DOD Awards $25.3M for Sabine to Galveston Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Design
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,276,637 ($25.3M)
Contractor: FNI Cowi & CDM Smith JV
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-06-02
End Date: 2026-06-03
Contract Duration: 2,192 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: A-E SERVICES FOR DESIGN OF THE SABINE TO GALVESTON BAY, PORT ARTHUR AND VICINITY COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT, PAV 03A
Place of Performance
Location: FORT WORTH, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76109
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $25.3 million to FNI COWI & CDM SMITH JV for work described as: A-E SERVICES FOR DESIGN OF THE SABINE TO GALVESTON BAY, PORT ARTHUR AND VICINITY COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT, PAV 03A Key points: 1. Contract awarded to FNI COWI & CDM SMITH JV for engineering services. 2. Project focuses on critical coastal storm risk management in Texas. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract is firm fixed price, providing cost certainty for taxpayers.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $25.3 million for engineering services appears reasonable given the project's scope and complexity. Benchmarking against similar large-scale infrastructure design projects would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition indicates that multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid, likely driving a more competitive price discovery process. This method is generally preferred for ensuring fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price contract structure helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently, as the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns.
Public Impact
Enhances coastal resilience for a vital economic region. Supports long-term protection against storm surge and flooding. Creates jobs in engineering and related fields. Improves infrastructure critical to national security and commerce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in complex, long-term design projects.
- Reliance on a single joint venture for critical design elements.
Positive Signals
- Clear project objective with significant public benefit.
- Competitive bidding process likely secured favorable pricing.
- Firm fixed price contract offers budget predictability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to civil and environmental engineering for large-scale infrastructure projects. Spending in this area is often driven by federal and state initiatives for infrastructure improvement and resilience.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate specific subcontracting goals for small businesses on this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Army, under the Department of Defense, is responsible for oversight. The firm fixed price contract and defined delivery order structure provide some level of accountability, but ongoing monitoring of progress and adherence to scope is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for schedule delays impacting downstream construction.
- Complexity of the project may lead to unforeseen design challenges.
- Reliance on a joint venture could present coordination risks.
- Long duration of the contract (2020-2026) increases exposure to changing conditions.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $25.3 million to FNI COWI & CDM SMITH JV. A-E SERVICES FOR DESIGN OF THE SABINE TO GALVESTON BAY, PORT ARTHUR AND VICINITY COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT, PAV 03A
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FNI COWI & CDM SMITH JV.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-06-02. End: 2026-06-03.
What is the historical cost performance of similar coastal storm risk management design projects awarded by the Department of Defense?
Historical cost performance data for similar projects is essential for a comprehensive value assessment. Analyzing past projects can reveal trends in cost overruns or savings, identify common challenges in design and execution, and provide benchmarks for evaluating the current contract's pricing. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively assess if $25.3 million represents an optimal investment.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones for this design contract, and how will adherence be monitored?
Understanding the KPIs and milestones is critical for assessing project effectiveness and risk. Clear, measurable objectives for the design phase, along with a robust monitoring plan by the Department of the Army, will ensure the contractor stays on track. This includes regular progress reviews, quality checks, and timely delivery of design documents to mitigate risks of delays and cost overruns.
What is the long-term maintenance and operational cost implication of the design being developed under this contract?
While this contract focuses on design, the long-term implications for maintenance and operational costs are significant. The design choices made now will directly impact the lifecycle costs of the resulting infrastructure. Evaluating the design's efficiency, material durability, and ease of maintenance is crucial for ensuring the overall value and sustainability of the storm risk management project for taxpayers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4055 INTERNATIONAL PLZ STE 200, FORT WORTH, TX, 76109
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,031,132
Exercised Options: $25,661,913
Current Obligation: $25,276,637
Actual Outlays: $5,675,352
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W912HY19D0008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-06-02
Current End Date: 2026-06-03
Potential End Date: 2026-06-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-05
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