Agriculture Department awards $256K for gooseneck trailers, with 21 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,649 ($25.6K)

Contractor: Elite Quality Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 269 days

Daily Burn Rate: $95/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GOOSENECK TRAILER

Place of Performance

Location: PARLIER, FRESNO County, CALIFORNIA, 93648

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $25,648.85 to ELITE QUALITY GROUP LLC for work described as: GOOSENECK TRAILER Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable given the specialized nature of gooseneck trailers. 2. A high number of bids suggests robust market interest and potential for competitive pricing. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This purchase supports the Agricultural Research Service's operational needs. 5. The contract falls within the industrial machinery manufacturing sector. 6. The duration of the contract is approximately 8 months.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $256,488.50 for gooseneck trailers seems within a reasonable range for specialized equipment. Benchmarking against similar government procurements for trailers of this type would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but without detailed specifications, a definitive comparison to market rates is challenging. The number of bids received (21) indicates a healthy level of competition, which typically drives better pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition approach for a purchase below the threshold for formal advertising. The receipt of 21 bids suggests significant interest from potential suppliers, which is a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The high number of bidders generally leads to a more efficient market outcome.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this trailer purchase is beneficial for taxpayers, as it increases the likelihood of securing the best possible price and quality for the required equipment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the personnel within the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service who will utilize the trailers for operational and research support. The services delivered involve the provision of specialized gooseneck trailers essential for transporting equipment and materials. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the contract is being performed. There are potential workforce implications for the manufacturing and delivery of these trailers, supporting jobs in the industrial machinery sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for long-term maintenance costs not fully detailed in the award notice.
Dependence on a single supplier for potential future needs if not managed through broader contracts.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
High number of bidders suggests a competitive market and good price discovery.
Contract award is for a specific, necessary piece of equipment supporting agricultural research.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing sector. This sector is characterized by specialized equipment manufacturing for various industrial and agricultural applications. Government spending in this area typically supports operational needs for agencies involved in research, logistics, and infrastructure maintenance. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal awards for similar trailer types and quantities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not specify a small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is listed as ELITE QUALITY GROUP LLC, further investigation would be needed to determine if they are a small business or if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the performance of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a purchase order awarded by the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the agency. Transparency is provided through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Agricultural Equipment Procurement
Specialized Vehicle Acquisition
Research Support Equipment
Industrial Machinery Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unspecified maintenance costs.
Reliance on specific trailer model availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $25,648.85 to ELITE QUALITY GROUP LLC. GOOSENECK TRAILER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELITE QUALITY GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25,648.85.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific type and capacity of the gooseneck trailers being procured?

The provided data indicates the item is a 'GOOSENECK TRAILER' (d: 'GOOSENECK TRAILER'). However, specific details regarding its capacity (e.g., weight capacity, dimensions), material, intended use, or any specialized features are not included in the abbreviated data. Further details would typically be found in the contract's statement of work or specifications. Understanding these specifics is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment and comparison to market rates, as trailer capabilities significantly influence cost.

How does the awarded price compare to similar government contracts for gooseneck trailers?

Without access to a detailed database of comparable government contracts for gooseneck trailers with similar specifications and award dates, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the award of $256,488.50 for what is likely a fleet or a set of specialized trailers suggests a significant investment. The fact that 21 bids were received indicates a competitive environment, which generally pushes prices towards market norms. A thorough analysis would involve searching federal procurement databases for similar items awarded within the last 1-2 years, filtering by agency, type, and quantity, and then comparing unit prices or total contract values.

What are the key performance expectations and delivery timelines for these trailers?

The contract has an estimated start date of April 6, 2026, and an end date of December 31, 2026, giving a performance period of approximately 269 days (roughly 8-9 months). While the data specifies the contract type as 'FIRM FIXED PRICE' (pt: 'FIRM FIXED PRICE'), it does not detail specific performance metrics, quality standards, or delivery milestones beyond the overall period of performance. These details would typically be outlined in the contract's statement of work or delivery schedule, which are essential for assessing the contractor's ability to meet the agency's operational needs.

What is the track record of ELITE QUALITY GROUP LLC in fulfilling government contracts?

The provided data lists ELITE QUALITY GROUP LLC (co: 'ELITE QUALITY GROUP LLC') as the contractor. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their past performance on other government contracts. This would include examining contract values, types of goods/services provided, past performance ratings, any instances of contract disputes, and on-time delivery history. Without this external data, it's impossible to evaluate their reliability and experience.

Are there any specific risks associated with this procurement, such as supply chain issues or contractor performance?

Potential risks include standard supply chain vulnerabilities inherent in manufacturing and delivery, especially for specialized equipment. Contractor performance risk is present with any contract, though mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure and the competitive bidding process. The relatively short performance period (less than a year) might reduce long-term risks but emphasizes the need for timely delivery. Further risk assessment would require examining the contractor's past performance, the complexity of the trailers, and any specific clauses related to delays or quality defects in the full contract.

How does this spending align with the Agricultural Research Service's overall budget and mission priorities?

This $256,488.50 award represents a specific investment in operational assets for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). To understand its alignment with budget and mission priorities, one would need to analyze the ARS's annual budget justifications and strategic plans. This spending appears to support the agency's need for logistical capabilities to conduct research across various locations. Assessing its priority level would involve comparing it to other ARS expenditures and determining if these trailers are critical for ongoing or planned research activities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing › Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MOTOR VEHICLES, CYCLES, TRAILERS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1232SAQ0133

Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1114 HONDURAS ST, HOUMA, LA, 70360

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,649

Exercised Options: $25,649

Current Obligation: $25,649

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline