Over $15.3M for rehabilitation of dam gates at two Army Corps of Engineers projects

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,388,955 ($15.4M)

Contractor: Hartman-Walsh Painting Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-09-22

End Date: 2013-07-01

Contract Duration: 1,378 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TAS::96 3135TAS RECOVERYPROJECT#::140568::RP# REHAB TAINTER GATES AT FT GIBSON AND JOHN REDMOND ARRA

Place of Performance

Location: BURLINGTON, COFFEY County, KANSAS, 66839

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.4 million to HARTMAN-WALSH PAINTING COMPANY for work described as: TAS::96 3135TAS RECOVERYPROJECT#::140568::RP# REHAB TAINTER GATES AT FT GIBSON AND JOHN REDMOND ARRA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical infrastructure repair, ensuring operational integrity of water control structures. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. Contract duration of nearly four years indicates a significant, long-term project scope. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, providing cost certainty. 5. Project located in Kansas, impacting regional water management and flood control capabilities. 6. No small business set-aside, indicating the primary award was not specifically targeted for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.39 million for the rehabilitation of dam gates at two separate projects appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While specific benchmarks for this exact type of rehabilitation are not readily available, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. The competition level suggests that pricing was likely vetted against multiple proposals, contributing to a fair market assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With 5 bids received, the competition level was moderate, suggesting that while multiple companies were interested, it may not have reached the highest levels of market saturation. This level of competition is generally sufficient to encourage competitive pricing and ensure a reasonable selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process for this contract likely resulted in a more competitive price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

Benefits federal water management infrastructure by ensuring the continued functionality of dam gates. Services delivered include the rehabilitation of critical components at Fort Gibson and John Redmond projects. Geographic impact is primarily within Kansas, affecting local flood control and water resource management. Workforce implications include skilled labor for construction and engineering services related to dam maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or unforeseen cost increases if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single contractor for a multi-year project may limit flexibility in adapting to new technologies or methods.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty and incentivizes contractor efficiency.
Full and open competition suggests a thorough vetting of potential contractors and pricing.
Rehabilitation of critical infrastructure ensures long-term operational reliability and public safety.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction and engineering services sector, specifically focusing on heavy civil construction related to water infrastructure. The market for dam and levee maintenance and rehabilitation is a specialized segment within the broader construction industry. Spending in this area is often driven by federal agency mandates for infrastructure upkeep and safety, with significant government investment allocated annually to maintain and upgrade aging water control structures across the nation.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements specifically for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary contract was awarded to a large business or that subcontracting opportunities were not a mandated component of the award. The absence of small business participation goals means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages these facilities. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to complete the work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific day-to-day oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Infrastructure Rehabilitation Projects
Water Resource Management Contracts
ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) Funded Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays
Risk of unforeseen site conditions
Contractor performance variability
Long-term maintenance cost implications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.4 million to HARTMAN-WALSH PAINTING COMPANY. TAS::96 3135TAS RECOVERYPROJECT#::140568::RP# REHAB TAINTER GATES AT FT GIBSON AND JOHN REDMOND ARRA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARTMAN-WALSH PAINTING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-22. End: 2013-07-01.

What is the track record of Hartman-Walsh Painting Company with federal contracts, particularly for infrastructure rehabilitation?

Hartman-Walsh Painting Company has a history of federal contracting, primarily within the Department of Defense and other agencies involved in infrastructure maintenance and construction. Their experience often includes painting, coating, and structural repair services for various federal facilities and assets. While specific details on their performance for large-scale dam gate rehabilitation projects require deeper analysis of past contract performance reports (e.g., CPARS), their presence as a bidder and awardee in this sector indicates a level of qualification. Further investigation into their past project sizes, types, and client feedback would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability for complex infrastructure work like the Ft. Gibson and John Redmond projects.

How does the $15.39 million cost compare to similar dam gate rehabilitation projects?

Benchmarking the $15.39 million cost for rehabilitating dam gates at Ft. Gibson and John Redmond requires comparing it to projects of similar scope, complexity, and location. Dam gate rehabilitation is a highly specialized and often costly undertaking due to the critical nature of the components, the need for dewatering, specialized equipment, and stringent safety protocols. Without access to a database of comparable projects with detailed cost breakdowns, a precise comparison is difficult. However, considering the duration (nearly four years) and the fact that it involves two separate projects, the total value appears to be within a plausible range for significant infrastructure repair. Factors like the specific type of gates, the extent of structural work needed, and regional labor costs would heavily influence the final price.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns (despite the fixed-price nature, scope creep is a risk), schedule delays due to unforeseen site conditions or contractor performance issues, and technical challenges in rehabilitating aging infrastructure. The fixed-price contract type mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the total expenditure. Mitigation for schedule and performance risks relies on robust project management by the Army Corps of Engineers, clear contract specifications, performance monitoring, and potentially liquidated damages clauses for delays. The contractor's own risk mitigation would involve detailed planning, experienced personnel, and contingency measures for unexpected issues.

How effective is the Army Corps of Engineers in managing large-scale infrastructure rehabilitation contracts?

The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has extensive experience managing large-scale infrastructure projects, including dam and levee maintenance, which are core to their mission. Their effectiveness is generally considered high, given their technical expertise, established project management frameworks, and dedicated oversight teams. However, like any large organization managing complex projects, challenges can arise. Factors influencing effectiveness include adequate funding, staffing levels for oversight, the complexity of the specific project, and the performance of the selected contractors. The success of this particular contract would be measured by its completion on time, within budget, and to the specified quality standards, ensuring the long-term functionality of the dam gates.

What has been the historical spending trend for dam gate rehabilitation by the Army Corps of Engineers?

Historical spending trends for dam gate rehabilitation by the Army Corps of Engineers are substantial and reflect the vast inventory of aging water control infrastructure they manage. Annual budgets allocated to Civil Works programs, which encompass dam maintenance and rehabilitation, often run into billions of dollars. Specific allocations for gate rehabilitation fluctuate based on project needs, infrastructure condition assessments, and available appropriations. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, under which this contract was awarded, represented a significant surge in federal spending on infrastructure, including projects like this one, aimed at economic stimulus and modernization.

What is the significance of this contract being funded by ARRA?

This contract's funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 signifies its role in the broader economic stimulus effort following the 2008 financial crisis. ARRA aimed to create and preserve jobs, stimulate economic activity, and invest in critical infrastructure. Projects funded by ARRA were often prioritized for their potential to generate employment and provide tangible public benefits. For this specific contract, ARRA funding likely accelerated the timeline for the rehabilitation work, ensuring that essential infrastructure maintenance was addressed promptly while contributing to economic recovery efforts in Kansas and beyond.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors › Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912BV09R1014

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Hartman-Walsh Corp

Address: 7144 N MARKET ST, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63133

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,388,955

Exercised Options: $15,388,955

Current Obligation: $15,388,955

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline