Sole Source Contract for Construction Phase A-E services, Houston Ship Channel (HSC) Segment 3 at Spillman Island, Harris County, TX

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Division, Galveston District, has awarded a sole-source contract to HDR MN Galveston JV for Construction Phase Architect-Engineer services on Houston Ship Channel Segment 3 at Spillman Island, Harris County, Texas, with a contract value of $1,046,239.53.

The justification cites 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(2) for unusual and compelling urgency. HDR is the Designer of Record for the original bulkhead design and possesses irreplaceable knowledge critical to remediation following two slope failures in late 2025. The work includes comprehensive structural assessment of the existing bulkhead wall system, engineering design plans, specifications, construction cost estimates, project schedules, and supporting documentation for repair or rehabilitation, along with detailed design drawings, bidder inquiry responses, construction submittal reviews, RFI responses, design change execution, and site visit attendance. Period of performance is 270 calendar days. The contracting rationale emphasizes schedule risk and financial impact: the construction contractor McCarthy faces approximately $200,000 daily standby costs beyond mid-May if engineering services are delayed. The Corps evaluated alternatives—full and open competition, MATOC competition, and in-house government resources—and determined that any alternative would incur a 50+ workday delay, resulting in estimated costs exceeding $24.2 million. The contract is solicited under a $900 million Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) vehicle. Place of performance is Spillman Island, Harris County, Texas. Work is funded through Civil Works.