DOD Awards $24.8M for Garrison Spillway Dredging to Dubuque Barge and Fleeting Service

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,831,900 ($24.8M)

Contractor: Dubuque Barge and Fleeting Service CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-06-03

End Date: 2028-04-06

Contract Duration: 1,038 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: GARRISON SPILLWAY APPROACH DREDGE

Place of Performance

Location: COLEHARBOR, MCLEAN County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58531

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.8 million to DUBUQUE BARGE AND FLEETING SERVICE CO for work described as: GARRISON SPILLWAY APPROACH DREDGE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Dubuque Barge and Fleeting Service Co. 2. The contract is for heavy and civil engineering construction, specifically dredging. 3. The award value is $24,831,900.40. 4. The contract duration is 1038 days. 5. The procurement method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $24.8M for dredging services appears within a reasonable range for large-scale civil engineering projects. Benchmarking against similar Army Corps of Engineers dredging contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the competitive landscape and impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The $24.8M expenditure represents taxpayer funds allocated to critical infrastructure maintenance. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best value for taxpayers is a key consideration.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and safety of the Garrison Dam and Spillway. Supports regional water management and flood control capabilities. Potential for localized environmental impact during dredging operations. Contributes to the maintenance of vital federal infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
Potential for cost overruns in long-term construction contracts.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure maintenance.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for infrastructure maintenance.
Clear contract duration and delivery timeline.
Firm fixed price contract can provide cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, which is crucial for maintaining national infrastructure. Spending in this sector is often driven by government needs for public works, defense facilities, and environmental projects. Benchmarks vary widely based on project scope and location.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or awards made to small businesses for this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were subcontracted or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal construction projects, including site inspections and progress reporting, should be in place to ensure compliance and quality.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for cost overruns
Reliance on a single vendor
Unclear justification for source exclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.8 million to DUBUQUE BARGE AND FLEETING SERVICE CO. GARRISON SPILLWAY APPROACH DREDGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DUBUQUE BARGE AND FLEETING SERVICE CO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-03. End: 2028-04-06.

What specific criteria led to the exclusion of certain sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method, and how did this impact the final price?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs due to specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or security concerns that disqualify certain vendors. Understanding these criteria is crucial to assess if the exclusion was justified and if it inadvertently limited competition, potentially leading to a higher price than could have been achieved through broader open competition.

What are the potential environmental risks associated with the dredging operations, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Dredging can pose environmental risks such as sediment disruption, water quality degradation, and habitat disturbance. Mitigation strategies often include careful planning of dredging windows to avoid sensitive ecological periods, containment of disturbed sediments, and monitoring of water quality parameters to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and minimize ecological impact.

How does the $24.8M contract value compare to historical spending on similar spillway maintenance or dredging projects by the Army Corps of Engineers?

Comparing this contract's value to similar projects is essential for assessing cost-effectiveness. If historical data shows comparable projects cost significantly less, it might indicate an issue with the current pricing or competition. Conversely, if it aligns with or is lower than historical costs, it suggests reasonable value for the scope of work.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W9128F24B0010

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5 JONES ST STE 2, DUBUQUE, IA, 52001

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,831,900

Exercised Options: $24,831,900

Current Obligation: $24,831,900

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline