Army awards $34.8M contract for 434K tons of rip rap, with potential for 194K more tons

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,761,486 ($34.8M)

Contractor: Dubuque Barge and Fleeting Service CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-04-22

End Date: 2025-04-25

Contract Duration: 1,464 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: STONE PLACEMENT OF 434,100 TONS OF RIP RAP ALONG MISSOURI RIVER MILES (RM) 0-280, WITH OPTIONS TO EXERCISE FOR ANOTHER 194,300 TONS OF RIP RAP.

Place of Performance

Location: NAPOLEON, LAFAYETTE County, MISSOURI, 64074

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $34.8 million to DUBUQUE BARGE AND FLEETING SERVICE CO for work described as: STONE PLACEMENT OF 434,100 TONS OF RIP RAP ALONG MISSOURI RIVER MILES (RM) 0-280, WITH OPTIONS TO EXERCISE FOR ANOTHER 194,300 TONS OF RIP RAP. Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable given the substantial quantity of rip rap required for riverbank stabilization. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, likely leading to favorable pricing. 3. The contract duration of approximately four years indicates a long-term need for erosion control. 4. The project's geographic scope along a significant stretch of the Missouri River highlights its extensive environmental impact. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure transfers some risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 6. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further investigation into subcontracting opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract award of $34.8 million for 434,100 tons of rip rap, with options for an additional 194,300 tons, suggests a benchmark price of approximately $80 per ton. This price appears competitive when considering the logistics and material costs associated with large-scale civil engineering projects of this nature. Comparing this to similar Army Corps of Engineers projects for erosion control materials would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type also provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $80 per ton (based on base award amount and quantity)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of four bidders (no=4) suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant civil works project. This competitive environment is generally expected to drive down prices and encourage efficient performance from the awarded contractor.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for essential river stabilization work.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the communities and ecosystems along the Missouri River, protected from erosion and flooding. The contract delivers essential rip rap material for critical infrastructure protection and environmental remediation. The geographic impact spans a considerable length of the Missouri River, from mile 0 to 280. The project supports the construction and heavy civil engineering workforce involved in material sourcing, transportation, and placement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if option quantities are exercised and market prices for rip rap increase significantly.
Logistical challenges in transporting and placing such a large volume of material over an extended river section.
Environmental impact during placement activities needs careful monitoring to minimize disruption to aquatic life.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the base award.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potentially efficient pricing.
Long contract duration allows for phased implementation and adaptive management of placement.
The contractor, Dubuque Barge and Fleeting Service Co., likely has experience with similar large-scale marine construction projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically focusing on riverine infrastructure and erosion control. The market for rip rap and related materials is often regional, influenced by quarry availability and transportation costs. The Army Corps of Engineers is a major procurer of such services for waterway management and flood control projects nationwide. Benchmarking against other similar Army Corps projects for rip rap procurement would be valuable.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the data indicates no specific small business participation goals were met at the prime contract level (sb=false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this large civil engineering project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has established procedures for monitoring contract performance, quality control, and financial expenditures. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific project-level oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Missouri River Basin Management
Riverine Erosion Control
Flood Damage Reduction Projects
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost increase if options are exercised and market prices rise.
Logistical complexity of large-scale material transport and placement.
Environmental impact during construction requires careful management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $34.8 million to DUBUQUE BARGE AND FLEETING SERVICE CO. STONE PLACEMENT OF 434,100 TONS OF RIP RAP ALONG MISSOURI RIVER MILES (RM) 0-280, WITH OPTIONS TO EXERCISE FOR ANOTHER 194,300 TONS OF RIP RAP.

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 $34.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-22. End: 2025-04-25.

What is the historical spending pattern for rip rap procurement by the Department of the Army or Army Corps of Engineers?

Historical spending data for rip rap procurement by the Department of the Army and the Army Corps of Engineers reveals a consistent need for this material in various riverine and coastal protection projects. While specific aggregate figures fluctuate annually based on project pipelines and disaster recovery efforts, the Corps routinely awards multi-million dollar contracts for rip rap. These contracts often involve large quantities, similar to the 434,100 tons in this award, and are typically executed over several years. The pricing per ton can vary significantly based on geographic location, quarry source, transportation logistics, and the specific size and type of stone required. Analyzing past solicitations and awards for similar projects in the Missouri River region or comparable waterways would provide a more granular understanding of historical cost trends and contractor performance.

How does the per-ton cost of this rip rap contract compare to similar projects awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers?

The estimated per-ton cost of approximately $80 for this rip rap contract appears to be within a reasonable range for large-scale civil engineering projects of this nature. However, a precise comparison requires detailed analysis of comparable contracts. Factors such as the specific source of the rip rap, transportation distances from quarry to placement sites along the Missouri River, and the required stone gradation can significantly influence per-ton costs. Contracts awarded in different geographic regions or with different logistical challenges might show higher or lower per-ton prices. For a definitive benchmark, one would need to examine recent Army Corps of Engineers solicitations and awards for rip rap in the Midwest region, considering the specific project requirements and delivery methods.

What are the potential risks associated with the long duration and option quantities of this contract?

The long duration (1464 days) and the significant option quantities (an additional 194,300 tons) of this contract present several potential risks. Firstly, market prices for raw materials like stone and transportation services could increase substantially over the contract period, making the exercise of options less cost-effective than initially anticipated, although the firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Secondly, unforeseen environmental conditions or changes in regulatory requirements along the Missouri River could impact the feasibility or cost of placement operations. Thirdly, contractor performance could degrade over such an extended period, or key personnel might change, potentially affecting quality or schedule adherence. Finally, the government's budget allocation might shift, impacting the decision to exercise all or part of the options.

What is the track record of Dubuque Barge and Fleeting Service Co. on similar federal contracts?

Dubuque Barge and Fleeting Service Co. has a track record of performing federal contracts, primarily with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, related to marine construction and waterway maintenance. Their past performance often involves dredging, construction of navigation structures, and shoreline protection measures, which align with the scope of rip rap placement. A review of their contract history would reveal the types and scale of projects they have successfully completed, their on-time delivery rates, and any instances of performance issues or disputes. While specific details require access to performance evaluation reports (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), their repeated awards suggest a generally satisfactory performance history with the Corps for similar types of work.

What are the primary performance metrics and quality control measures for this rip rap placement contract?

The primary performance metrics for this rip rap placement contract would likely revolve around the quantity of material placed, adherence to specified placement locations and patterns, and the overall effectiveness of erosion control achieved. Quality control measures would focus on ensuring the rip rap meets the specified gradation (size and weight distribution of stones), durability, and proper interlocking to form a stable revetment. The contract likely includes detailed technical specifications and requires the contractor to implement a Quality Control Plan. Inspections by the Army Corps of Engineers would be conducted regularly to verify compliance with these specifications, including visual assessments of placement stability and potentially surveys to confirm coverage and thickness.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912DQ21B1011

Offers Received: 4

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: $34,761,486

Exercised Options: $34,761,486

Current Obligation: $34,761,486

Actual Outlays: $10,843,008

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline