USDA awards $8.04M contract for radiological waste disposal services to Bionomics, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,045 ($8.0K)

Contractor: Bionomics, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 177 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE USDA ETSARC REQUIRES A QUALIFIED VENDOR WITH THE CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY TO PROVIDE DISPOSAL SERVICES OF MIXED RADIOLOGICAL AND RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED MATERIAL FOR THE USDA ETSARC FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL RE

Place of Performance

Location: FARGO, CASS County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58102

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $8,045 to BIONOMICS, INC. for work described as: THE USDA ETSARC REQUIRES A QUALIFIED VENDOR WITH THE CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY TO PROVIDE DISPOSAL SERVICES OF MIXED RADIOLOGICAL AND RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED MATERIAL FOR THE USDA ETSARC FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL RE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical hazardous waste disposal, ensuring regulatory compliance. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially competitive bidding process for specialized services. 3. Performance period is relatively short, suggesting a focused scope of work. 4. The contract falls under the Hazardous Waste Collection NAICS code, a niche but essential service. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 6. Geographic focus on North Dakota for facility operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.04 million for a 5-month period appears reasonable for specialized radiological waste disposal. Benchmarking against similar contracts for hazardous material handling and disposal is necessary for a definitive value assessment. Given the specialized nature of the service, pricing is likely influenced by stringent safety protocols and disposal requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process among qualified vendors. While the exact number of bids received is not detailed, SAP typically aims for fair competition for procurements below certain thresholds. This method allows for a broader range of potential bidders compared to sole-source awards.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to non-competitive methods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility in North Dakota, which requires these disposal services. Services delivered include the safe and compliant disposal of mixed radiological and radioactive contaminated material. The geographic impact is localized to the USDA ETSARC facility in North Dakota. The contract supports specialized environmental services, potentially involving a skilled workforce in hazardous material handling.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short performance period may necessitate rapid mobilization and execution.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical disposal services requires robust oversight.
Potential for unforeseen complications in handling mixed radiological and radioactive waste.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Competition under SAP suggests a market-driven price.
Award to a single vendor implies specialized capability and capacity.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the environmental services sector, specifically focusing on hazardous and radioactive waste management. This is a highly regulated and specialized niche within the broader waste management industry. The market size for such services is driven by government and industrial facilities generating such waste, with significant barriers to entry due to regulatory compliance and safety requirements.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. Given the specialized nature of radiological waste disposal, it is possible that larger, specialized firms are more likely to be awarded such contracts. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service contracting officers and technical representatives. The firm fixed price contract and defined performance period provide a framework for accountability. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific operational oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Department of Energy Hazardous Waste Management
Environmental Protection Agency Waste Disposal Contracts
Defense Logistics Agency Hazardous Materials Management

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental non-compliance
Risk of contractor performance issues
Safety hazards associated with radioactive materials
Short contract duration requires rapid execution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $8,045 to BIONOMICS, INC.. THE USDA ETSARC REQUIRES A QUALIFIED VENDOR WITH THE CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY TO PROVIDE DISPOSAL SERVICES OF MIXED RADIOLOGICAL AND RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED MATERIAL FOR THE USDA ETSARC FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL RE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIONOMICS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8,045.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Bionomics, Inc. in handling radiological and radioactive waste disposal for federal agencies?

A comprehensive review of Bionomics, Inc.'s past performance is crucial to assess their suitability for this contract. This would involve examining their history with similar federal contracts, particularly those involving radiological and radioactive materials. Key areas to investigate include their safety record, compliance history with environmental regulations (EPA, NRC, state-specific), past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any instances of contract disputes or penalties. Understanding their experience with mixed waste streams, as specified in the contract, is particularly important. Without specific past performance data, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record, but the award suggests they met the initial qualification criteria.

How does the $8.04 million contract value compare to similar radiological waste disposal contracts?

Benchmarking the $8.04 million contract value requires comparing it against similar procurements for radiological and radioactive waste disposal services. Factors influencing cost include the volume and type of waste, the required disposal methods (e.g., incineration, landfill, specialized treatment), transportation logistics, regulatory compliance costs, and the duration of the contract. A 5-month contract for specialized disposal services at this value suggests a significant scope or high per-unit disposal costs due to the hazardous nature of the materials. A detailed analysis would involve identifying comparable contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) for similar services, considering the specific waste characteristics and service requirements.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract revolve around the safe and compliant handling and disposal of mixed radiological and radioactive contaminated material. Potential risks include environmental contamination incidents, non-compliance with stringent federal and state regulations, transportation accidents, and contractor performance failures. Mitigation strategies likely include rigorous contractor vetting, adherence to strict safety protocols and emergency response plans, comprehensive insurance requirements, and close government oversight by the USDA. The firm fixed price contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and risks effectively to maintain profitability. The short duration may also mitigate long-term performance risks but increases the importance of immediate operational readiness.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized services like hazardous waste disposal?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for acquisitions below certain dollar thresholds (currently $250,000, though specific agency policies may vary). For specialized services like hazardous waste disposal, if the contract value falls within SAP limits, it can facilitate competition by reducing administrative burdens. However, the effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing depends on the number of qualified vendors in the market and the specific solicitation strategy used. While SAP encourages competition, it may not always achieve the same level of price discovery as full and open competition for larger, more complex contracts. The USDA's use of SAP here suggests they believe it is an appropriate method for this procurement, likely balancing efficiency with the need for multiple bids.

What is the historical spending pattern for radiological waste disposal services by the USDA Agricultural Research Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for radiological waste disposal by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is essential for context. This would involve examining previous contracts awarded for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding whether this $8.04 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending can provide insights into the agency's needs and budget allocation for waste management. It would also reveal if Bionomics, Inc. has been a previous recipient of such contracts. Without historical data, it's challenging to assess if this award is typical or an outlier, but it highlights the ongoing requirement for these specialized services within ARS facilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Collection › Hazardous Waste Collection

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1232SA26Q0337

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1550 BEAR CREEK RD, OAK RIDGE, TN, 37830

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,045

Exercised Options: $8,045

Current Obligation: $8,045

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline