Forest Service Spends $162K on Survey Equipment from Vectors, Inc. via Sole Source Purchase Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $161,999 ($162.0K)

Contractor: Vectors, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2027-05-08

Contract Duration: 396 days

Daily Burn Rate: $409/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ACQUISITION OF SURVEY EQUIPMENT FOR NNMEZ TRANSPORTATION AND FACILITIES DESIGN PROJECTS.

Place of Performance

Location: AURORA, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80014

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $161,998.6 to VECTORS, INC. for work described as: ACQUISITION OF SURVEY EQUIPMENT FOR NNMEZ TRANSPORTATION AND FACILITIES DESIGN PROJECTS. Key points: 1. Spending focuses on survey equipment for transportation and facilities design. 2. Sole source award to Vectors, Inc. raises questions about competition. 3. Risk of overpayment due to limited price discovery. 4. IT/Technology sector, specifically navigation and guidance systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $161,998.60 for survey equipment appears high given the limited competition. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for comparable equipment is difficult without more detailed specifications, but the sole-source nature suggests potential for inflated pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Vectors, Inc., was solicited. This significantly limits price discovery and competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for the survey equipment, impacting taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Essential equipment for critical transportation and facilities projects. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award. Limited transparency on vendor selection and pricing justification. Impact on future infrastructure development if equipment is overpriced.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding.
Limited information on vendor qualifications and past performance.

Positive Signals

Acquisition of necessary equipment for important projects.
Fixed-price contract provides some cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the IT/Technology sector, specifically related to navigation and guidance systems. The benchmark for similar equipment can vary widely based on technical specifications and features, but the sole-source nature here is a key concern.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of efforts to subcontract with small businesses, which could represent a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source award warrants further oversight to ensure the price paid is fair and reasonable. Accountability for the justification of the sole-source procurement and the vendor's performance should be clearly established.

Related Government Programs

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for inflated pricing.
Lack of transparency in vendor selection.
No small business participation indicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $161,998.6 to VECTORS, INC.. ACQUISITION OF SURVEY EQUIPMENT FOR NNMEZ TRANSPORTATION AND FACILITIES DESIGN PROJECTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VECTORS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $161,998.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2027-05-08.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and was market research conducted to confirm no other vendors could meet the requirement?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical for ensuring fair and reasonable pricing. Without details on market research, it's difficult to assess if the Forest Service adequately explored competitive options. This lack of transparency raises concerns about whether the government obtained the best value and if alternative vendors were overlooked, potentially leading to higher costs.

How does the unit cost of this survey equipment compare to commercially available or previously procured similar items?

Benchmarking the unit cost is essential for assessing value. Given the sole-source nature, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Forest Service should have internal data or conduct external market research to validate the pricing against similar equipment acquired through competitive means or available in the commercial market to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

What are the specific performance metrics and deliverables for this survey equipment, and how will their successful completion be measured?

Understanding the specific performance metrics and deliverables is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of this acquisition. Clear, measurable criteria will allow the Forest Service to hold Vectors, Inc. accountable for delivering functional and accurate survey equipment that meets project needs. Without these, assessing the true value and impact of the spending is difficult.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10670 E BETHANY DR BLDG 4, AURORA, CO, 80014

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $161,999

Exercised Options: $161,999

Current Obligation: $161,999

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline