DoD awards $20M contract for munitions removal at former Camp Swift, Texas

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,998,633 ($20.0M)

Contractor: Dawson Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-08-22

End Date: 2028-08-21

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MUNITIONS AND EXPLOSIVES OF CONCERN REMOVAL AND CLOSURE OF MRS 5, 6, AND 8 FORMER CAMP SWIFT, BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS.

Place of Performance

Location: BASTROP, BASTROP County, TEXAS, 78602

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.0 million to DAWSON SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: MUNITIONS AND EXPLOSIVES OF CONCERN REMOVAL AND CLOSURE OF MRS 5, 6, AND 8 FORMER CAMP SWIFT, BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on environmental remediation, specifically the closure of munitions sites. 2. The award is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, indicating clear cost expectations. 3. The contractor, DAWSON SOLUTIONS, LLC, has been awarded this contract. 4. The contract duration is set for 1460 days, spanning approximately four years. 5. This contract addresses a specific environmental and safety concern related to former military operations. 6. The geographic focus is Bastrop County, Texas, highlighting local impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.99 million for munitions removal and site closure appears to be a significant investment. Benchmarking this against similar environmental remediation contracts for former military sites would be crucial to assess value for money. Without comparable data on the scope and complexity of the specific munitions and site conditions at Camp Swift, it is difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive or represents excellent value. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to control costs, but the overall value proposition depends heavily on the effectiveness and completeness of the remediation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicated as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests that the agency identified a specific reason for not soliciting offers from multiple sources, such as a sole-source justification or a specific emergency requirement. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was bypassed, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple bids had been considered. The rationale behind this sole-source award needs further investigation to understand if it was justified.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, potentially resulting in a higher overall cost for the remediation services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and environment of Bastrop County, Texas, through the safe closure of hazardous munitions sites. The services delivered involve the removal of munitions and the closure of specific former military ranges (MRS 5, 6, and 8). The geographic impact is localized to former Camp Swift in Bastrop County, Texas. This contract supports environmental cleanup efforts and ensures public safety in the affected area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
The specific nature of munitions removal can involve unforeseen complexities and risks that may impact final costs.
Transparency regarding the justification for a sole-source award is limited, hindering public understanding of the procurement process.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a critical environmental and safety issue, contributing to public well-being.
A firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency, assuming the scope is well-defined.
The definitive contract structure allows for a clear, long-term engagement to complete the necessary work.

Sector Analysis

The environmental remediation sector, particularly for former military sites, is a specialized area within the broader construction and environmental services industry. Contracts in this space often involve significant regulatory oversight and technical expertise due to the hazardous nature of the work. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on government cleanup initiatives and the identification of legacy contamination sites. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the Department of Defense's environmental restoration accounts and similar agencies managing federal land.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false) and does not appear to have a small business set-aside component (sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The primary contractor, DAWSON SOLUTIONS, LLC, is likely a larger entity capable of performing the extensive remediation work independently or with its own resources.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army, likely through contracting officers and program managers responsible for environmental remediation. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified outcomes. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details and performance reports are typically available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Ordnance and Explosives Disposal
Former Military Site Cleanup
Department of Defense Environmental Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions.
Environmental risks associated with munitions handling and disposal.
Long contract duration may indicate complex or extensive work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.0 million to DAWSON SOLUTIONS, LLC. MUNITIONS AND EXPLOSIVES OF CONCERN REMOVAL AND CLOSURE OF MRS 5, 6, AND 8 FORMER CAMP SWIFT, BASTROP COUNTY, TEXAS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DAWSON SOLUTIONS, 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 $20.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-22. End: 2028-08-21.

What is the specific nature and quantity of munitions and explosives of concern at MRS 5, 6, and 8 of former Camp Swift?

The provided data does not specify the exact types or quantities of munitions and explosives of concern at MRS 5, 6, and 8 of former Camp Swift. This level of detail is critical for understanding the scope and complexity of the remediation effort. Typically, such information would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or associated environmental assessments. Munitions can range from small-caliber projectiles to larger ordnance, each requiring different handling and disposal methods. The presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) poses significant risks, and the remediation process involves site characterization, risk assessment, removal, and final closure activities to ensure the land is safe for future use. Without this specific data, it's challenging to fully assess the technical requirements and associated risks of this contract.

What is the track record of DAWSON SOLUTIONS, LLC in performing similar munitions removal and environmental remediation contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of DAWSON SOLUTIONS, LLC in performing similar munitions removal and environmental remediation contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving ordnance and explosives disposal and site closure. Key factors to consider include their experience with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or other Department of Defense agencies, their safety record, their ability to meet deadlines and budgets on similar projects, and any past performance evaluations or awards. Understanding their capabilities and history in this specialized field is crucial for evaluating the likelihood of successful contract execution and for justifying the sole-source award.

How does the $19.99 million contract value compare to similar munitions site remediation projects in terms of scope and complexity?

The $19.99 million contract value for munitions removal and closure at former Camp Swift needs to be benchmarked against similar projects to assess its value. Without specific details on the acreage involved, the types and density of munitions, and the required remediation techniques, a direct comparison is difficult. However, environmental remediation of former military ranges can be extremely costly, often running into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the scale of contamination and the complexity of the site. Factors such as the depth of contamination, the presence of hazardous materials beyond munitions, and the required post-remediation land use will significantly influence the total cost. A comprehensive value analysis would require comparing this contract's scope against publicly available data for similar Department of Defense environmental restoration projects.

What are the specific risks associated with the munitions and explosives at former Camp Swift, and how are they being mitigated?

The specific risks associated with the munitions and explosives at former Camp Swift are not detailed in the provided data but are inherently high due to the nature of ordnance. These risks typically include accidental detonation during handling or excavation, potential environmental contamination from degrading explosives or associated materials, and long-term safety hazards if removal is incomplete. Mitigation strategies would involve rigorous safety protocols, specialized equipment, trained personnel, detailed site surveys using advanced detection technologies, and phased removal and disposal processes. The contract's success hinges on the contractor's ability to implement robust risk management plans to ensure the safety of personnel and the environment throughout the remediation lifecycle.

What is the historical spending pattern for munitions removal and site closure at former Camp Swift or similar facilities within the Department of Defense?

The provided data does not offer historical spending patterns for munitions removal and site closure at former Camp Swift or similar facilities. To establish such a pattern, one would need to analyze historical contract awards for environmental remediation at this specific installation and other former military training ranges managed by the Department of Defense. This analysis would involve examining contract databases for recurring awards, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding historical spending can reveal trends in cleanup efforts, identify persistent problem areas, and provide context for the current $19.99 million award, helping to determine if it aligns with previous investments or represents a new or escalated cleanup effort.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W912BV24R0105

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4100 MARKET ST, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35808

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Native Hawaiian Organization Owned Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,156,835

Exercised Options: $19,998,633

Current Obligation: $19,998,633

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline