USDA Contract Awarded for Vessel Loading Observation of Food Donations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $565,650 ($565.6K)
Contractor: Cotecna Inspection Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-04-01
Sector: Other
Official Description: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000007608/4400001264/4300014891/VESSEL LOADING OBSERVATION-INT
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $565,650 to COTECNA INSPECTION INC for work described as: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000007608/4400001264/4300014891/VESSEL LOADING OBSERVATION-INT Key points: 1. Contract value is approximately $565,650. 2. COTECNA INSPECTION INC secured the award. 3. The contract supports USG food donation services. 4. Risk of service disruption is low given the delivery order type.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $565,650 appears reasonable for specialized inspection services. Further analysis would be needed to compare this to industry benchmarks for similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The award type is a Delivery Order, which typically falls under a larger indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. The specific contracting method for the parent IDIQ is not detailed here.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used to ensure the efficient and accurate handling of food donations.
Public Impact
Ensures proper handling and observation of food donations. Supports the logistical chain for food aid programs. Contributes to the integrity of federal food assistance initiatives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if initial observations reveal unforeseen complexities.
- Dependence on COTECNA INSPECTION INC for critical observation services.
Positive Signals
- Clear objective for vessel loading observation.
- Defined performance period from October 2025 to April 2026.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader category of logistics and inspection services supporting federal supply chain operations, specifically related to agricultural products and food aid.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if this was a small business set-aside. Further investigation into the parent contract would be required.
Oversight & Accountability
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) within USDA is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for delivery orders would apply, including performance monitoring and payment verification.
Related Government Programs
- Support Services for USG Food Donations
- Vessel Loading Observation
Risk Flags
- Contract Type: Delivery Order
- Vendor: COTECNA INSPECTION INC
Tags
usda, food-donations, inspection-services, logistics, agricultural-marketing-service, delivery-order, cotecna-inspection-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $565,650 to COTECNA INSPECTION INC. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000007608/4400001264/4300014891/VESSEL LOADING OBSERVATION-INT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COTECNA INSPECTION INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Marketing Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $565,650.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-04-01.
Analysis insight 1
The contract's primary function is to provide oversight during the loading of food onto vessels, ensuring compliance with federal standards.
Analysis insight 2
The duration of the contract suggests a focused period of support rather than an ongoing, long-term requirement.
Analysis insight 3
Understanding the specific metrics for 'observation' will be key to evaluating performance.