Army's $15.4M Shore Protection Project Awarded to Weeks Marine, Inc. for Fixed Price
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,414,396 ($15.4M)
Contractor: Weeks Marine, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-04-10
End Date: 2008-11-28
Contract Duration: 232 days
Daily Burn Rate: $66.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: NASSAU COUNTY SHORE PROTECTION PROJECT
Place of Performance
Location: FERNANDINA BEACH, NASSAU County, FLORIDA, 32034
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.4 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC. for work described as: NASSAU COUNTY SHORE PROTECTION PROJECT Key points: 1. The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. 3. The project duration of 232 days suggests a focused, short-term effort. 4. The award amount of $15.4 million falls within a moderate spending range for civil engineering projects. 5. The project's geographic focus on Florida implies a specific regional need for shore protection. 6. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further investigation into subcontracting opportunities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $15.4 million for a shore protection project appears reasonable given the scope of civil engineering work. Benchmarking against similar Army Corps of Engineers projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The fixed-price nature of the contract is generally favorable for the government, as it caps potential expenditures. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to industry standards for similar projects, a definitive assessment of pricing efficiency is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this project. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The number of bidders is a positive indicator of market interest and the effectiveness of the solicitation process.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition and the participation of multiple bidders likely resulted in a more competitive price, benefiting taxpayers by ensuring the government received value for its investment.
Public Impact
Residents and businesses in Nassau County, Florida, are the primary beneficiaries through enhanced coastal protection. The project delivers critical infrastructure services aimed at mitigating erosion and storm damage. The geographic impact is localized to the shorelines of Nassau County, Florida. The project likely supports local construction and engineering jobs during its execution phase.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite fixed-price contract.
- Dependence on contractor's expertise for successful project completion.
- Limited visibility into specific subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract structure limits government financial risk.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
- Project addresses a critical infrastructure need for coastal resilience.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically focusing on coastal infrastructure. The Army Corps of Engineers is a major player in funding and overseeing such projects nationwide. The market for shore protection and related civil works is substantial, driven by environmental concerns, climate change impacts, and development pressures along coastlines. This project represents a specific investment in maintaining and improving coastal defenses.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention small business subcontracting goals. Further review of the contract details would be necessary to determine if any subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses. The absence of explicit set-asides could mean that larger firms dominated the bidding process, potentially limiting direct opportunities for smaller entities in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this project would typically be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has established procedures for monitoring contract performance, quality control, and adherence to specifications. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases and reporting requirements, though detailed project-specific oversight mechanisms may vary.
Related Government Programs
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
- Coastal and Shoreline Protection Projects
- Federal Infrastructure Investment
Risk Flags
- Potential for environmental impact during construction.
- Risk of project delays due to weather or unforeseen site conditions.
- Long-term effectiveness and maintenance requirements of the protection measures.
Tags
construction, department-of-defense, army, florida, definitive-contract, fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, heavy-and-civil-engineering, coastal-protection, infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.4 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC.. NASSAU COUNTY SHORE PROTECTION PROJECT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WEEKS MARINE, 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 $15.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-04-10. End: 2008-11-28.
What is the track record of Weeks Marine, Inc. on similar federal contracts?
Weeks Marine, Inc. has a significant history of performing marine construction and dredging services for federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their portfolio often includes projects related to beach nourishment, dredging, breakwater construction, and other coastal infrastructure. Analyzing their past performance on similar shore protection projects, including contract values, completion timeliness, and any reported disputes or claims, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability for this specific contract. A review of their award history and past performance evaluations, where available, would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.
How does the $15.4 million contract value compare to similar shore protection projects?
The $15.4 million contract value for the Nassau County Shore Protection Project is a moderate figure for coastal engineering work. To benchmark this effectively, it would be necessary to compare it with other Army Corps of Engineers projects of similar scope, scale, and geographic location. Factors such as the type of protection (e.g., beach nourishment, seawall construction), the length of shoreline protected, and the specific environmental conditions of the site all influence cost. Without a detailed comparison to projects with comparable technical specifications and environmental challenges, it is difficult to definitively state whether this represents exceptional value or is on the higher end.
What are the primary risks associated with this shore protection project?
Key risks for this shore protection project include unforeseen subsurface conditions (e.g., encountering unexpected rock formations or unstable soils), adverse weather events that could delay construction or damage completed work, and potential environmental impacts requiring mitigation. Given the fixed-price nature of the contract, Weeks Marine, Inc. bears the primary financial risk for cost overruns stemming from these issues. However, the government may still face risks related to project delays, potential disputes, and ensuring the long-term effectiveness and durability of the completed protection measures.
How effective are shore protection projects in mitigating coastal erosion and storm damage?
Shore protection projects, when properly designed and implemented, can be highly effective in mitigating coastal erosion and reducing storm damage. Techniques like beach nourishment, dune restoration, and the construction of hard structures (e.g., seawalls, groins) aim to dissipate wave energy and stabilize shorelines. The effectiveness, however, is contingent on factors such as the type of project, the specific coastal dynamics, maintenance schedules, and the intensity of storm events. Long-term monitoring is crucial to assess sustained performance and adapt strategies as needed. This project's success will be measured by its ability to protect the designated shoreline over its intended lifespan.
What has been the historical spending trend for similar Army shore protection projects?
Historical spending on Army shore protection projects managed by the Army Corps of Engineers has varied significantly based on the scale of the projects, regional needs, and federal appropriations. Major initiatives often involve hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars over multiple years for large-scale coastal defense systems. Smaller, localized projects like the Nassau County effort typically fall within the multi-million dollar range. Trends are influenced by national priorities, disaster recovery funding, and ongoing efforts to address climate change impacts on coastal infrastructure. Analyzing past budgets allocated to similar civil works programs would provide context for this $15.4 million award.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID
Solicitation ID: W912EP08B0009
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weeks Marine Inc (UEI: 044665230)
Address: 304 GAILLE DR, COVINGTON, LA, 70433
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,414,396
Exercised Options: $15,414,396
Current Obligation: $15,414,396
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-04-10
Current End Date: 2008-11-28
Potential End Date: 2008-11-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-03-28
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