Washington Aqueduct Basin 3 & 4 Improvements Contract Awarded for $20.98M to W. M. Schlosser Co

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,982,350 ($21.0M)

Contractor: W. M. Schlosser CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-05

End Date: 2026-08-18

Contract Duration: 1,078 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT BASIN 3 & 4 FLOCCULATION AND SEDIMENTATION IMPROVEMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20016

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.0 million to W. M. SCHLOSSER CO., INC. for work described as: WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT BASIN 3 & 4 FLOCCULATION AND SEDIMENTATION IMPROVEMENTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to W. M. Schlosser Co., Inc. for $20.98 million. 2. Project involves flocculation and sedimentation improvements for the Washington Aqueduct. 3. Full and open competition was utilized for this procurement. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating price certainty. 5. Project duration is 1078 days, concluding in August 2026.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.98 million appears reasonable for a large-scale infrastructure project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar water treatment facility upgrades would provide a more precise assessment, but the scale suggests a significant investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for achieving competitive pricing. This method allows all qualified contractors to bid, fostering a price discovery process that should lead to a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary infrastructure improvements.

Public Impact

Ensures continued safe and reliable water treatment for the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Modernizes critical water infrastructure, potentially improving water quality and system resilience. Supports local construction jobs and economic activity within the District of Columbia.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise.
  • Dependence on a single contractor for a critical infrastructure project.

Positive Signals

  • Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost uncertainty for the government.
  • Full and open competition suggests a competitive award.
  • Project addresses essential public health and safety needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically water and sewer infrastructure. Spending benchmarks for similar water treatment facility upgrades vary widely based on project scope and location, but large-scale projects often run into tens of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

While the prime contractor is W. M. Schlosser Co., Inc., the contract details do not specify any subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense, through the Department of the Army, is overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal construction projects, including site inspections and progress reporting, are expected to be in place.

Related Government Programs

  • Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for schedule delays due to complex construction.
  • Reliance on a single contractor for a critical utility.
  • Scope creep could lead to cost increases.
  • Unforeseen geological or environmental conditions.

Tags

water-and-sewer-line-and-related-structu, department-of-defense, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.0 million to W. M. SCHLOSSER CO., INC.. WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT BASIN 3 & 4 FLOCCULATION AND SEDIMENTATION IMPROVEMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is W. M. SCHLOSSER CO., INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-05. End: 2026-08-18.

What are the specific performance metrics for the flocculation and sedimentation improvements?

The contract documents should detail specific performance metrics related to water quality improvements, such as turbidity reduction, removal efficiency of suspended solids, and compliance with EPA standards. These metrics are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of the upgrades and ensuring the project meets its intended public health and environmental objectives.

What is the contingency plan if W. M. Schlosser Co., Inc. fails to meet project deadlines or quality standards?

The contract likely includes clauses for remedies in case of contractor non-performance, such as liquidated damages for delays or termination for default. The government's project management team would monitor progress closely and have procedures in place to address issues, potentially involving corrective action plans or invoking contract termination clauses if necessary.

How does the cost of this project compare to similar water infrastructure upgrades in other major metropolitan areas?

A comprehensive comparison would require detailed analysis of project scope, complexity, and local economic factors in other cities. However, the $20.98 million price tag for improving two basins suggests a significant investment, aligning with the substantial costs typically associated with upgrading critical water treatment infrastructure in densely populated urban areas.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionUtility System ConstructionWater and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTYMAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912DR23B0015

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2400 51ST PL, HYATTSVILLE, MD, 20781

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,314,361

Exercised Options: $21,314,361

Current Obligation: $20,982,350

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2023-09-05

Current End Date: 2026-08-18

Potential End Date: 2026-08-18 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-01-14

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