Army awards $5.5M contract for Mississippi River engineering support, highlighting critical infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,484,281 ($5.5M)

Contractor: Msmm Huitt-Zollars a Joint Venture LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 457 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES, BBA-18, INNER HARBOR NAVIGATION CANAL, AND MISSISSIPPI RIVER SHIP CHANNEL PROGRAMS.

Place of Performance

Location: NEW ORLEANS, ORLEANS County, LOUISIANA, 70118

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $5.5 million to MSMM HUITT-ZOLLARS A JOINT VENTURE LLC for work described as: PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES, BBA-18, INNER HARBOR NAVIGATION CANAL, AND MISSISSIPPI RIVER SHIP CHANNEL PROGRAMS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential engineering and program management for vital waterway infrastructure. 2. Competition was open, suggesting a competitive bidding process for this service. 3. The contract duration of over a year indicates a significant, ongoing need. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The awardee is a joint venture, potentially indicating specialized capabilities. 6. Geographic focus on Louisiana points to specific regional infrastructure priorities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $5.5 million for engineering services over a 16-month period appears reasonable given the scope of managing major river and navigation programs. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts for federal infrastructure projects suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating that while the competition was broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a robust competitive environment, which should drive price discovery and potentially lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market where contractors offer their best pricing and technical solutions.

Public Impact

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers benefits from expert program management and engineering support. Services will directly impact the maintenance and improvement of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, crucial for national commerce and flood control. The geographic impact is concentrated in Louisiana, a key state for navigation and port operations. The contract supports specialized engineering and project management roles, contributing to the federal workforce's technical capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited transparency if 'exclusion of sources' criteria were not clearly justified.
Dependence on a joint venture may introduce coordination complexities.
Scope creep risk inherent in large infrastructure projects.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract mitigates cost overrun risks.
Award to a joint venture may bring specialized, integrated expertise.
Focus on critical infrastructure aligns with national priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting civil works and infrastructure projects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a major client in this space, awarding numerous contracts for the design, construction, and management of waterways, dams, and flood control systems. Spending in this sector is often driven by the need to maintain and upgrade aging infrastructure and respond to environmental challenges, with significant federal investment allocated annually.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee is a joint venture, suggesting a focus on larger, potentially more specialized firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award, which could limit opportunities for smaller entities to participate in this significant infrastructure project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district responsible for the Mississippi River and Tributaries project. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract's performance work statement, with regular progress reports and milestone reviews. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific project details and performance metrics may vary in public accessibility.

Related Government Programs

Mississippi River Maintenance
Inland Waterways Navigation
Flood Control Projects
Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in large infrastructure projects.
Dependence on joint venture coordination.
Need for robust oversight to ensure quality and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $5.5 million to MSMM HUITT-ZOLLARS A JOINT VENTURE LLC. PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES, BBA-18, INNER HARBOR NAVIGATION CANAL, AND MISSISSIPPI RIVER SHIP CHANNEL PROGRAMS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MSMM HUITT-ZOLLARS A JOINT VENTURE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the historical spending trend for similar engineering support contracts managed by the Army Corps of Engineers for the Mississippi River system?

Historical spending data for similar engineering support contracts related to the Mississippi River system managed by the Army Corps of Engineers reveals a consistent and significant investment in maintaining and improving this vital waterway. Annual expenditures can fluctuate based on specific project needs, such as major repairs, upgrades, or new construction initiatives. For instance, in years with extensive dredging requirements or significant levee reinforcement projects, spending on associated engineering and program management services tends to increase. Conversely, periods focused on routine maintenance might see lower, but still substantial, contract values. Analyzing trends over the past 5-10 years would likely show an average annual spend in the tens of millions for comprehensive support services across various contracts, with individual awards like this one representing a portion of that larger investment. The current award of $5.5 million aligns with the scale of specialized support needed for ongoing operations and capital improvement programs.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or ceiling of the original contract vehicle under which this delivery order was issued?

Without access to the specific contract vehicle (e.g., a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract) under which this delivery order was issued, a direct comparison of the awarded amount to its ceiling or estimated value is not possible. However, delivery orders typically represent a portion of a larger contract's total authorized value. If this were a large IDIQ contract, the total potential value could be significantly higher, perhaps in the hundreds of millions of dollars, spread across multiple delivery orders over its lifespan. The $5.5 million award suggests this is a substantial task order, indicating a significant scope of work for the specified period. To provide a precise comparison, the details of the parent contract, including its total value and duration, would be necessary.

What specific engineering disciplines or expertise are most critical for this contract, and does the awardee's joint venture structure suggest they possess these?

This contract, focusing on the Mississippi River and Tributaries, Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, and Mississippi River Ship Channel programs, critically requires expertise in civil engineering, particularly in areas such as hydraulic engineering, structural engineering (for levees, locks, and dams), geotechnical engineering (for soil stability and foundation design), and environmental engineering. Program management and project controls are also essential. The awardee, MSMM HUITT-ZOLLARS A JOINT VENTURE LLC, suggests a combination of capabilities. Huitt-Zollars is known for its engineering and architectural services, often including civil and infrastructure projects. The 'MSMM' component likely represents another entity, possibly specializing in specific aspects like marine engineering, construction management, or environmental services. Forming a joint venture allows them to pool these diverse skill sets, presenting a comprehensive offering that likely covers the broad range of engineering disciplines needed for complex waterway management.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely to be used to evaluate the contractor's performance on this contract?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely focus on the successful execution of engineering and program management tasks related to the Mississippi River infrastructure. These could include adherence to project schedules and milestones, quality of engineering designs and reports submitted, accuracy of cost estimations and budget management, effectiveness of risk identification and mitigation strategies, and compliance with all relevant environmental and safety regulations. For program management, KPIs might also track the efficiency of coordination among various stakeholders, including government personnel, other contractors, and regulatory bodies. Timely delivery of required documentation and successful completion of technical reviews would also be critical measures of performance.

Are there any known past performance issues or significant successes associated with the prime contractor or its joint venture partners on similar federal contracts?

Assessing the specific past performance of 'MSMM HUITT-ZOLLARS A JOINT VENTURE LLC' requires access to proprietary past performance databases used by federal agencies. However, Huitt-Zollars, as a known entity, has a history of providing engineering, planning, and design services for various infrastructure projects, including those for transportation and water resources. Their performance on federal contracts would be documented in systems like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). Joint ventures often leverage the established track records of their individual members. If 'MSMM' represents a partner with significant experience in riverine or port infrastructure, their combined history would be considered. Generally, for a contract of this nature and value, the government would have thoroughly vetted the past performance of the joint venture members to ensure capability and reliability.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4640 S CARROLLTON AVE, NEW ORLEANS, LA, 70119

Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,484,281

Exercised Options: $5,484,281

Current Obligation: $5,484,281

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9126G23D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline