USDA awards $17.5K for frozen food freight services to TW Logistics, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,526 ($17.5K)

Contractor: TW Logistics, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-05-16

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 15 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: /4300014892/FREIGHT REEFER - 45' CONTAINER-FROZEN-0F

Place of Performance

Location: WAILUKU, MAUI County, HAWAII, 96793

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $17,525.73 to TW LOGISTICS, LLC for work described as: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: /4300014892/FREIGHT REEFER - 45' CONTAINER-FROZEN-0F Key points: 1. Contract awarded to TW Logistics, LLC for specialized frozen food transport. 2. Competition method: Full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a specific need. 3. Risk: Potential for higher costs due to limited initial source exclusion. 4. Sector: Transportation and logistics services are critical for food supply chains.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17,525.73 for 15 days of service appears reasonable for specialized reefer container transport. Benchmarking against similar deep-sea freight contracts is difficult without more specific route and volume data.

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.' This implies that while the competition was broad, specific sources may have been initially considered or excluded, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The direct taxpayer impact is limited to the $17,525.73 awarded for essential food donation support services.

Public Impact

Ensures timely delivery of frozen food donations to recipients. Supports USDA's mission to reduce food waste and combat hunger. Maintains the integrity of donated food through temperature-controlled transport.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited detail on the 'exclusion of sources' could mask prior relationships or specific capabilities.
Short contract duration (15 days) may indicate a pilot or urgent need, requiring future procurement.
No small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Utilizes specialized reefer containers for frozen goods.
Supports a critical government function: food donation logistics.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the transportation and logistics sector, specifically focusing on cold chain management for food products. Spending benchmarks for specialized freight like this vary significantly based on route, duration, and container type.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific award, as the 'sb' field is false. Future contracts of this nature should explore opportunities for small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service. Oversight would involve ensuring timely delivery, proper handling of frozen goods, and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Deep Sea Freight Transportation
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Marketing Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential lack of transparency in source exclusion.
Short contract duration may lead to future inefficiencies.
No small business participation noted.
Limited data for robust cost comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $17,525.73 to TW LOGISTICS, LLC. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: /4300014892/FREIGHT REEFER - 45' CONTAINER-FROZEN-0F

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TW LOGISTICS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Marketing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,525.73.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-16. End: 2026-05-31.

What was the specific reason for excluding certain sources prior to the full and open competition, and did this impact the final price?

The exclusion of sources prior to full and open competition suggests a potential need for specialized capabilities or prior relationships. Without further documentation, it's unclear if this exclusion influenced the final price. However, it warrants scrutiny to ensure fair market value was obtained and that the exclusion was justified and transparent.

What are the risks associated with the short 15-day duration and the potential need for repeat services?

The short 15-day duration poses a risk of service disruption if the need is ongoing, potentially leading to emergency procurements at higher costs. It also limits the ability to establish long-term, cost-saving relationships with providers. Future planning should consider longer-term contracts or task orders to ensure consistent and efficient support.

How effectively does this contract support the USDA's food donation and waste reduction goals?

This contract directly supports USDA's goals by ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of frozen food donations. Maintaining the cold chain is crucial for food safety and quality, thereby maximizing the utility of donated food and minimizing waste. The service is essential for bridging the gap between donation and distribution.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation › Deep Sea Freight Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ALTERNATIVE SOURCES

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 S ANDERSON AVE, COMPTON, CA, 90220

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,526

Exercised Options: $17,526

Current Obligation: $17,526

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline