence to the project schedule, quality of construction meeting specified standards, adherence to budget (especially relevant for fixed-price contracts where contractor overruns are their responsibility), safety performance, and compliance with environmental regulations. For a long-term project, KPIs might also track the successful completion of milestones and the overall functionality of the completed facility. The Army Corps of Engineers would have specific quality assurance and inspection protocols to monitor these aspects throughout the contract's duration.

What is the track record of the joint venture 'TRUMBULL CORPORATION & BRAYMAN CONST' on federal contracts?

The provided data identifies 'TRUMBULL CORP & BRAYMAN CONST' as the contractor, operating as a joint venture. To assess their track record on federal contracts, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards and performance history under these entities. Information on past performance, including any instances of contract disputes, performance issues, or successful project completions, would be crucial. The fact that they were awarded a contract of this magnitude suggests they have a history of successful performance or possess the necessary qualifications and capacity to undertake such a project.

How has federal spending in 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' evolved over the years, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending in 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' (NAICS 237990) can fluctuate significantly based on national infrastructure priorities, economic conditions, and specific agency funding allocations. This $119.4 million contract, awarded in 2004 with an end date in 2017, represents a substantial single award within its timeframe. To understand its place in the broader spending trend, one would need to analyze historical spending data for NAICS 237990 across all federal agencies. This contract likely reflects a period of investment in civil infrastructure, potentially driven by specific needs identified by the Army Corps of Engineers during that era.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1020 LEBANON RD, WEST MIFFLIN, PA, 15122

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline