Army awards $19.3M construction contract for Foster Fish Facility, highlighting infrastructure investment in Oregon

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,346,631 ($19.3M)

Contractor: Natt Mcdougall Company, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-08-10

End Date: 2014-06-30

Contract Duration: 689 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FOSTER FISH FACILITY CONSTRUCTION SVCS

Place of Performance

Location: SWEET HOME, LINN County, OREGON, 97386

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.3 million to NATT MCDOUGALL COMPANY, THE for work described as: FOSTER FISH FACILITY CONSTRUCTION SVCS Key points: 1. Contract value of $19.3 million indicates significant investment in specialized facility construction. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 4. The project duration of approximately 689 days suggests a substantial construction undertaking. 5. The contractor, The Natt McDougall Company, has secured a significant federal award. 6. The project falls under heavy and civil engineering construction, a critical infrastructure sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $19.3 million for the Foster Fish Facility construction appears reasonable for a specialized civil engineering project of this scale. Benchmarking against similar federal construction projects for aquatic facilities or environmental infrastructure would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively, though the final cost is dependent on the contractor's execution.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely invited to submit proposals. With 6 bidders participating, the competition level appears healthy, which typically drives more competitive pricing and better value for the government. This broad competition suggests that the market has sufficient capacity for this type of specialized construction.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition award. It ensures that the government is receiving services from a qualified contractor at a market-driven rate.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or other relevant environmental agencies responsible for fish hatcheries and conservation efforts. The services delivered include the construction of essential infrastructure for fish rearing and management. The geographic impact is concentrated in Oregon, supporting regional environmental and conservation goals. The project will likely involve a significant construction workforce, including skilled trades and project management personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite the fixed-price contract.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to meet the construction timeline and quality standards.
Risk associated with the specialized nature of fish facility construction, requiring specific expertise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides budget certainty.
The contractor, The Natt McDougall Company, has experience in heavy construction.
The project addresses critical infrastructure needs for fish conservation and management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector (NAICS 237990), which encompasses a wide range of infrastructure projects including dams, bridges, and environmental facilities. The federal government is a significant investor in this sector, funding projects related to transportation, water management, and environmental protection. The market for specialized construction services like fish hatcheries requires contractors with specific engineering and environmental expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal or state contracts for similar aquatic or environmental infrastructure projects.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger firm, and the impact on the small business ecosystem will depend on whether the prime contractor utilizes small business subcontractors. Without explicit set-aside provisions or reported subcontracting plans, the direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award may be limited.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Army or the relevant agency utilizing the facility. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, payment schedules tied to milestones, and potential penalties for non-compliance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract details, though specific project oversight reports may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Bureau of Reclamation Construction Contracts
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Infrastructure
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Construction Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise.
Dependence on contractor's specialized expertise for successful project completion.
Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations during construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.3 million to NATT MCDOUGALL COMPANY, THE. FOSTER FISH FACILITY CONSTRUCTION SVCS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATT MCDOUGALL COMPANY, THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-08-10. End: 2014-06-30.

What is the track record of The Natt McDougall Company with federal contracts, particularly in specialized construction?

The Natt McDougall Company has a history of federal contracting, primarily with the Department of Defense and other agencies involved in infrastructure projects. Their experience often includes heavy civil engineering and construction services. While specific details on their performance for similar fish facility projects would require a deeper dive into past contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), their ability to win a competitive bid for this $19.3 million contract suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and capacity. Further analysis would involve reviewing their past performance ratings on federal contracts to assess reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets.

How does the $19.3 million award compare to the typical cost of similar federal fish hatchery construction projects?

Benchmarking the $19.3 million award requires comparing it to similar federal projects for fish hatcheries or aquatic environmental infrastructure. The cost of such facilities can vary significantly based on size, complexity, specific technological requirements (e.g., water treatment, climate control), and geographic location. Generally, specialized environmental construction projects can be costly due to unique engineering demands and regulatory compliance. Without access to a database of comparable projects with detailed cost breakdowns, it's challenging to definitively state if $19.3 million is high or low. However, for a substantial facility, this figure appears within a plausible range for specialized federal infrastructure investment.

What are the primary risks associated with the construction of specialized fish facilities, and how are they mitigated in this contract?

Key risks in constructing specialized fish facilities include unforeseen geological or hydrological conditions, challenges in meeting stringent water quality and environmental standards, and the integration of complex life-support systems for aquatic species. This contract, being a firm fixed-price award, aims to mitigate financial risks for the government by capping the total cost. Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed site investigations prior to award, robust engineering designs, and clear performance specifications. The contractor's expertise in specialized construction is also a critical factor. The government's oversight through a COR and quality assurance personnel would further monitor progress and adherence to specifications to manage performance risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Foster Fish Facility or similar aquatic infrastructure projects by the Department of Defense?

Historical spending by the Department of Defense (DoD) on aquatic infrastructure like the Foster Fish Facility is not a primary focus compared to its core mission of defense readiness. However, the DoD does manage numerous environmental programs and infrastructure projects, including those related to natural resource management on military installations, which can involve fish and wildlife habitats. Spending on such projects is often project-specific and driven by environmental compliance mandates, conservation efforts, or specific operational needs. Analyzing historical spending would require examining specific program budgets within the Army Corps of Engineers or other relevant DoD entities that oversee environmental and infrastructure development, rather than a consistent pattern for 'fish facilities' as a standalone category.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type influence the contractor's approach to managing project scope and potential changes?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract places the majority of the risk on the contractor regarding cost overruns. This incentivizes the contractor, The Natt McDougall Company, to meticulously manage the project scope, control costs, and avoid scope creep. Any changes to the original scope of work typically require a formal contract modification, often involving negotiation of additional costs and time extensions. The contractor is motivated to perform the work as defined in the contract efficiently to maximize profit. Conversely, the government benefits from price certainty, as the final cost is fixed unless modifications are formally approved. This contract structure encourages detailed planning and execution by the contractor.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W9127N12R0009

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20182 SW 112TH AVE, TUALATIN, OR, 97062

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,346,631

Exercised Options: $19,346,631

Current Obligation: $19,346,631

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline