Army awards $8.8M for GIWW dredging, with Inland Dredging Company securing the contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,821,700 ($8.8M)
Contractor: Inland Dredging Company, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-12-19
End Date: 2026-07-11
Contract Duration: 204 days
Daily Burn Rate: $43.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (GIWW), FREEPORT TO MATAGORDA BAY MAINTENANCE DREDGING, BRAZORIA, MATAGORDA, AND CALHOUN COUNTIES, TEXAS
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, BRAZORIA County, TEXAS, 77047
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $8.8 million to INLAND DREDGING COMPANY, L.L.C. for work described as: GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (GIWW), FREEPORT TO MATAGORDA BAY MAINTENANCE DREDGING, BRAZORIA, MATAGORDA, AND CALHOUN COUNTIES, TEXAS Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential maintenance dredging for a critical waterway. 2. Competition was robust, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The project duration is approximately 20 months. 5. This contract supports vital maritime infrastructure in Texas.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $8.8 million for maintenance dredging appears reasonable given the scope of work involving multiple counties along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Benchmarking against similar large-scale dredging projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of costs and has negotiated a price that incentivizes contractor efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with four bids received. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and suggests that multiple capable contractors were interested in the work. The agency's ability to attract four bidders indicates a healthy market for this type of service.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more competitive pricing, which is beneficial for taxpayers by ensuring the government obtains services at a fair market value.
Public Impact
Benefits commercial shipping and navigation along the Texas coast. Ensures continued accessibility and capacity of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Supports economic activity in Brazoria, Matagorda, and Calhoun Counties. Maintains critical U.S. maritime infrastructure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
- Firm fixed-price contract type, which transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
- Contract duration is defined, allowing for clear project management and oversight.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically focusing on maritime infrastructure maintenance. The dredging market is specialized, often involving significant capital investment in equipment and expertise. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is a vital artery for commerce, and its maintenance is crucial for regional and national economic activity. Spending on waterway maintenance is a recurring necessity for agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Inland Dredging Company, L.L.C. There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this particular contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this large civil engineering project.
Oversight & Accountability
The Army Corps of Engineers typically has robust oversight mechanisms for its construction and maintenance contracts, including site inspections, progress reporting, and quality assurance. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract also provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award announcements and public reporting.
Related Government Programs
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
- Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Operations
- Maritime Navigation and Dredging Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for environmental impacts during dredging operations.
- Dependence on contractor's equipment availability and operational efficiency.
- Risk of unforeseen subsurface conditions impacting schedule or cost.
Tags
construction, department-of-the-army, texas, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, maritime-infrastructure, dredging, civil-engineering, maintenance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $8.8 million to INLAND DREDGING COMPANY, L.L.C.. GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (GIWW), FREEPORT TO MATAGORDA BAY MAINTENANCE DREDGING, BRAZORIA, MATAGORDA, AND CALHOUN COUNTIES, TEXAS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INLAND DREDGING COMPANY, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $8.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-12-19. End: 2026-07-11.
What is the historical spending pattern for maintenance dredging on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in this region?
Historical spending data for maintenance dredging on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) in the specified region (Freeport to Matagorda Bay) would reveal trends in contract values, frequency of dredging, and the types of contractors awarded work. Analyzing past contracts can help establish a baseline for 'normal' spending and identify any significant deviations in the current award. For instance, if this $8.8 million contract is substantially higher or lower than previous similar maintenance efforts, it warrants further investigation into the reasons, such as increased scope, inflation, or changes in dredging technology and environmental regulations. Understanding historical costs also aids in assessing the value-for-money of the current contract and predicting future budgetary needs for waterway maintenance.
How does the per-unit cost of this dredging contract compare to similar projects nationwide?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost of this dredging contract against similar projects nationwide is crucial for assessing value for money. 'Per-unit cost' could be defined in several ways, such as cost per cubic yard of material dredged, cost per linear foot of channel maintained, or cost per acre of area dredged. Without specific metrics on the volume of material to be removed or the exact length of the channel to be dredged, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, if such data were available, comparing it to national averages for similar Army Corps of Engineers projects would indicate if Inland Dredging Company's pricing is competitive. A significantly higher per-unit cost might suggest inefficiencies, higher operational expenses in this region, or less competitive bidding, while a lower cost could indicate efficiency or a particularly favorable bid.
What is Inland Dredging Company's track record with the Department of the Army and similar dredging projects?
Inland Dredging Company, L.L.C.'s track record with the Department of the Army and on comparable dredging projects is a key indicator of performance risk. Reviewing their past performance evaluations, contract history, and any documented instances of delays, cost overruns, or quality issues on previous Army contracts would provide insight. Specifically, their experience with large-scale maintenance dredging on vital waterways like the GIWW is important. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget project completion suggests a lower risk profile for this current contract. Conversely, a pattern of subpar performance could signal potential challenges in execution, impacting the timely and effective maintenance of the waterway.
What are the potential environmental risks associated with this dredging project and how are they being managed?
Maintenance dredging projects, particularly in coastal environments like the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, carry potential environmental risks. These can include the disturbance of benthic habitats, the resuspension of contaminated sediments, impacts on water quality (turbidity), and potential effects on marine life and endangered species. The management of these risks typically involves detailed environmental impact assessments, adherence to strict environmental permits (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 404 permits), and the implementation of best management practices during dredging operations. This could include specific protocols for sediment handling and disposal, monitoring of water quality, and measures to protect sensitive ecosystems. The contract documents and associated environmental compliance plans would detail these mitigation strategies.
How does the duration of this contract (204 days) align with typical maintenance dredging cycles for this section of the GIWW?
The contract duration of 204 days (approximately 6.8 months) needs to be assessed against the typical maintenance dredging cycle for this specific section of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). Maintenance dredging is often a recurring necessity, driven by natural sedimentation processes. The frequency and duration of these cycles depend on factors like waterway traffic, sediment type, and local hydrodynamics. If 204 days is significantly shorter or longer than historical dredging periods for this segment, it could indicate changes in the required scope of work, the efficiency of the contractor, or potentially altered sedimentation rates. Understanding this alignment helps in evaluating the adequacy of the planned work duration and its impact on waterway navigability.
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: W912HY25BA023
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 517 LAKE RD STE B, DYERSBURG, TN, 38024
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,134,800
Exercised Options: $8,821,700
Current Obligation: $8,821,700
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-12-19
Current End Date: 2026-07-11
Potential End Date: 2026-07-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-29
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