DoD Awards $26.3M for Holt Lock Monolith Restoration to C. J. Mahan Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,306,940 ($26.3M)

Contractor: C. J. Mahan Construction Company, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-07-18

End Date: 2026-10-09

Contract Duration: 448 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: HOLT LOCK MONOLITH R14 RESTORATION

Place of Performance

Location: NORTHPORT, TUSCALOOSA County, ALABAMA, 35476

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.3 million to C. J. MAHAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC for work described as: HOLT LOCK MONOLITH R14 RESTORATION Key points: 1. The contract is for heavy and civil engineering construction, specifically the restoration of the Holt Lock Monolith. 2. Awarded by the Department of the Army, this project has a firm fixed price. 3. The contract duration is 448 days, with an estimated completion date in October 2026. 4. The base bid was $5.87 million, significantly lower than the total award amount, suggesting potential for modifications or additional work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract award of $26.3M appears to be for a significant construction project. Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed scope breakdown, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the base bid of $5.87M suggests the final award may include substantial contingency, options, or scope expansion.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is expected to yield a fair price for taxpayers, although the significant difference between the base bid and the total award warrants further scrutiny of the final cost.

Public Impact

Infrastructure improvement at the Holt Lock, crucial for navigation and regional economy. Potential for job creation in Alabama's heavy construction sector. Ensures the continued operational integrity of a key federal waterway asset. Transparency in bidding process due to full and open competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 58 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Significant difference between base bid and total award amount.
  • Lack of detailed cost breakdown for the full award value.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Firm fixed price contract type limits cost overrun risk.
  • Project addresses critical infrastructure maintenance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector. Spending in this sector is vital for maintaining and upgrading national infrastructure, including locks, dams, and waterways. Benchmarks for similar large-scale civil engineering projects vary widely based on scope and location.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to C. J. Mahan Construction Company, LLC, which is not explicitly identified as a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals or participation in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms should be in place to ensure proper execution and financial accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost growth due to large award vs. base bid.
  • Contract duration may increase risk of unforeseen issues.
  • Lack of small business participation noted.
  • Limited insight into specific scope of work for full award value.

Tags

other-heavy-and-civil-engineering-constr, department-of-defense, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.3 million to C. J. MAHAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC. HOLT LOCK MONOLITH R14 RESTORATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is C. J. MAHAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, 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 $26.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-18. End: 2026-10-09.

What factors contributed to the significant increase from the base bid to the total contract award amount?

The substantial difference between the base bid ($5.87M) and the total award ($26.3M) could be attributed to several factors. These may include the inclusion of extensive contingency funds for unforeseen site conditions, the incorporation of multiple options for additional work or phases, escalation clauses for material and labor costs over the contract duration, or a broader scope of work than initially defined in the base bid requirements. Further clarification from the contracting agency would be necessary to pinpoint the exact reasons.

What are the potential risks associated with the long contract duration and the large award value?

A long contract duration (448 days) for a large value project ($26.3M) presents risks such as potential cost escalation beyond initial estimates if not adequately controlled by contract terms, the possibility of scope creep if not managed tightly, and the risk of contractor performance degradation over time. Ensuring robust project management, clear communication channels, and strict adherence to the fixed-price terms are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure successful project completion within budget.

How effectively does this contract ensure the long-term structural integrity and operational readiness of the Holt Lock Monolith?

The contract's focus on 'Restoration' suggests it aims to address necessary repairs and maintenance to ensure the Holt Lock Monolith's structural integrity and operational readiness. The firm fixed-price nature, coupled with full and open competition, should incentivize the contractor to perform quality work efficiently. However, the effectiveness will ultimately depend on the thoroughness of the restoration plan, the quality of execution, and ongoing monitoring by the Department of the Army.

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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3458 LEWIS CENTRE WAY, URBANCREST, OH, 43123

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,306,940

Exercised Options: $26,306,940

Current Obligation: $26,306,940

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline

Start Date: 2025-07-18

Current End Date: 2026-10-09

Potential End Date: 2026-10-09 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-01-09

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