DoD's $68.2M contract for temporary retaining structures awarded to Boh Bros. Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $68,250,223 ($68.3M)

Contractor: BOH Bros. Construction CO., L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-07-14

End Date: 2011-07-10

Contract Duration: 1,091 days

Daily Burn Rate: $62.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TEMPORARY RETAINING STRUCTURES

Place of Performance

Location: METAIRIE, JEFFERSON County, LOUISIANA, 70001

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $68.3 million to BOH BROS. CONSTRUCTION CO., L.L.C. for work described as: TEMPORARY RETAINING STRUCTURES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of heavy civil engineering construction. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The definitive contract type with a firm fixed price indicates clear cost expectations and risk allocation. 4. Project duration of approximately three years aligns with the complexity of large-scale civil engineering. 5. Awarded by the Department of the Army, this contract falls under heavy and civil engineering construction. 6. The contract was awarded in 2008, providing historical context for current spending benchmarks.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $68.2 million for temporary retaining structures over a 1091-day period seems within a reasonable range for a large-scale civil engineering project. Benchmarking against similar Army Corps of Engineers projects for flood control or infrastructure support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor assumed significant cost risk, which can be favorable for the government if managed effectively. Without specific details on the scope of work, a direct comparison is challenging, but the overall investment aligns with the typical scale of such infrastructure endeavors.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this significant civil engineering project. A robust competition is crucial for ensuring the government receives fair market value and avoids inflated costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the potential for taxpayer savings by driving down prices through a competitive bidding process. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, thereby promoting efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military installations or civilian infrastructure projects requiring temporary structural support during construction or repair. Services delivered include the provision and installation of temporary retaining structures, crucial for managing soil, water, or other materials during construction phases. The geographic impact is localized to Louisiana, where the contractor Boh Bros. Construction Co., L.L.C. is based and likely performed the work. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers, engineers, and project managers involved in the execution of the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite the firm fixed-price structure.
Contract duration of over three years could be subject to delays impacting project timelines.
Dependence on a single contractor for a significant infrastructure component carries inherent performance risks.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially protecting the government from unexpected expenses.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process, likely resulting in a qualified and competitive bidder.
The contract's focus on temporary structures indicates a specific, well-defined need within a larger project.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically related to specialized construction services like temporary retaining structures. This sector is characterized by large-scale projects, often involving significant public investment in infrastructure. The market size for such specialized construction can be substantial, particularly in regions prone to natural disasters or undergoing major development. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the Army Corps of Engineers' historical contract data for similar civil works.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. As a large-scale civil engineering project awarded under full and open competition, it is likely that larger construction firms were the primary bidders. The absence of specific small business set-aside provisions suggests that opportunities for small businesses might be limited to potential subcontracting roles, the extent of which is not detailed in this record.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Department of the Army contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and relevant program managers within the Army Corps of Engineers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which penalizes the contractor for cost overruns. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Infrastructure Development Contracts
Flood Control Structures
Temporary Construction Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contract duration exceeding three years increases exposure to market fluctuations and performance degradation.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical temporary support structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $68.3 million to BOH BROS. CONSTRUCTION CO., L.L.C.. TEMPORARY RETAINING STRUCTURES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOH BROS. CONSTRUCTION CO., 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 $68.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-07-14. End: 2011-07-10.

What was the specific purpose and scope of these temporary retaining structures?

The specific purpose and scope of the temporary retaining structures are not detailed in the provided data. However, in the context of the Department of the Army and the NAICS code 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction), these structures are typically used to support excavation, prevent soil or water ingress during construction, or manage site conditions for larger infrastructure projects. Examples could include coffer dams, shoring systems, or temporary earth retention walls for bridge construction, levee repair, or facility development. The $68.2 million contract value suggests a significant undertaking, likely involving substantial material, labor, and engineering.

How did the 5 bids compare in terms of price and technical approach?

The provided data indicates that 5 bids were received for this contract, signifying a competitive procurement process. However, the specific details of how these bids compared in terms of price and technical approach are not available. In a full and open competition, the government would evaluate these bids based on pre-defined criteria outlined in the solicitation. This evaluation typically considers factors such as price, technical qualifications, past performance, and small business participation. The lowest priced, technically acceptable offer is often selected, but the exact weighting and evaluation methodology would depend on the specific contract requirements and the source selection plan.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for this type of construction?

While a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is generally advantageous for the government as it shifts cost risk to the contractor, there are potential risks, especially in heavy civil engineering. Unforeseen site conditions (e.g., unexpected soil geology, groundwater issues) can significantly increase a contractor's costs, potentially leading to claims or disputes if not adequately addressed in the contract terms. For a project involving temporary retaining structures, the complexity of the site and the duration of the contract (over three years) increase the likelihood of encountering such challenges. If the contractor underestimated these risks or if the contract terms are not robust, the government might still face indirect costs related to managing claims or potential project delays.

What is the historical spending pattern for temporary retaining structures by the Department of the Army?

The provided data represents a single contract award of $68.2 million in 2008 for temporary retaining structures. To establish a historical spending pattern, one would need to analyze a broader dataset of contracts awarded by the Department of the Army (and potentially other agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers) for similar services over multiple fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts with relevant NAICS codes (like 237990) or product service codes related to temporary structures and aggregating their values. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to determine if this $68.2 million award represents a typical, high, or low level of spending for such requirements.

What is the track record of Boh Bros. Construction Co., L.L.C. on similar government contracts?

The provided data identifies Boh Bros. Construction Co., L.L.C. as the contractor for this $68.2 million award. To assess their track record on similar government contracts, one would need to access historical contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) and search for other awards to this specific company. Key metrics to examine would include the number and value of previous contracts, their performance ratings (if available), any instances of contract disputes or terminations, and their experience with projects of similar scope and complexity. A positive track record with successful past performance on large civil engineering projects would indicate a lower performance risk for this contract.

How does the contract value compare to the typical cost of similar civil engineering projects?

The contract value of $68.2 million for temporary retaining structures over approximately three years is substantial and indicative of a large-scale civil engineering project. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against similar projects undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers or other federal agencies for infrastructure development, flood control, or major construction support. Factors such as project location, specific engineering requirements (e.g., depth of excavation, soil conditions, water management), and the duration significantly influence costs. While specific comparable projects are not detailed here, this value suggests a project of considerable scope and complexity, likely within the upper range for specialized temporary structural support.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912P808R0040

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 730 S TONTI ST, NEW ORLEANS, LA, 70119

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $68,250,223

Exercised Options: $68,250,223

Current Obligation: $68,250,223

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline