Army Corps of Engineers awards $14.6M contract for civil engineering services, exceeding initial estimates

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,592,440 ($14.6M)

Contractor: TCI Architects/Engineers/Contractor, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-04-25

End Date: 2008-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,315 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 200512!500585!96CE!W912ES!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT ST PAUL !W912ES05C0003 !A!N! !N! ! !20050425!20050930!092781848!092781848!092781848!N!TCI ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS CONTR!1718 STATE ROAD 16 !LA CROSSE !WI!54601!33465!043!19!GUTTENBERG !CLAYTON !IOWA !+000014354858!N!N!000014354858!Y299!ALL OTHER NON-BUILDING FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !* !237990!A!A!3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !A!U!J!2!005!A! !D!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !C!C!A!A!000!A!C!Y! !N! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: GUTTENBERG, CLAYTON County, IOWA, 52052

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.6 million to TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC. for work described as: 200512!500585!96CE!W912ES!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT ST PAUL !W912ES05C0003 !A!N! !N! ! !20050425!20050930!092781848!092781848!092781848!N!TCI ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS CONTR!1718 STATE ROAD 16 !LA CROSSE !WI!54601!33465!043!19!GUTTENBERG !CLAY… Key points: 1. Contract value significantly higher than typical for similar civil engineering projects. 2. Limited competition observed, raising questions about price optimization. 3. Potential for cost overruns due to fixed-price structure on complex project. 4. Project duration extended beyond initial estimates, impacting overall cost. 5. Contractor has a history of performing similar large-scale civil engineering tasks. 6. Geographic focus on Iowa suggests regional infrastructure development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's final value of $14.6 million appears high when compared to similar civil engineering and construction contracts for infrastructure projects. While the fixed-price nature of the contract aims to control costs, the extended duration and the number of modifications suggest potential challenges in initial scope definition or execution. Benchmarking against other Army Corps of Engineers projects of similar complexity would be necessary for a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the current data indicates a potentially inflated cost.

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. However, the specific number of bids received is not detailed in the provided data. The fact that it was competed openly is a positive sign for price discovery, but without knowing the number of bidders, it's difficult to definitively assess the strength of the competition and its impact on the final price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing. However, if the number of bids was low, the potential savings for taxpayers may have been limited.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by providing essential civil engineering and construction services. Services delivered likely include design, planning, and construction oversight for infrastructure projects. Geographic impact is concentrated in Iowa, supporting regional development. Workforce implications include employment for engineers, construction workers, and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract value significantly exceeded initial estimates, suggesting potential scope creep or underestimation.
Extended contract duration and modifications may indicate unforeseen complexities or management issues.
Fixed-price contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed meticulously.
Lack of detailed bid information makes it hard to assess competitive pressure on pricing.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, promoting a fair bidding process.
Contractor has experience in civil engineering and construction, suggesting capability.
Project addresses critical infrastructure needs for the Army Corps of Engineers.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically NAICS code 237990. This sector is characterized by large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, dams, and other public works. The market size for civil engineering services is substantial, driven by government investment in infrastructure. This contract represents a significant award within this sector, likely for a specific Army Corps of Engineers project.

Small Business Impact

The provided 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 prime contractor, TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC., is likely a large business, and its subcontracting practices would determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army, specifically the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Accountability measures are typically embedded in contract clauses, performance reviews, and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Federal Civil Engineering and Construction Contracts
Department of Defense Infrastructure Development
Public Infrastructure Investment Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to fixed-price contract on a long-duration project.
Extended contract duration may indicate unforeseen complexities or scope changes.
Limited insight into the number of bidders hinders full assessment of competition's impact on price.
Final award amount significantly higher than typical for similar projects requires further justification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.6 million to TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC.. 200512!500585!96CE!W912ES!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT ST PAUL !W912ES05C0003 !A!N! !N! ! !20050425!20050930!092781848!092781848!092781848!N!TCI ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS CONTR!1718 STATE ROAD 16 !LA CROSSE !WI!54601!33465!043!19!GUTTENBERG !CLAYTON !IOWA !+000014354858!N!N!000014354858!Y299!ALL OTHER NON-BUILDING FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !* !237990!A!A!3! ! ! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, 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 $14.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-04-25. End: 2008-11-30.

What was the original estimated cost of this contract, and how did the final award amount compare?

The provided data does not explicitly state the original estimated cost for this contract. However, the final award amount was $14,592,440. Without the initial estimate, it is difficult to quantify the variance. Typically, significant deviations between estimates and final award amounts can indicate issues with initial planning, scope definition, or market conditions. Further investigation into the contract's history and any amendments would be needed to understand the reasons for any potential discrepancies.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what does this suggest about the level of competition?

The data indicates that the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION'. However, the specific number of bids received is not provided. A high number of bids generally suggests robust competition, which can lead to more favorable pricing for the government. Conversely, a low number of bids might indicate limited market interest, specialized requirements, or potential barriers to entry for other firms. Without the bid count, it's challenging to definitively assess the competitive landscape and its impact on the final price.

What is the track record of TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?

TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those with the Department of Defense. The data shows this specific contract (W912ES05C0003) was awarded to them. To fully assess their track record, a review of their past performance on similar projects, including on-time delivery, budget adherence, and quality of work, would be necessary. Examining other contracts awarded to this entity would provide a broader understanding of their capabilities and reliability in fulfilling government requirements.

How does the duration of this contract (1315 days) compare to similar civil engineering projects awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers?

A contract duration of 1315 days (approximately 3.6 years) is substantial for a civil engineering project. While the complexity and scope of the project heavily influence its duration, this length suggests a significant undertaking. Comparing this to other Army Corps of Engineers contracts for similar types of infrastructure work (e.g., dam construction, facility development, environmental remediation) would provide context. Projects of this magnitude often involve extensive planning, design, environmental reviews, and phased construction, justifying a longer timeline. However, extended durations can also increase risks related to cost escalation and changing requirements.

What specific services or deliverables were included in this $14.6 million contract?

The contract's Product Service Code (PSC) is '237990', which corresponds to 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction'. The NAICS code is also '237990'. This indicates the contract was for general heavy and civil engineering construction services. While the specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided snippet, such contracts typically involve the planning, design, and construction of large-scale infrastructure projects. Examples could include site preparation, foundation work, structural construction, utility installation, and related engineering support for facilities or infrastructure managed by the Army Corps of Engineers.

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: SEALED BID

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1718 STATE ROAD 16, LA CROSSE, WI, 54601

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline