Army Corps of Engineers Awards $10.4M Contract for Non-Building Facilities Construction to Merrick Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,434,120 ($10.4M)

Contractor: Merrick Construction LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-09-19

End Date: 2011-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,294 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 200512!501007!96CE!W912EE!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT VICKSBURG !W912EE05C0022 !A!N! !N! ! !20050919!20081230!002840783!002840783!002840783!N!MERRICK CONSTRUCTION CO !1332 FRONT ST !COTTONPORT !LA!71327!99065!065!22!MADISON !MADISON !LOUISIANA !+000000010000!N!N!000009750650!Y299!ALL OTHER NON-BUILDING FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !* !237990!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !A!U!J!2!004!A! !D!N!Z! ! !N!B!N!Y! ! !A! !A!A!000!A!B!Y!T!Y! ! ! !W807PM!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: VIDALIA, CONCORDIA County, LOUISIANA, 71373

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.4 million to MERRICK CONSTRUCTION LLC for work described as: 200512!501007!96CE!W912EE!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT VICKSBURG !W912EE05C0022 !A!N! !N! ! !20050919!20081230!002840783!002840783!002840783!N!MERRICK CONSTRUCTION CO !1332 FRONT ST !COTTONPORT !LA!71327!99065!065!22!MADISON !MADI… Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Merrick Construction, based in Louisiana, secured this significant award. 3. The contract duration is over 6 years, indicating a long-term project. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237990 points to heavy and civil engineering construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.4 million for a 6-year duration appears reasonable for heavy civil engineering construction projects. However, without specific project details or benchmarks for 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction,' a precise pricing assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest possible range of bidders and promotes price discovery. This method suggests that the government sought the best value through a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the most competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Local economic impact in Louisiana due to Merrick Construction's operations. Potential for infrastructure improvements related to non-building facilities. Job creation associated with the construction project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific project scope details.
Potential for cost overruns in long-term construction contracts.
Limited information on past performance of the contractor for similar projects.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Contract awarded to a domestic small business (though data indicates otherwise, this is a potential positive signal if true).
Firm fixed price contract can provide cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Construction sector, specifically heavy and civil engineering construction. Spending in this sector is often tied to government infrastructure initiatives and military base support. Benchmarks for similar projects would require detailed scope comparison.

Small Business Impact

While the data indicates Merrick Construction LLC, it's important to verify if they qualify as a small business for this contract. If they do, it represents a positive outcome for small business participation in federal contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The award process under full and open competition suggests a degree of oversight. Further oversight would involve monitoring project execution, adherence to timelines, and budget management by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds 6 years, increasing risk exposure.
Vague description of 'non-building facilities' lacks specificity.
Potential for cost escalation if not managed tightly under fixed price.
Need to verify small business status and past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.4 million to MERRICK CONSTRUCTION LLC. 200512!501007!96CE!W912EE!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT VICKSBURG !W912EE05C0022 !A!N! !N! ! !20050919!20081230!002840783!002840783!002840783!N!MERRICK CONSTRUCTION CO !1332 FRONT ST !COTTONPORT !LA!71327!99065!065!22!MADISON !MADISON !LOUISIANA !+000000010000!N!N!000009750650!Y299!ALL OTHER NON-BUILDING FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !* !237990!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MERRICK CONSTRUCTION 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 $10.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-09-19. End: 2011-12-31.

What specific types of non-building facilities are included in this contract, and how do they align with the Army Corps of Engineers' mission in Vicksburg?

The contract specifies 'ALL OTHER NON-BUILDING FACILITIES' under NAICS code 237990. This broad category could encompass a wide range of infrastructure such as levees, dams, drainage systems, roads, airfields, or utility systems. Understanding the precise nature of these facilities is crucial to assessing their necessity and alignment with the Vicksburg district's operational requirements and long-term strategic goals.

What is the historical performance record of Merrick Construction LLC on similar large-scale civil engineering projects, particularly those involving firm-fixed-price contracts?

Assessing Merrick Construction's past performance is vital for evaluating project risk. Information on their track record with projects of similar scale, complexity, and contract type (firm-fixed-price) would provide insights into their ability to manage costs, adhere to schedules, and deliver quality work. A review of past performance evaluations and any documented issues would inform the risk assessment for this current contract.

How does the awarded price of $10.4 million compare to industry benchmarks for similar heavy and civil engineering construction projects of this duration and scope?

A comprehensive comparison against industry benchmarks is necessary to determine if the $10.4 million award represents good value. This would involve analyzing data from similar government or private sector contracts, considering factors like project type, geographic location, duration, and specific construction elements. Without such benchmarks, it's challenging to definitively state whether the price is competitive or potentially inflated.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1332 FRONT ST, COTTONPORT, LA, 71327

Business Categories: Category Business, Emerging Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline