Army awards $28.4M for coastal storm risk management in Florida, focusing on beach dune restoration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,378,997 ($28.4M)
Contractor: Weeks Marine, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-05-13
End Date: 2025-05-31
Contract Duration: 383 days
Daily Burn Rate: $74.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT INITIAL CONSTRUCTION AND NORTH AND SOUTH REACHES BEACH DUNE RESTORATION FLAGLER BEACH 2024 FLAGLER COUNTY, FL
Place of Performance
Location: FLAGLER BEACH, FLAGLER County, FLORIDA, 32136
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $28.4 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC. for work described as: COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT INITIAL CONSTRUCTION AND NORTH AND SOUTH REACHES BEACH DUNE RESTORATION FLAGLER BEACH 2024 FLAGLER COUNTY, FL Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a large-scale civil engineering project of this nature. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for coastal restoration services. 3. Project duration of over a year indicates potential for schedule-related risks. 4. Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. 5. Project aligns with federal efforts to mitigate climate change impacts and enhance community resilience. 6. Geographic focus on Flagler County, Florida, addresses specific regional vulnerabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $28.4 million for coastal storm risk management and beach dune restoration seems aligned with the scope of work, which includes initial construction and restoration of north and south reaches. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering projects for coastal defense and restoration, this price appears competitive, especially given the firm fixed-price nature of the award. The contract's duration of 383 days also suggests a substantial undertaking, justifying the investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders suggests a competitive environment for this type of specialized civil engineering work. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for public funds, ensuring that the $28.4 million investment is used efficiently for critical infrastructure protection.
Public Impact
Residents and businesses in Flagler Beach, Florida, will benefit from enhanced protection against coastal storm damage. The project will deliver critical services including initial construction and restoration of beach dunes. Geographic impact is concentrated in Flagler County, Florida, specifically Flagler Beach. The project is expected to support jobs in the construction and environmental services sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if unforeseen environmental conditions arise during construction.
- Risk of delays due to weather or permitting issues common in coastal projects.
- Contractor performance history needs to be monitored closely for adherence to quality standards.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
- Project addresses a critical need for coastal resilience and storm damage mitigation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically focusing on coastal resilience and environmental restoration. The market for such services is driven by increasing awareness of climate change impacts, rising sea levels, and the need to protect coastal communities and infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar Army Corps of Engineers projects often range in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale and complexity of the restoration or defense measures.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor, WEEKS MARINE, INC., is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting planned for this project and its overall impact on the small business ecosystem in the region.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this Department of the Army contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for executing civil works projects. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific project oversight details may vary.
Related Government Programs
- Coastal Storm Risk Management
- Beach Dune Restoration Projects
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works
- Flood Mitigation Infrastructure
- Environmental Restoration Projects
Risk Flags
- Potential for environmental impacts during construction
- Weather-related delays are common in coastal projects
- Long-term effectiveness depends on maintenance and natural processes
Tags
construction, coastal-resilience, storm-damage-mitigation, beach-restoration, department-of-defense, army-corps-of-engineers, florida, flagler-county, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, heavy-civil-engineering, environmental-restoration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $28.4 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC.. COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT INITIAL CONSTRUCTION AND NORTH AND SOUTH REACHES BEACH DUNE RESTORATION FLAGLER BEACH 2024 FLAGLER COUNTY, FL
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 $28.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-13. End: 2025-05-31.
What is the track record of WEEKS MARINE, INC. on similar federal contracts, particularly those involving coastal restoration?
WEEKS MARINE, INC. has a history of performing significant civil engineering and marine construction projects for the federal government. While specific details on their coastal restoration track record require deeper database analysis, their experience in dredging, marine construction, and heavy civil projects suggests a capability to handle complex environmental engineering tasks. A review of their past performance ratings on similar contracts, particularly with the Army Corps of Engineers, would be crucial to assess their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets on projects of comparable scale and complexity to the Flagler Beach initiative.
How does the awarded price of $28.4 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for this coastal storm risk management project?
Without access to the government's independent cost estimate or the specific budget allocated for the 'COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT INITIAL CONSTRUCTION AND NORTH AND SOUTH REACHES BEACH DUNE RESTORATION FLAGLER BEACH', it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the fact that the contract was awarded under full and open competition with three bidders suggests that the awarded price reflects market conditions and competitive pressures. If the awarded price is significantly below the government's estimate, it could indicate strong competition or potentially underestimated project complexities. Conversely, if it's at or above the estimate, it suggests the estimate was realistic or the market priced it accordingly.
What are the primary risks associated with this specific coastal restoration project, and how are they being mitigated?
Primary risks for this project include environmental factors (e.g., unforeseen subsurface conditions, weather delays impacting construction schedules), potential for scope creep if additional restoration needs are identified, and contractor performance. The firm fixed-price contract shifts significant cost overrun risk to WEEKS MARINE, INC. Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed site investigations prior to construction, robust project management by the Army Corps of Engineers, clear contract specifications, and performance monitoring. The 383-day duration also implies a phased approach, potentially allowing for adaptive management as the project progresses.
What is the expected effectiveness of this beach dune restoration project in mitigating future storm damage for Flagler Beach?
Beach dune restoration projects are a recognized and effective method for coastal storm risk management. Dunes act as natural barriers, absorbing wave energy and reducing storm surge impact on inland infrastructure and communities. The effectiveness of this specific project will depend on factors such as the volume of sand placed, the type of vegetation used for stabilization, the engineered design of the dune system, and ongoing maintenance. Successful dune restoration can significantly reduce property damage, protect critical infrastructure, and enhance the natural resilience of the coastline against moderate storm events.
How does this $28.4 million award compare to historical federal spending on similar coastal resilience projects in Florida?
Florida, with its extensive coastline and vulnerability to hurricanes, consistently receives significant federal investment in coastal storm risk management and beach nourishment projects. Awards in the range of $20-50 million for initial construction and restoration phases of major projects are not uncommon. The Army Corps of Engineers manages numerous such initiatives across the state. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze historical data for projects of similar scope (e.g., dune restoration, breakwaters, beach nourishment) managed by the Army Corps of Engineers or other relevant agencies within Florida over the past 5-10 years.
Are there any specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) defined in the contract to measure the success of the dune restoration?
While the provided data does not detail specific performance metrics, federal contracts for construction and environmental projects typically include detailed specifications and quality assurance plans. For dune restoration, KPIs would likely focus on the volume of sand placed, the final engineered profile of the dunes, the success rate of vegetation establishment and stabilization, erosion control measures, and adherence to environmental protection requirements. The Army Corps of Engineers would monitor these aspects throughout the project lifecycle to ensure the restoration meets the intended risk reduction goals.
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 BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID
Solicitation ID: W912EP24B0005
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Kiewit-Turner a Joint Venture
Address: 304 GAILLE DR, COVINGTON, LA, 70433
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,378,997
Exercised Options: $28,378,997
Current Obligation: $28,378,997
Actual Outlays: $24,644,168
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 33
Total Subaward Amount: $16,007,402
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-13
Current End Date: 2025-05-31
Potential End Date: 2025-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-28
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