Corps’ corrective action reaffirms permanent pumps contract

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District has affirmed its decision to award a contract to the joint venture PCCP Constructors for construction of the Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps at the London Ave., Orleans Ave., and 17th Street outfall canals.  

The PCCP Constructors Joint Venture is comprised of Kiewit Louisiana Co., Traylor Bros. Inc., and the M.R. Pittman group, LLC.  The contract award has been modified from $629,500,000 to $614,755,700 million.  This value is based on PCCP Constructors’ revised proposal received during the corrective action procedures. 

 The initial awarding of this contract in September 2012 was protested by two of the final phase competitors.  Upon review of the protests, the Corps undertook a voluntary corrective action to address the issues brought forward.  At no time during the corrective action did the Corps’ basis for evaluation change.  Upon completion of its review and evaluation, the Corps confirmed that its contracting decision to award the contract to PCCP Constructors was fair and in compliance with all federal regulations.

The Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps, commonly known as the Permanent Pumps, will provide permanent and more sustainable measure for reducing the risk of a 100-year level storm surge entering the three outfall canals.  This risk reduction is currently being provided by interim closure structures.

The interim closure structures will continue to provide 100-year levels of storm surge risk reduction until the permanent pumps are constructed and operational.  Since their construction in 2006, these temporary structures have performed as designed in five named tropical weather events, most recently during Hurricane Isaac.