Moore & Cowart Contractors Inc. awarded $12.8M for Alamogordo Flood Control Phase IV by the Department of the Army

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,775,315 ($12.8M)

Contractor: Moore & Cowart Contractors Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-05-30

End Date: 2011-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,492 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/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: ALAMOGORDO FLOOD CONTROL PHASE IV,

Place of Performance

Location: ALAMOGORDO, OTERO County, NEW MEXICO, 88310

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.8 million to MOORE & COWART CONTRACTORS INC for work described as: ALAMOGORDO FLOOD CONTROL PHASE IV, Key points: 1. Contract value of $12.8M for flood control infrastructure. 2. Awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating a defense-related infrastructure need. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. Duration of 1492 days indicates a long-term project with sustained effort. 5. Project located in New Mexico, potentially addressing regional environmental concerns. 6. No small business set-aside, suggesting the scale or nature of the work was not specifically targeted for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12.8 million for flood control infrastructure appears to be within a reasonable range for a multi-year civil engineering project. Without specific benchmarks for similar flood control phases in New Mexico or comparable regions, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, providing a degree of cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, leading to a limited competitive environment. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, but this approach can sometimes result in fewer bidders than a truly open competition, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A limited competition may mean that the government did not secure the most competitive pricing possible, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully open bid process.

Public Impact

Residents and businesses in Alamogordo, New Mexico, benefit from improved flood protection. The project delivers essential civil engineering services for critical infrastructure. Geographic impact is concentrated in the Alamogordo, New Mexico area. The project likely supports local construction and engineering jobs during its duration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost inefficiencies due to limited competition.
Risk of scope creep or delays in a long-duration project.
Dependence on a single contractor for a significant infrastructure project.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Project addresses a critical public safety need (flood control).
Long project duration allows for focused execution and potential learning curve benefits for the contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically related to environmental infrastructure. The market for such projects is often driven by government funding for public works, disaster mitigation, and environmental protection. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in other Army Corps of Engineers projects or similar state and local government flood control initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the project's scope or complexity may have been better suited for larger firms, or that small business participation was not a primary objective for this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army, likely through contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project-specific oversight reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Federal Disaster Mitigation Funding
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Projects

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Long project duration increases risk of cost escalation or delays.
Contractor performance history needs review for reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.8 million to MOORE & COWART CONTRACTORS INC. ALAMOGORDO FLOOD CONTROL PHASE IV,

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOORE & COWART CONTRACTORS 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 $12.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-05-30. End: 2011-06-30.

What is the track record of Moore & Cowart Contractors Inc. on similar federal contracts?

Moore & Cowart Contractors Inc. has a history of federal contract awards, primarily within the Department of Defense and other agencies involved in construction and infrastructure. Analyzing their past performance on projects of similar scale and complexity, particularly those involving civil engineering and flood control, would provide insight into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets. A review of past performance evaluations and any contract disputes or terminations would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.

How does the $12.8 million contract value compare to similar flood control projects in New Mexico?

Benchmarking the $12.8 million contract value against similar flood control projects in New Mexico requires access to detailed cost data for comparable projects. Factors such as project scope, specific engineering challenges, environmental conditions, and the duration of the project significantly influence costs. Without specific comparable project data, it's difficult to definitively state if this value represents excellent, fair, or concerning pricing. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests an effort to control costs from the outset.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for a long-duration project like this?

While a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is generally advantageous for the government by capping costs, it shifts risk to the contractor. For a long-duration project (1492 days), the primary risks for the contractor include unforeseen increases in material costs, labor shortages, or unexpected site conditions that could significantly impact their profit margin. If the contractor underestimated these risks, they might seek change orders or face financial distress, potentially impacting project completion. The government's risk is primarily related to potential contractor default or a contractor's reluctance to perform if costs escalate beyond their projections.

What does 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' imply for the effectiveness of the competition?

This procurement method implies that the agency initially intended to solicit offers from all responsible sources but subsequently excluded certain ones. The effectiveness of the competition hinges on the justification for these exclusions. If the exclusions were based on legitimate technical requirements or past performance issues, the competition might still be effective among the remaining bidders. However, if the exclusions were arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could limit the pool of potential offerors, reduce price competition, and potentially lead to higher costs for the government. The number of bids received would be a key indicator of the competition's breadth.

What are the potential long-term benefits of the Alamogordo Flood Control Phase IV project?

The long-term benefits of the Alamogordo Flood Control Phase IV project are primarily centered on enhanced public safety and resilience. By mitigating flood risks, the project aims to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure within Alamogordo. This can lead to reduced economic losses from flood damage, lower insurance costs for residents and businesses, and increased community stability. Furthermore, improved flood control can support sustainable development and land use planning in the affected areas.

How does the $12.8M spending on this project fit into the broader context of Army civil works or flood control spending?

The $12.8 million allocated to Alamogordo Flood Control Phase IV represents a specific investment within the Department of the Army's broader civil works mission, which often includes flood damage reduction projects managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. While this amount might be significant for a single phase of a local project, it is likely a modest portion of the total annual federal spending on civil works and infrastructure nationwide. Understanding its place requires comparing it to the overall budget for Army civil works and the total federal expenditure on flood control and related environmental infrastructure projects.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912PP07B0007

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3100 PRINCETON DR NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87107

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,775,315

Exercised Options: $12,775,315

Current Obligation: $12,775,315

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline