DoD Awards $24.8M Ship Repair Contract to Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors for Driftmaster Replacement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,767,828 ($24.8M)

Contractor: Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-03-12

End Date: 2026-10-11

Contract Duration: 2,039 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 2801 NAN DRIFTMASTER REPLACEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: HOUMA, TERREBONNE County, LOUISIANA, 70363

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.8 million to THOMA-SEA MARINE CONSTRUCTORS, L.L.C. for work described as: 2801 NAN DRIFTMASTER REPLACEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, a single entity, for a significant sum. 2. The contract falls under Ship Building and Repairing, a critical defense sector. 3. Full and open competition was conducted after excluding other sources, suggesting a specific justification. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $24.8 million for a ship replacement project appears within a reasonable range for specialized marine construction. Benchmarking against similar, complex shipbuilding or repair contracts would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while competition was sought, specific criteria limited the pool of eligible bidders. This method can impact price discovery if the exclusion criteria were overly restrictive.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for a critical defense asset replacement. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best value for taxpayer dollars is a key consideration.

Public Impact

Ensures the operational readiness of naval assets by replacing aging equipment. Supports the shipbuilding and repair industry, potentially creating or sustaining jobs. The specific exclusion of sources may warrant further investigation into the rationale and its impact on overall cost-effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Firm Fixed Price contract type may not fully account for unforeseen complexities in specialized shipbuilding.
Contract duration extends over several years, increasing exposure to market fluctuations.

Positive Signals

Clear objective for asset replacement.
Use of a firm-fixed-price contract to manage costs.
Competition, even if limited, was pursued.

Sector Analysis

The Ship Building and Repairing sector is capital-intensive and requires specialized expertise. Defense contracts in this area often involve significant investment due to the complexity and strategic importance of naval vessels.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's duration and value suggest a need for robust oversight from the Department of the Army to ensure adherence to terms, quality of work, and timely delivery. Monitoring the 'exclusion of sources' justification is also crucial.

Related Government Programs

Ship Building and Repairing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise in specialized construction.
Long contract duration increases risk exposure.
Lack of transparency regarding small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.8 million to THOMA-SEA MARINE CONSTRUCTORS, L.L.C.. 2801 NAN DRIFTMASTER REPLACEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THOMA-SEA MARINE CONSTRUCTORS, L.L.C..

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: 2021-03-12. End: 2026-10-11.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the full and open competition, and how did this impact the final contract price?

The justification for excluding sources is critical to understanding the competitive landscape. If the exclusion was based on highly specialized capabilities or unique requirements, it might be justifiable. However, if it unduly limited the bidder pool, it could have led to a higher price than a truly open competition might have yielded. Further documentation is needed to assess the validity of the exclusion and its financial implications.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will the government measure the success of the Driftmaster replacement?

Success metrics for this contract would likely include adherence to the delivery schedule, meeting all technical specifications for the replacement vessel, and ensuring the new Driftmaster meets or exceeds the performance standards of its predecessor. The government should track project milestones, conduct rigorous inspections, and verify operational readiness upon completion to ensure the investment delivers the intended value and capability.

How does the $24.8 million cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar ship replacement or major repair projects of this scale and complexity?

A comprehensive benchmark analysis against similar projects is essential. Factors like vessel size, type, complexity of systems, and the specific scope of work (replacement vs. major overhaul) heavily influence cost. Without detailed comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if $24.8 million represents excellent value, is fair, or is potentially inflated due to the limited competitive environment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Ship and Boat Building › Ship Building and Repairing

Product/Service Code: SHIPS, SMALL CRAFT, PONTOON, DOCKS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912BU20B0014

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 137 BARRY BELANGER ST, HOUMA, LA, 70363

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,767,828

Exercised Options: $24,767,828

Current Obligation: $24,767,828

Actual Outlays: $1,399,626

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline