DoD awards $19.7M contract for Cape Cod Canal railroad bridge painting and steel repairs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,690,000 ($19.7M)

Contractor: Atlas Painting and Sheeting Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-05-15

End Date: 2026-12-27

Contract Duration: 591 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PAINTING AND STEEL REPAIRS TO THE RAILROAD BRIDGE, CAPE COD CANAL, BUZZARDS BAY, MA

Place of Performance

Location: BUZZARDS BAY, BARNSTABLE County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02532

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.7 million to ATLAS PAINTING AND SHEETING CORP. for work described as: PAINTING AND STEEL REPAIRS TO THE RAILROAD BRIDGE, CAPE COD CANAL, BUZZARDS BAY, MA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Atlas Painting and Sheeting Corp. for essential infrastructure maintenance. 2. The contract utilizes a firm fixed-price structure, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. Competition was robust, with 7 bidders vying for the work, suggesting a competitive market. 4. The project duration of 591 days indicates a significant scope of work. 5. Geographic focus on Massachusetts highlights regional infrastructure investment. 6. The contract falls under the Painting and Wall Covering Contractors NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $19.7 million for painting and steel repairs to a major railroad bridge appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While specific benchmarks for bridge repair contracts are not readily available, the firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns. The number of bidders (7) indicates a healthy level of competition, which typically drives more favorable pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with seven distinct bidders submitting proposals. This level of competition is a positive indicator, suggesting that the government sought out and received offers from a wide range of qualified contractors. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government is obtaining services at a competitive market rate.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a lower overall price than if it had been a sole-source or limited competition award. It demonstrates that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently by leveraging market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the users of the railroad bridge, ensuring continued safe and reliable transportation. The contract delivers essential maintenance services, including painting and steel repairs, to critical infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to Cape Cod Canal and Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The project will likely involve a workforce of skilled painters, steelworkers, and related trades in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for unforeseen structural issues during steel repair that could increase costs or extend timelines, despite fixed-price contract.
Weather-related delays are a common risk for large-scale exterior construction and repair projects, potentially impacting the schedule.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition with multiple bidders suggests a well-defined scope and competitive pricing.
The contract is for essential infrastructure maintenance, ensuring long-term asset preservation.

Sector Analysis

The painting and steel repair of major infrastructure like the Cape Cod Canal railroad bridge falls within the broader construction and maintenance services sector. This sector is characterized by specialized labor, material costs, and project management. The contract value of approximately $19.7 million is substantial and reflects the complexity and scale of maintaining critical transportation assets. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale bridge maintenance can vary widely based on location, structural complexity, and specific repair needs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Given the specialized nature and significant value of the work, it is possible that larger firms with the requisite expertise and bonding capacity were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities exist within the awarded contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Army, which has established oversight mechanisms for infrastructure projects. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor's performance and cost management. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award notices and reporting requirements. The Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
Department of Transportation Bridge Maintenance Programs
Federal Highway Administration Infrastructure Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen structural issues during steel repair.
Risk of weather-related delays impacting project schedule.
Dependency on specialized labor availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.7 million to ATLAS PAINTING AND SHEETING CORP.. PAINTING AND STEEL REPAIRS TO THE RAILROAD BRIDGE, CAPE COD CANAL, BUZZARDS BAY, MA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATLAS PAINTING AND SHEETING CORP..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-15. End: 2026-12-27.

What is the historical spending by the Department of Defense on bridge maintenance and repair contracts over the last five fiscal years?

Analyzing historical spending data for the Department of Defense (DoD) on bridge maintenance and repair reveals a consistent investment in critical infrastructure. While precise figures for 'bridge maintenance and repair' as a distinct category can be challenging to isolate due to varied procurement descriptions, aggregate data suggests billions are allocated annually across military branches for facility and infrastructure upkeep. For instance, in FY2023, the Army alone obligated over $X billion in construction and engineering services, a portion of which directly supports bridge infrastructure. The Navy and Air Force also contribute significantly through their respective base operations and facilities management contracts. Trends indicate a steady or increasing demand for such services, driven by aging infrastructure and the strategic importance of military installations. This specific $19.7 million contract for the Cape Cod Canal railroad bridge represents a significant, albeit localized, investment within this broader context of DoD infrastructure stewardship.

How does the awarded price of $19.7 million compare to similar bridge painting and steel repair contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $19.7 million contract for painting and steel repairs to the Cape Cod Canal railroad bridge against similar federal contracts requires careful consideration of project scope, scale, and complexity. Contracts for painting and structural steel repair on large bridges can vary significantly. For example, a contract for the Golden Gate Bridge rehabilitation might run into hundreds of millions, while repairs on smaller, less trafficked bridges would be considerably less. The firm fixed-price nature and the 591-day duration suggest a substantial undertaking. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable bridge repair contracts across all federal agencies, a precise per-square-foot or per-ton cost comparison is difficult. However, the number of bidders (7) suggests the market found the government's estimate and scope to be reasonable, implying the price is likely competitive within its specific context.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to evaluate the success of Atlas Painting and Sheeting Corp. on this contract?

The success of Atlas Painting and Sheeting Corp. on this contract will likely be evaluated through a combination of key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on quality, schedule adherence, safety, and cost control. Quality KPIs would include adherence to specified coating systems, surface preparation standards, and the absence of defects in steel repairs, often verified through rigorous inspections. Schedule adherence will be measured against the 591-day duration, with penalties or incentives potentially tied to meeting or exceeding milestones. Safety performance is paramount in construction; KPIs would track incident rates (e.g., OSHA recordable incidents) and compliance with safety protocols. Given the firm fixed-price nature, cost control is primarily the contractor's responsibility, but KPIs might relate to efficient resource utilization and minimizing change orders. The government's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will oversee these KPIs, ensuring the project meets all contractual requirements.

What is the track record of Atlas Painting and Sheeting Corp. in performing similar large-scale infrastructure repair and maintenance contracts?

Atlas Painting and Sheeting Corp.'s track record in performing large-scale infrastructure repair and maintenance contracts is a critical factor in assessing their capability for the Cape Cod Canal railroad bridge project. A review of their past performance, available through sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or contractor performance databases, would reveal their experience with similar projects, including bridge work, painting, and steel rehabilitation. Key aspects to examine include their history of on-time completion, adherence to budget (especially on fixed-price contracts), quality of work, safety record, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Understanding their past successes and challenges provides insight into their capacity to manage the complexities, risks, and technical requirements associated with this significant Department of Defense contract.

What are the potential risks associated with the steel repair component of this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The steel repair component of this contract presents several potential risks, primarily related to the discovery of unforeseen structural damage or corrosion beyond initial assessments. Mitigation strategies are crucial. Firstly, the contract's firm fixed-price structure places the financial risk of unexpected findings on Atlas Painting and Sheeting Corp., incentivizing thorough pre-award investigation and careful execution. Secondly, the government likely conducted extensive pre-award surveys and inspections to define the scope of known issues. However, contingency planning is essential; the contract may include provisions for addressing 'differing site conditions' or allow for change orders if significant, undocumented issues arise, though these would typically be subject to strict review and justification. Robust quality assurance and inspection protocols during the repair process are also key mitigation measures to ensure work is performed correctly and safely.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Finishing Contractors › Painting and Wall Covering Contractors

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W912WJ25B0001

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 465 CREEKSIDE DR, AMHERST, NY, 14228

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,690,000

Exercised Options: $19,690,000

Current Obligation: $19,690,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline