DoD Awards $1.94 Billion for Sault Ste. Marie Lock Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,935,590,947 ($1.9B)

Contractor: Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-06-30

End Date: 2029-07-08

Contract Duration: 2,565 days

Daily Burn Rate: $754.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW THIRD LOCK, NEW LOCK AT THE SOO, SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN.

Place of Performance

Location: SAULT SAINTE MARIE, CHIPPEWA County, MICHIGAN, 49783

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $1.94 billion to KOKOSING ALBERICI TRAYLOR, LLC for work described as: CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW THIRD LOCK, NEW LOCK AT THE SOO, SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN. Key points: 1. The contract awarded to KOKOSING ALBERICI TRAYLOR, LLC is for a significant infrastructure project. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The project faces risks associated with long duration and potential economic price adjustments. 4. This falls under the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value is substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering projects is difficult without more granular cost data. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure introduces variability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition is a positive sign for price discovery. However, the long duration and economic price adjustment clauses may introduce uncertainty and potential for cost escalation over time.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted by the significant investment in critical infrastructure, with potential for cost fluctuations due to economic adjustments.

Public Impact

Enhances Great Lakes shipping capacity and economic activity. Creates jobs during the construction phase in Michigan. Represents a major federal investment in national infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 70 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Long project duration (over 7 years)
  • Economic price adjustment clauses
  • Potential for unforeseen construction challenges

Positive Signals

  • Significant infrastructure investment
  • Full and open competition utilized
  • Addresses critical national waterway needs

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, which involves large-scale public works. Spending benchmarks for projects of this magnitude are highly variable and depend on specific scope and location.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to KOKOSING ALBERICI TRAYLOR, LLC. Information on small business subcontracting participation is not detailed in the provided data, but large infrastructure projects often have subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense, specifically the Army Corps of Engineers, is responsible for this project. Oversight will be crucial given the project's scale, duration, and contract type to ensure cost control and timely completion.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Cost escalation due to economic price adjustments
  • Potential for construction delays
  • Complexity of large-scale civil engineering projects
  • Long-term maintenance and operational costs

Tags

other-heavy-and-civil-engineering-constr, department-of-defense, mi, definitive-contract, billion-dollar

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $1.94 billion to KOKOSING ALBERICI TRAYLOR, LLC. CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW THIRD LOCK, NEW LOCK AT THE SOO, SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KOKOSING ALBERICI TRAYLOR, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.94 billion.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-30. End: 2029-07-08.

What is the projected economic benefit of the new lock to the Great Lakes region?

The new lock is expected to significantly improve shipping efficiency and capacity on the Great Lakes, potentially leading to reduced transportation costs for goods. This could stimulate regional economic activity, support industries reliant on Great Lakes shipping, and enhance the competitiveness of businesses operating in the area. Quantifying the exact economic benefit requires further analysis of projected trade volumes and cost savings.

How will the economic price adjustment clauses be managed to mitigate taxpayer risk?

The economic price adjustment (EPA) clauses are designed to account for fluctuations in material and labor costs over the long project duration. The Department of Defense will likely implement strict monitoring and verification processes for any cost increases claimed under the EPA. This may involve requiring detailed documentation from the contractor and potentially independent cost audits to ensure that adjustments are reasonable and directly tied to documented economic factors.

What measures are in place to ensure the long-term effectiveness and durability of the new lock?

Ensuring long-term effectiveness involves robust design standards, quality control during construction, and adherence to stringent engineering specifications. The Army Corps of Engineers will likely oversee the construction process closely, conducting inspections and testing at various stages. Furthermore, a comprehensive maintenance and operational plan will be developed to ensure the lock's continued functionality and structural integrity throughout its intended lifespan.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionOther Heavy and Civil Engineering ConstructionOther Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIESCONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W911XK21R0001

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6235 WESTERVILLE RD, WESTERVILLE, OH, 43081

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,935,590,947

Exercised Options: $1,935,590,947

Current Obligation: $1,935,590,947

Actual Outlays: $160,069,425

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2022-06-30

Current End Date: 2029-07-08

Potential End Date: 2029-07-08 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-04

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