DoD Awards $22.2M for Lower San Joaquin River Geotechnical Services in Stockton, CA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,255,230 ($22.3M)

Contractor: Kleinfelder - Stantec Usace a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-09-24

End Date: 2027-03-01

Contract Duration: 1,984 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Engineering Services

Official Description: PROJECT TITLE AND LOCATION: LOWER SAN JOAQUIN RIVER GEOTECHNICAL DATA REPORTS AND GEOTECHNICAL BASIS OF DESIGN REPORT, PHASES A, B, C, D, E, AND F. STOCKTON, CA.

Place of Performance

Location: STOCKTON, SAN JOAQUIN County, CALIFORNIA, 95203

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.3 million to KLEINFELDER - STANTEC USACE A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: PROJECT TITLE AND LOCATION: LOWER SAN JOAQUIN RIVER GEOTECHNICAL DATA REPORTS AND GEOTECHNICAL BASIS OF DESIGN REPORT, PHASES A, B, C, D, E, AND F. STOCKTON, CA. Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical infrastructure engineering services for flood control and water management. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk appears moderate, with a long performance period and a firm-fixed-price contract. 4. The sector is engineering services, crucial for civil works projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.2M for comprehensive geotechnical services over nearly 2000 days appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure planning and design, aiming for long-term flood risk reduction and water resource management benefits.

Public Impact

Enhances flood protection for the Lower San Joaquin River region. Supports critical water infrastructure planning and development. Provides essential data for future engineering and construction phases. Contributes to the economic stability of the Stockton area by addressing infrastructure needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (1984 days) increases potential for scope creep or unforeseen cost escalations.
Firm-fixed-price contract may not fully account for potential geological surprises.
Reliance on a single joint venture for all phases could limit flexibility.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests potential for cost savings.
Project addresses critical infrastructure needs with long-term benefits.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting civil works and infrastructure projects. Spending in this area is often driven by federal and state initiatives for water management, flood control, and environmental protection.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to a joint venture (Kleinfelder - Stantec). There is no explicit information on small business participation within this specific award, which warrants further investigation to ensure opportunities for small businesses are being maximized.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army, specifically USACE, is responsible for this project. Oversight will likely involve regular progress reviews, milestone tracking, and quality assurance checks to ensure deliverables meet contract requirements and taxpayer expectations.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to long contract duration.
Risk of unforeseen geological conditions impacting project scope.
Limited visibility into small business subcontracting opportunities.
Dependence on a single joint venture for multiple project phases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.3 million to KLEINFELDER - STANTEC USACE A JOINT VENTURE. PROJECT TITLE AND LOCATION: LOWER SAN JOAQUIN RIVER GEOTECHNICAL DATA REPORTS AND GEOTECHNICAL BASIS OF DESIGN REPORT, PHASES A, B, C, D, E, AND F. STOCKTON, CA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KLEINFELDER - STANTEC USACE 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 $22.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-24. End: 2027-03-01.

What is the estimated cost per day for these geotechnical services, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar projects?

The total contract value is $22,255,229.80 over approximately 1984 days, equating to roughly $11,217 per day. This daily rate should be benchmarked against similar large-scale geotechnical investigation contracts managed by USACE or other federal agencies to assess its competitiveness and value for money.

What are the specific risks associated with the long duration and firm-fixed-price nature of this contract, particularly concerning potential geological uncertainties?

The extended performance period increases the risk of changing site conditions or unforeseen geological challenges not fully captured in the initial scope. A firm-fixed-price contract, while offering cost certainty, may not adequately accommodate significant discoveries that require extensive redesign or additional work, potentially leading to change orders or disputes.

How effectively does the full and open competition process ensure the best technical expertise and value are secured for this complex engineering project?

Full and open competition is designed to solicit a wide range of qualified bidders, fostering a competitive environment that theoretically leads to the best technical solutions and pricing. The success of this process hinges on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria used, and the government's ability to accurately assess both technical merit and cost proposals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 770 FIRST AVE, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,255,230

Exercised Options: $22,255,230

Current Obligation: $22,255,230

Actual Outlays: $2,553,070

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9123821D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline