DoD Awards $604,765 for Chief Joseph Dam Seal Project to Northbank Civil and Marine

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,047,650 ($6.0M)

Contractor: Northbank Civil and Marine, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-11-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CHIEF JOSEPH DAM UPSTREAM MONOLITH JOINT SEAL, BRIDGEPORT, WA SEE ATTACHED SPECIFICATIONS, PLANS, SUPPLEMENT DRAWINGS AND APPENDIX D ENCL 1 AND 2.

Place of Performance

Location: BRIDGEPORT, DOUGLAS County, WASHINGTON, 98813

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.0 million to NORTHBANK CIVIL AND MARINE, LLC for work described as: CHIEF JOSEPH DAM UPSTREAM MONOLITH JOINT SEAL, BRIDGEPORT, WA SEE ATTACHED SPECIFICATIONS, PLANS, SUPPLEMENT DRAWINGS AND APPENDIX D ENCL 1 AND 2. Key points: 1. The contract is for critical infrastructure maintenance at Chief Joseph Dam. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate sourcing strategy. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The project duration is 180 days, indicating a focused scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $604,765 appears reasonable for specialized civil engineering work on a dam. Benchmarking against similar dam maintenance contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' indicates a competitive process was initiated, but specific sources were excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of competition and price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The firm-fixed-price contract aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by setting a clear cost ceiling.

Public Impact

Ensures the structural integrity and operational safety of Chief Joseph Dam. Supports critical water management and power generation infrastructure in Washington state. Maintains essential federal assets, contributing to regional economic stability.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential impact of source exclusion on final price.
Need to verify if excluded sources were justified.
Risk of unforeseen conditions during dam maintenance.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost overrun risk.
Defined project duration suggests clear scope.
Awarded to a single contractor, potentially streamlining execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, which is vital for maintaining national infrastructure. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on federal infrastructure initiatives and agency needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the award was made to Northbank Civil and Marine, LLC. Further analysis is needed to determine if small business participation was incorporated or if this was a prime contract awarded to a large business.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army, under the Department of Defense, is responsible for this contract. Standard oversight procedures for construction projects will apply to ensure quality and adherence to specifications.

Related Government Programs

Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Unforeseen site conditions during dam maintenance.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical infrastructure repair.
Need for detailed verification of contractor's specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.0 million to NORTHBANK CIVIL AND MARINE, LLC. CHIEF JOSEPH DAM UPSTREAM MONOLITH JOINT SEAL, BRIDGEPORT, WA SEE ATTACHED SPECIFICATIONS, PLANS, SUPPLEMENT DRAWINGS AND APPENDIX D ENCL 1 AND 2.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHBANK CIVIL AND MARINE, 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 $6.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What was the rationale for excluding specific sources in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' process, and how did this impact the final bid price?

The rationale for excluding sources typically relates to specialized capabilities, past performance, or specific security requirements. Understanding these exclusions is crucial to assess if the competition was truly optimized for the best value. If highly qualified bidders were excluded without clear justification, it could have limited competitive pressure, potentially leading to a higher-than-necessary price for taxpayers.

What are the specific risks associated with performing joint seal work on an upstream monolith at Chief Joseph Dam, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Risks could include working in a challenging aquatic environment, potential impacts on dam operations, and the need for specialized equipment and expertise. Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed site assessments, strict safety protocols, contingency plans for weather or operational disruptions, and robust quality assurance measures to ensure the seal's long-term effectiveness and prevent structural damage.

How does the $604,765 award for 180 days of work compare to industry benchmarks for similar dam maintenance or civil engineering projects of this scale?

Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., materials, complexity of the monolith), a precise benchmark is difficult. However, the award averages approximately $3,360 per day. Comparing this to average daily costs for specialized civil engineering projects, considering factors like location, environmental conditions, and required expertise, would help determine if the pricing is competitive and represents good value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912DW25RA001

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4180 NW FRUIT VALLEY RD, VANCOUVER, WA, 98660

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,352,350

Exercised Options: $6,047,650

Current Obligation: $6,047,650

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline