Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay dredging contract awarded to Cottrell Contracting for $9.1M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,110,737 ($9.1M)

Contractor: Cottrell Contracting Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-04-25

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 349 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KINGS BAY MAINTENANCE DREDGING, CAMDEN COUNTY, GEORGIA

Place of Performance

Location: KINGS BAY, CAMDEN County, GEORGIA, 31547

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $9.1 million to COTTRELL CONTRACTING CORPORATION for work described as: NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KINGS BAY MAINTENANCE DREDGING, CAMDEN COUNTY, GEORGIA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized marine construction services. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy. 3. Potential risks include project delays due to environmental factors or unforeseen subsurface conditions. 4. This contract supports critical infrastructure maintenance for naval operations. 5. The award falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector. 6. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9.1 million for dredging services at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized marine construction. Benchmarking against similar dredging projects for military installations or critical port infrastructure would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure indicates a clear understanding of project scope and cost expectations by the government, transferring significant cost overrun risk to the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition. This procurement method might limit the pool of potential offerors, potentially impacting price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: While not fully unrestricted, the competition level still provides some leverage for price negotiation. Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure a fair price, though the exclusion of certain sources warrants scrutiny to ensure no viable competitors were unfairly barred.

Public Impact

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay benefits from essential maintenance to ensure operational readiness. The project delivers critical dredging services to maintain navigable waterways within the base. The geographic impact is localized to Camden County, Georgia, and surrounding federal waters. The contract supports specialized labor in the marine construction and dredging industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen subsurface conditions are encountered, despite fixed-price.
Risk of schedule delays due to weather or environmental regulations impacting dredging operations.
Limited competition could potentially lead to a less competitive price than a fully open bid.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract aligns incentives for contractor efficiency.
Award to an established contractor (Cottrell Contracting Corporation) suggests a degree of confidence in their capability.
Project directly supports critical national defense infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically focusing on marine construction and dredging. This sector is vital for maintaining and developing ports, waterways, and coastal infrastructure. The market for specialized dredging services is often characterized by a limited number of highly capable firms due to equipment and expertise requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar military base maintenance dredging projects would be necessary for a detailed sector analysis.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, Cottrell Contracting Corporation, will likely manage its own supply chain and may engage subcontractors based on its business needs, but this is not mandated by a small business set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and relevant departments within the Department of the Army and Department of Defense. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is typically facilitated through contract award databases and reporting mechanisms, though specific oversight reports or IG jurisdiction details for this particular contract are not provided in the summary data.

Related Government Programs

Naval Base Infrastructure Maintenance
Army Corps of Engineers Dredging Projects
Coastal Infrastructure Development
Military Port Operations Support

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential Environmental Impacts
Unforeseen Subsurface Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $9.1 million to COTTRELL CONTRACTING CORPORATION. NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KINGS BAY MAINTENANCE DREDGING, CAMDEN COUNTY, GEORGIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COTTRELL CONTRACTING CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-25. End: 2026-04-09.

What is Cottrell Contracting Corporation's track record with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

Cottrell Contracting Corporation has a history of securing federal contracts, primarily within the Department of Defense and the Army Corps of Engineers. Their awards often pertain to dredging, marine construction, and port maintenance. Analyzing their past performance ratings, any contract disputes, or modifications on similar projects would provide insight into their reliability and capability. A review of their contract history might reveal a pattern of successful project completion within budget and schedule, or conversely, highlight areas of concern that warrant closer examination for this specific award.

How does the awarded price of $9.1 million compare to similar dredging contracts for naval bases or military installations?

To benchmark the value-for-money, the $9.1 million award should be compared against similar dredging contracts awarded over the past 3-5 years for naval bases or other military installations of comparable size and complexity. Factors such as the volume of material to be dredged, the type of material, the depth of dredging, the disposal methods required, and the geographic location (which influences labor and equipment costs) are critical for a fair comparison. Without access to a database of comparable contract values and detailed project scopes, a precise benchmark is difficult, but the amount appears within a plausible range for specialized marine infrastructure work.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific dredging project at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay?

Key risks for this dredging project include environmental factors, such as encountering protected marine species, sensitive habitats, or contaminated sediments that could halt or delay work and increase disposal costs. Unforeseen subsurface geological conditions (e.g., hard rock, buried debris) could significantly impact dredging efficiency and equipment requirements, potentially leading to cost overruns if not adequately managed under the fixed-price contract. Weather-related delays, particularly during hurricane season in Georgia, are also a significant risk. Furthermore, the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition could introduce a risk if it inadvertently excluded a highly competitive bidder.

What is the expected effectiveness of this dredging contract in maintaining the operational readiness of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay?

The effectiveness of this dredging contract is directly tied to its ability to ensure that the waterways within Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay remain at the required depths and navigability for submarines and support vessels. By removing accumulated sediment, the contract ensures safe passage, efficient docking, and the overall operational readiness of the base's maritime facilities. Successful completion according to specifications will directly contribute to the base's ability to perform its mission, supporting naval power projection and readiness. The effectiveness will be measured by the achievement of the specified dredging depths and the duration for which these conditions are maintained.

How has federal spending on dredging and marine construction for military installations trended in recent years?

Federal spending on dredging and marine construction for military installations has generally remained consistent, driven by the need to maintain aging infrastructure and adapt to evolving naval requirements. Spending levels can fluctuate based on major infrastructure upgrade initiatives, the condition of existing port facilities, and national security priorities. The Department of Defense, through entities like the Army Corps of Engineers and Navy Facilities Engineering Command, is a significant funder of such projects. Trends may also be influenced by environmental regulations, technological advancements in dredging, and the strategic importance of specific naval bases.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912EP25B0009

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 328 N BATTLEFIELD BLVD, CHESAPEAKE, VA, 23320

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,110,737

Exercised Options: $9,110,737

Current Obligation: $9,110,737

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline