Dredged Material Containment Area Improvements Awarded to ASHRIDGE INC for $14.18M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,175,762 ($14.2M)

Contractor: Ashridge Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-08-16

End Date: 2024-06-02

Contract Duration: 656 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: JONES OYSTERBED ISLAND (JOI) DREDGED MATERIAL CONTAINMENT AREA (DMCA) DIKE RAISING AND WEIR IMPROVEMENTS SAVANNAH HARBOR, JASPER COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

Place of Performance

Location: RIDGELAND, JASPER County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29936

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.2 million to ASHRIDGE INC for work described as: JONES OYSTERBED ISLAND (JOI) DREDGED MATERIAL CONTAINMENT AREA (DMCA) DIKE RAISING AND WEIR IMPROVEMENTS SAVANNAH HARBOR, JASPER COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a potentially specialized requirement. 2. The definitive contract type suggests a flexible agreement for services over a period. 3. The duration of 656 days points to a significant, multi-year construction project. 4. The contract's focus on dike raising and weir improvements addresses critical infrastructure needs for material containment. 5. The project is located in Jasper County, South Carolina, impacting regional environmental and civil engineering efforts. 6. The firm fixed price contract type aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14.18 million for dike raising and weir improvements appears to be within a reasonable range for large-scale civil engineering projects of this nature. Benchmarking against similar Army Corps of Engineers projects for dredged material containment area enhancements would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed price structure suggests an effort to manage cost overruns, but the absence of detailed cost breakdowns makes a granular price assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-qualification or specialized capabilities. The number of bidders (4) indicates a moderate level of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery, but the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation into the rationale.

Taxpayer Impact: The moderate competition level, despite source exclusions, likely resulted in a competitive price for taxpayers. However, understanding the criteria for source exclusion is crucial to ensure no potentially lower-cost, capable vendors were unfairly barred.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and potentially the environmental health of the Savannah Harbor region, through improved containment of dredged materials. The services delivered include heavy civil engineering construction, specifically focusing on raising dikes and improving weir structures. The geographic impact is localized to Jasper County, South Carolina, affecting local infrastructure and potentially environmental management. Workforce implications include employment for skilled construction labor, engineers, and project managers involved in the civil engineering sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the fixed price does not adequately account for unforeseen site conditions or material price fluctuations.
Risk associated with the 'exclusion of sources' clause, which could limit competition and potentially increase costs if not justified.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical infrastructure project introduces performance risk.
Environmental risks associated with large-scale construction activities impacting local ecosystems.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses a critical need for dredged material containment, contributing to the long-term viability of the Savannah Harbor.
Moderate number of bidders (4) suggests some level of market interest and capability.
The project is awarded to a contractor with experience in heavy civil engineering construction.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, a significant part of the broader construction industry. This sector is characterized by large-scale projects, often involving public infrastructure. Spending in this area is typically driven by government needs for transportation, environmental management, and resource development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other Army Corps of Engineers projects for similar dike and containment structure improvements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary focus for this specific contract award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist within the execution of this large civil engineering project, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, through potential subcontracting roles rather than direct prime contract awards.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army, likely through the Army Corps of Engineers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and quality control requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed project progress reports and Inspector General oversight would be crucial for ongoing accountability.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Dredging Projects
Civil Works Construction Contracts
Environmental Infrastructure Projects
Port and Harbor Maintenance
Dredged Material Management

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Risk of cost escalation if fixed price does not account for unforeseen conditions.
Performance risk associated with a single contractor on a critical infrastructure project.
Environmental impact during construction phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.2 million to ASHRIDGE INC. JONES OYSTERBED ISLAND (JOI) DREDGED MATERIAL CONTAINMENT AREA (DMCA) DIKE RAISING AND WEIR IMPROVEMENTS SAVANNAH HARBOR, JASPER COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASHRIDGE 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 $14.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-16. End: 2024-06-02.

What is the track record of ASHRIDGE INC in completing similar large-scale civil engineering projects for the Department of Defense or Army Corps of Engineers?

A thorough review of ASHRIDGE INC's contract history with the Department of Defense and Army Corps of Engineers is necessary to assess their track record. Specifically, one would look for past performance on projects involving dike construction, weir improvements, or dredged material containment areas. Key metrics to examine include on-time delivery, adherence to budget (especially for fixed-price contracts), quality of work, and any history of disputes or contract modifications. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and contractor performance assessment reporting (CPARS) would be vital in evaluating their experience and reliability for this specific project.

How does the awarded amount of $14.18 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for this project, and what factors influenced the final price?

Without access to the government's independent government cost estimate (IGCE) or the detailed bid breakdown from ASHRIDGE INC, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the firm fixed price of $14.18 million suggests that the government and the contractor agreed on this amount as the total cost for the specified work. Factors influencing this price would include the complexity of the engineering required, material costs, labor rates in Jasper County, South Carolina, the project duration (656 days), and the profit margin. The 'exclusion of sources' aspect might also play a role; if fewer bidders were eligible, the price could potentially be higher than under broader competition. A benchmark against similar Army Corps of Engineers projects would offer further context.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' contract type for this project?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FOUC-ES) contract type presents a unique risk profile. While intended to be competitive, the exclusion of certain sources implies that the government had specific criteria for participation, potentially related to specialized technology, past performance, or security requirements. The risk lies in whether these exclusions were justified and if they inadvertently limited the pool of capable bidders, potentially leading to a higher price than if all potential sources were allowed. It also raises questions about transparency and fairness in the procurement process. The government must have a strong justification for excluding sources to mitigate the risk of protests and ensure the best value was obtained.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the success of the JONES OYSTERBED ISLAND (JOI) DMCA DIKE RAISING AND WEIR IMPROVEMENTS project?

Key performance indicators for this project would likely revolve around successful completion of the physical construction objectives, adherence to schedule, and quality of work. Specific KPIs could include: 1) Completion of dike raising to the specified elevation and structural integrity standards. 2) Successful installation and functionality of weir improvements as per design specifications. 3) Adherence to the project schedule (656 days duration), with minimal delays. 4) Meeting all environmental compliance and mitigation requirements during and after construction. 5) Quality control metrics, ensuring materials and workmanship meet or exceed contract standards. 6) Safety performance, measured by incident rates and adherence to safety protocols. These KPIs would be monitored by the contracting officer's representative (COR) or technical point of contact.

How does the historical spending on similar dredged material containment area projects by the Army Corps of Engineers compare to this $14.18 million award?

To assess historical spending, one would need to analyze the Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) contract database for similar projects over the past 5-10 years. This would involve searching for contracts related to 'dredged material containment areas,' 'dike construction,' 'weir improvements,' and 'containment facility maintenance' within USACE districts, particularly those managing significant dredging operations like Savannah Harbor. The analysis should focus on contract values, project scopes, durations, and contract types. Comparing the $14.18 million award to the average and median contract values for similar projects would indicate whether this award is within the expected range, potentially higher, or lower, considering factors like inflation, project complexity, and regional cost differences.

What are the potential long-term environmental benefits and risks associated with the improvements to the JONES OYSTERBED ISLAND DMCA?

The long-term environmental benefits of raising dikes and improving weirs at a dredged material containment area (DMCA) primarily involve enhanced containment capacity and reduced risk of environmental contamination. Improved containment prevents the release of potentially harmful substances from dredged materials into surrounding waterways, protecting aquatic ecosystems and water quality. This is crucial for maintaining the health of harbors and downstream environments. However, risks can include the environmental impact of the construction process itself, such as temporary habitat disruption, noise pollution, and potential sediment disturbance. Long-term, the effectiveness of the improved structures in preventing seepage or catastrophic failure (e.g., dike breach) is also a key consideration for sustained environmental protection.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912HN22B5006

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1418 SPRING GROVE RD, BONNEAU, SC, 29431

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,175,762

Exercised Options: $14,175,762

Current Obligation: $14,175,762

Actual Outlays: $108,774

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline