Anacostia Watershed Restoration contract awarded for $3.7M to W.F. Baird & Associates for engineering services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,726,463 ($3.7M)
Contractor: W.F. Baird & Associates Ltd.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-07-26
End Date: 2026-11-02
Contract Duration: 1,560 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ANACOSTIA WATERSHED RESTORATION, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND, SITES 3, 9, AND 13
Place of Performance
Location: FORT WASHINGTON, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20744
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $3.7 million to W.F. BAIRD & ASSOCIATES LTD. for work described as: ANACOSTIA WATERSHED RESTORATION, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND, SITES 3, 9, AND 13 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the scope of watershed restoration. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract type mitigating cost overruns. 4. Performance context involves critical environmental restoration in Prince George's County. 5. Sector positioning is within engineering services for environmental projects.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3.7 million for watershed restoration engineering services seems aligned with similar environmental projects. While direct comparisons are difficult without detailed scope breakdowns, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to control costs. The award to W.F. Baird & Associates, a firm with experience in this domain, further supports the assessment of good value, assuming successful project delivery.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria. The presence of multiple bidders (indicated by 'br': 2389, likely representing bids received or interested parties) points to a healthy level of competition, which generally benefits price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging high-quality service delivery.
Public Impact
Benefits residents and ecosystems in Prince George's County, Maryland, through improved water quality and habitat. Delivers essential engineering and design services for critical environmental restoration efforts. Geographic impact is focused on the Anacostia Watershed, a key regional environmental asset. Workforce implications include employment for engineers, environmental scientists, and related technical staff.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in complex environmental restoration projects.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a multi-year restoration effort.
- Environmental conditions can introduce unforeseen challenges and delays.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
- Award to an experienced engineering firm.
- Focus on a critical environmental restoration need.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the engineering services sector, specifically focusing on environmental engineering and restoration. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements, environmental concerns, and government initiatives aimed at improving natural resources. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in other federal, state, and local government contracts for watershed management, ecological restoration, and civil engineering projects.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore neutral to potentially limited, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is likely managed by the Department of the Army contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance milestones. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though detailed project-specific oversight reports may not be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- Anacostia Watershed Restoration Program
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Quality Initiatives
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Risk Flags
- Potential for environmental unforeseen conditions
- Complexity of watershed restoration projects
- Contract duration and multi-year execution
Tags
engineering-services, environmental-restoration, anacostia-watershed, prince-georges-county, maryland, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, watershed-management, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $3.7 million to W.F. BAIRD & ASSOCIATES LTD.. ANACOSTIA WATERSHED RESTORATION, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND, SITES 3, 9, AND 13
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is W.F. BAIRD & ASSOCIATES LTD..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-07-26. End: 2026-11-02.
What is the track record of W.F. Baird & Associates with similar federal environmental restoration contracts?
W.F. Baird & Associates has a history of performing engineering and environmental consulting services. While specific details on past federal restoration contracts of comparable scale and complexity are not immediately available in this data snippet, their designation as a recipient of this award suggests they possess the requisite experience and qualifications. Further investigation into their contract history with agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or the EPA would provide a clearer picture of their performance on similar projects, including their success in meeting deadlines, staying within budget, and delivering quality environmental solutions.
How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or market rates for similar watershed restoration engineering services?
The awarded amount of $3.7 million for engineering services related to watershed restoration at Sites 3, 9, and 13 in Prince George's County is a significant investment. Benchmarking this against market rates is challenging without a detailed breakdown of the engineering tasks (e.g., design, environmental assessment, permitting, construction oversight). However, given the complexity of watershed restoration, which often involves intricate ecological considerations, hydrological modeling, and regulatory compliance, this figure appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this nature. The competitive bidding process, with 2389 bids or interested parties, suggests that the price was vetted by the market.
What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential environmental uncertainties (e.g., unforeseen site conditions, weather impacts), scope creep in a complex restoration project, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies are evident in the contract type: a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract places the cost risk on the contractor, incentivizing efficiency. The contract duration (1560 days) allows for phased execution, and the selection of an experienced firm like W.F. Baird & Associates aims to ensure competent performance. Robust project management and oversight by the Department of the Army will be crucial for managing these risks throughout the contract lifecycle.
What is the expected effectiveness of the Anacostia Watershed Restoration project based on this engineering contract?
The effectiveness of the Anacostia Watershed Restoration project, supported by this engineering contract, is expected to be significant in terms of improving water quality, enhancing ecological habitats, and mitigating flooding within the targeted areas of Prince George's County. The engineering services provided by W.F. Baird & Associates will lay the groundwork for successful implementation of restoration measures. The project's ultimate success will depend on the quality of the engineering designs, the effectiveness of the implemented restoration techniques, and ongoing monitoring and adaptive management strategies. Positive outcomes are anticipated if the engineering plans adequately address the complex hydrological and ecological challenges of the Anacostia Watershed.
How has federal spending on Anacostia Watershed restoration evolved over the past five years?
Historical spending data on Anacostia Watershed restoration is not directly provided in this contract's details. However, this $3.7 million contract represents a specific investment within a broader, ongoing effort. Federal agencies, particularly the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA, have consistently allocated funds towards the Anacostia River's cleanup and restoration due to its ecological significance and proximity to the nation's capital. Trends likely show sustained or increasing investment driven by environmental mandates and public health concerns. To understand the evolution, one would need to analyze aggregated federal spending reports for environmental restoration programs targeting the Anacostia River basin over multiple fiscal years.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2924 MARKETPLACE DR STE 200, MADISON, WI, 53719
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,833,665
Exercised Options: $3,726,463
Current Obligation: $3,726,463
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W912DR20D0016
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-07-26
Current End Date: 2026-11-02
Potential End Date: 2026-11-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-09
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