Army awards $24.35M contract for Jacksonville Harbor dredging, highlighting critical infrastructure maintenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,350,104 ($24.4M)

Contractor: Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting CO LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-01-15

End Date: 2025-09-27

Contract Duration: 255 days

Daily Burn Rate: $95.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: JACKSONVILLE HARBOR, MAINTENANCE DREDGING, CUT 17 THRU LTC, DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA

Place of Performance

Location: JACKSONVILLE, DUVAL County, FLORIDA, 32099

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.4 million to CASHMAN DREDGING & MARINE CONTRACTING CO LLC for work described as: JACKSONVILLE HARBOR, MAINTENANCE DREDGING, CUT 17 THRU LTC, DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in maintaining navigable waterways. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding environment for this specialized service. 3. Contract duration of 255 days indicates a focused effort on a specific dredging phase. 4. The award to a single contractor implies a need for specialized capabilities in marine construction. 5. Geographic focus on Duval County, Florida, points to regional infrastructure priorities. 6. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $24.35 million for dredging services appears reasonable given the scope of work for Jacksonville Harbor. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering projects, the cost per day of operation is within expected ranges for specialized marine construction. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, although it places the risk of cost overruns on the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders were likely solicited. The presence of two bidders, as suggested by the data, points to a degree of competition, which is generally favorable for price discovery and value for money. However, the specific number of bids received and the range of pricing would provide a clearer picture of the competitive intensity.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through a competitive bidding process. This approach maximizes the opportunity to secure the best value for the government.

Public Impact

Benefits the maritime industry by ensuring continued navigability of the Jacksonville Harbor. Supports regional economic activity by facilitating the movement of goods and materials. Contributes to the maintenance of critical U.S. Army Corps of Engineers infrastructure. Impacts the local workforce in Duval County through employment opportunities in specialized construction.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen subsurface conditions are encountered, though mitigated by fixed-price contract.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical infrastructure maintenance task.
Environmental impact considerations during dredging operations require careful monitoring.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
Contract focuses on a specific, defined phase of harbor maintenance, indicating clear objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically focusing on dredging services. This sector is vital for maintaining and improving national infrastructure, including ports, waterways, and harbors. The market for large-scale dredging is specialized, often dominated by a few experienced firms capable of undertaking such complex projects. Spending in this area is driven by the need to ensure navigability for commerce and defense.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific award (ss: false, sb: false). While this contract itself may not directly benefit small businesses through set-asides, the prime contractor, Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting Co LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or equipment. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a component of the Department of Defense. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, which requires the contractor to deliver specified dredging services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Inland Waterways Trust Fund
Port Infrastructure Development Program
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) appropriations for infrastructure

Risk Flags

Environmental compliance monitoring required.
Potential for unforeseen subsurface conditions.
Weather-dependent operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.4 million to CASHMAN DREDGING & MARINE CONTRACTING CO LLC. JACKSONVILLE HARBOR, MAINTENANCE DREDGING, CUT 17 THRU LTC, DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CASHMAN DREDGING & MARINE CONTRACTING CO 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 $24.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-15. End: 2025-09-27.

What is the historical spending pattern for Jacksonville Harbor maintenance dredging by the Army Corps of Engineers?

Historical spending on Jacksonville Harbor maintenance dredging by the Army Corps of Engineers has been consistent, reflecting the ongoing need to maintain adequate channel depths for commercial and military traffic. While specific annual figures fluctuate based on dredging cycles, project scope, and available funding, the overall trend indicates a sustained commitment to this critical infrastructure. For instance, prior dredging contracts in the vicinity have ranged from several million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the specific cut or phase of maintenance. The current award of approximately $24.35 million aligns with the scale of previous major dredging efforts, suggesting a predictable, albeit variable, investment in keeping the harbor operational and economically viable.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or previous contract values for similar dredging projects?

The awarded amount of $24.35 million for this phase of Jacksonville Harbor maintenance dredging appears to be within the expected range for large-scale civil engineering projects of this nature. While precise comparisons require access to detailed historical contract data for identical project scopes, similar dredging efforts for major U.S. ports often fall within the tens of millions of dollars. Factors such as the volume of material to be removed, the complexity of the subsurface conditions, environmental mitigation requirements, and the specific equipment and personnel needed all influence the final cost. The firm fixed-price nature of this contract suggests that the government has secured a defined scope of work at a set price, which is a common and often advantageous approach for predictable infrastructure maintenance.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this dredging contract?

The success of this dredging contract will likely be evaluated based on several key performance indicators (KPIs). Primarily, the contractor's ability to meet the specified dredging depths and volumes within the contracted timeframe (255 days) will be crucial. Adherence to environmental regulations and permit conditions during the dredging process, such as managing turbidity and spoil disposal, will also be a critical measure. Furthermore, the quality of the work, ensuring that the dredged material is removed according to specifications and that the resulting channel meets the required navigational standards, will be assessed. The contractor's safety record throughout the project duration is another important KPI, reflecting responsible project execution. Finally, the overall cost performance, ensuring the project is completed within the firm fixed-price budget, is a fundamental measure of success.

What is the track record of Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting Co LLC in executing similar federal contracts?

Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting Co LLC has a notable track record in executing federal contracts, particularly within the marine construction and dredging sectors. As a significant player in this specialized field, the company has been awarded numerous contracts by agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Transportation for port and waterway maintenance and improvement projects. Their experience often includes large-scale dredging operations, channel deepening, and shoreline protection. Publicly available contract data indicates a history of successfully completed projects, often involving complex environmental considerations and demanding operational schedules. This established history suggests a capability to manage the technical and logistical challenges associated with the Jacksonville Harbor dredging contract.

Are there any identified risks associated with this specific dredging project or contractor?

Potential risks associated with this dredging project include unforeseen subsurface geological conditions that could increase dredging time or costs, although the firm fixed-price contract shifts this financial risk to the contractor. Environmental risks, such as encountering protected species or exceeding turbidity limits, could lead to work stoppages or require costly mitigation measures. Contractor-specific risks, while not explicitly detailed in the provided data, could involve potential delays due to equipment availability or labor issues, though Cashman Dredging's established track record suggests a lower probability of such occurrences. The geographic location and nature of dredging also present inherent operational risks related to weather and maritime traffic.

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: W912EP25B0003

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 549 SOUTH ST, QUINCY, MA, 02169

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,350,104

Exercised Options: $24,350,104

Current Obligation: $24,350,104

Actual Outlays: $1,280,758

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline