Army awards $14M contract for grave breach repairs, highlighting construction needs in Illinois

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,036,947 ($14.0M)

Contractor: L W Matteson Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-10-07

End Date: 2010-03-16

Contract Duration: 525 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: INDIAN GRAVE STAGE IA BREACH REPAIRS ---

Place of Performance

Location: WALNUT, BUREAU County, ILLINOIS, 61376

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.0 million to L W MATTESON INC for work described as: INDIAN GRAVE STAGE IA BREACH REPAIRS --- Key points: 1. Contract value of $14M suggests a significant scope of work for civil engineering. 2. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 3. A single award indicates a focused approach to this specific repair project. 4. The project duration of over a year points to complex or extensive repair work. 5. Location in Illinois suggests a regional focus for this particular construction need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14,036,947.45 for breach repairs appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized civil engineering construction projects of this nature. Without specific benchmarks for 'Indian Grave Stage IA Breach Repairs,' direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price contract type suggests an effort to establish a clear cost ceiling. The single award, while not indicative of broad competition, could be appropriate if L W Matteson Inc. offered the best value or possessed unique qualifications for this specific task.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely solicited. The presence of a single award suggests that either only one bid was received, or L W Matteson Inc. was selected as the most advantageous offer. The competitive process, even with a single awardee, should have driven pricing towards market rates.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a range of offers, potentially leading to more cost-effective solutions and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the entities responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the 'Indian Grave Stage IA' site. The services delivered involve heavy and civil engineering construction, specifically focused on repairing breaches. The geographic impact is localized to Illinois, where the project is situated. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction laborers, engineers, and project managers in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen complexities arise during repairs, despite the firm fixed-price structure.
Dependence on a single contractor could lead to challenges if performance issues emerge.
The specific nature of 'breach repairs' might require specialized expertise that limits the pool of qualified bidders.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a structured procurement process aimed at achieving value.
The award to L W Matteson Inc. implies they met the government's technical and cost requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, which encompasses a wide range of infrastructure projects. The market for such services is often project-specific, influenced by geographic location, environmental regulations, and the nature of the engineering challenge. Benchmarks for similar breach repair projects are highly variable, depending on scale, materials, and site conditions. The $14M award is a substantial sum, indicating a project of significant scale within this niche.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements specifically targeting small businesses. This suggests the primary contractor, L W Matteson Inc., will likely handle the majority of the work. The absence of small business set-asides means direct opportunities for small businesses within this specific contract may be limited, though they could potentially be involved as suppliers or subcontractors if not explicitly mandated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Construction Projects
Civil Works Construction Contracts
Environmental Remediation and Repair Contracts
Infrastructure Maintenance and Repair

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial breach assessment is incomplete.
Contract duration may be extended if unforeseen site conditions are encountered.
Firm Fixed Price contract requires careful contractor performance monitoring to ensure quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.0 million to L W MATTESON INC. INDIAN GRAVE STAGE IA BREACH REPAIRS ---

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L W MATTESON 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 $14.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-10-07. End: 2010-03-16.

What is the specific nature of the 'Indian Grave Stage IA Breach' and the required repairs?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the 'Indian Grave Stage IA Breach.' However, 'breach repairs' in a civil engineering context typically refer to the mending of failures or openings in structures like levees, dams, canals, or embankments. These repairs often involve excavation, soil stabilization, reinforcement, and the use of specialized materials to restore structural integrity and prevent further erosion or water passage. The 'Stage IA' designation might refer to a specific phase, location, or classification of the breach within a larger system or study. The repairs would aim to restore the functionality and safety of the affected structure.

How does the $14M contract value compare to similar breach repair projects?

Directly comparing the $14M contract value to similar breach repair projects is challenging without more specific details about the scope, complexity, and location of the 'Indian Grave Stage IA Breach.' However, for significant civil engineering construction, particularly involving environmental or structural repairs, a $14 million contract is substantial. Projects involving large-scale earthworks, specialized materials, or extensive remediation can easily reach these figures. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the government sought cost certainty for a well-defined scope, which can sometimes lead to higher initial bids compared to cost-reimbursement contracts if the contractor perceives higher risk.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract for L W Matteson Inc. and the government?

For L W Matteson Inc., risks include underestimating the complexity of the breach repair, encountering unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil instability, hazardous materials), material cost fluctuations, and potential delays impacting profitability under a firm fixed-price contract. For the government, risks include the possibility that the contractor may cut corners to maintain profit margins, potential for schedule delays impacting the restoration of the breached structure, and the risk that the chosen repair method may not be the most effective long-term solution if the initial assessment was flawed. The full and open competition aims to mitigate these risks by selecting a capable contractor.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Indian Grave Stage IA Breach Repairs' or similar projects by the Department of the Army?

The provided data only includes a single contract award for 'INDIAN GRAVE STAGE IA BREACH REPAIRS' to L W Matteson Inc. There is no historical spending data available within this dataset to establish a pattern for this specific project or similar breach repairs by the Department of the Army. To assess historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for contracts with similar keywords, project types (breach repair, civil engineering construction), and agencies over several fiscal years.

What is the track record of L W Matteson Inc. in performing similar civil engineering construction contracts?

The provided data indicates L W Matteson Inc. was awarded this $14M contract. To assess their track record, further investigation into their past performance on similar government contracts would be necessary. This would involve reviewing contract databases for previous awards, examining past performance evaluations (if publicly available), and looking for any history of contract disputes, terminations, or significant performance issues. Without this additional information, it's difficult to definitively comment on their specific track record for breach repairs or large-scale civil engineering projects.

How does the competition level (full and open with one awardee) impact the value received by the government?

Full and open competition is designed to maximize the number of potential bidders, thereby fostering price competition and increasing the likelihood of the government receiving the best value. In this case, while the competition was open, the award went to a single entity. This could mean that while multiple bids were solicited, only one met the technical requirements, or one offer was significantly superior. If multiple technically acceptable bids were received, the single award suggests that the selected contractor offered the most advantageous proposal overall (considering price, technical factors, etc.). This scenario is generally better than a sole-source award but may not yield the same price pressure as a contract awarded to the lowest bidder among many competitive offers.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912EK08R0038

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (UEI: 362899130)

Address: 1 SOUTH PT, BURLINGTON, IA, 52601

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,036,947

Exercised Options: $14,036,947

Current Obligation: $14,036,947

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline