Army Awards $11.1M Dam Safety Contract to Black Horse Bridge Construction for Levee Modifications
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,108,795 ($11.1M)
Contractor: Black Horse Bridge Construction Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-09-26
End Date: 2026-02-16
Contract Duration: 508 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: MAGNOLIA LEVEE DAM SAFETY MODIFICATION
Place of Performance
Location: MAGNOLIA, STARK County, OHIO, 44643
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.1 million to BLACK HORSE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION INC for work described as: MAGNOLIA LEVEE DAM SAFETY MODIFICATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical dam safety modifications. 2. Black Horse Bridge Construction Inc. is the prime contractor. 3. Competition method involved exclusion of sources, raising potential concerns. 4. The sector is Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $11.1 million for dam safety modifications appears reasonable given the scope of heavy civil engineering work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale infrastructure projects would provide a more definitive assessment of its value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This limited competition method may have restricted the pool of potential bidders and could impact price discovery, potentially leading to higher costs than a fully open process.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition raises questions about whether taxpayers received the best possible price. Further justification for excluding sources is needed to ensure optimal use of funds.
Public Impact
Ensures public safety by addressing critical dam infrastructure. Supports local economy through construction jobs and services. Potential for increased infrastructure resilience against environmental factors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition method
- Lack of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Critical infrastructure improvement
- Firm fixed price contract
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, which involves large-scale infrastructure projects. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on federal infrastructure initiatives and regional needs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract (sb: false). Efforts should be made to ensure future contracts in this sector provide opportunities for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation warrants further oversight to ensure the exclusion of sources was justified and did not unduly limit competition or inflate costs.
Related Government Programs
- Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may have increased costs.
- No small business participation.
- Justification for source exclusion needs review.
- Potential for cost overruns if initial estimates were inaccurate.
Tags
other-heavy-and-civil-engineering-constr, department-of-defense, oh, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $11.1 million to BLACK HORSE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION INC. MAGNOLIA LEVEE DAM SAFETY MODIFICATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLACK HORSE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-26. End: 2026-02-16.
What specific factors led to the exclusion of sources in this full and open competition, and how were these justified?
The justification for excluding sources in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award typically involves technical specifications, unique capabilities, or proprietary information that only a limited number of contractors can meet. The contracting agency must provide detailed documentation outlining these reasons to ensure the exclusion was necessary and did not unfairly restrict competition, thereby safeguarding taxpayer interests.
What is the projected impact of this dam safety modification on long-term flood risk reduction for the surrounding community?
The primary goal of dam safety modifications is to enhance structural integrity and operational capacity, thereby reducing the risk of failure and mitigating potential downstream flooding. The specific impact on flood risk reduction depends on the nature of the modifications, the dam's original condition, and the potential severity of failure scenarios. A thorough risk assessment should quantify the expected decrease in flood probability and impact.
How does the firm fixed price contract structure mitigate cost overruns for this project?
A firm fixed price (FFP) contract shifts the majority of the cost risk to the contractor. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently and complete the project within the agreed-upon price. While FFP contracts are generally preferred for controlling costs, the initial price must be carefully negotiated based on accurate cost estimates to avoid underbidding or overpricing.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID
Solicitation ID: W9123724B0006
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5185 WOOSTER RD W, NORTON, OH, 44203
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,383,542
Exercised Options: $11,275,542
Current Obligation: $11,108,795
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-26
Current End Date: 2026-02-16
Potential End Date: 2026-02-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-05
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