Agriculture awards $2.57M for badge encasements to R.L. Collinson, Inc. without competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,568 ($2.6K)

Contractor: R.L. Collinson, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-08-12

End Date: 2025-02-12

Contract Duration: 184 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BADGE ENCASEMENTS FOR RALEIGH, PHILADELPHIA, DES MOINES, DENVER, DALLAS, AND HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OFFICES UNDER CONTRACT 123A9422D0008

Place of Performance

Location: CROFTON, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21114

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2,568 to R.L. COLLINSON, INC for work described as: BADGE ENCASEMENTS FOR RALEIGH, PHILADELPHIA, DES MOINES, DENVER, DALLAS, AND HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OFFICES UNDER CONTRACT 123A9422D0008 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for badge encasements across multiple USDA offices. 2. R.L. Collinson, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 4. The period of performance is 184 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award amount of $2.57 million for badge encasements seems high given the short performance period and lack of competition. Benchmarking against similar contracts for fabricated metal products is difficult without more specific details on the encasements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, raising concerns about price discovery and whether the government received the best possible value. A sole-source award suggests a lack of market research or a specific justification for not seeking other offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding, potentially leading to inefficient use of federal funds.

Public Impact

Ensures identification security for USDA personnel in key locations. Supports a single contractor, R.L. Collinson, Inc. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High award amount for the scope
Short performance period

Positive Signals

Supports identified need for badge encasements
Clear awardee and contract type

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but large sole-source awards for seemingly simple items warrant scrutiny.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to R.L. Collinson, Inc., and there is no indication that small businesses were involved in the competition or subcontracting. The sole-source nature limits opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The lack of competition raises questions about the oversight process leading to this award. Further review is needed to understand why this was not competed and if adequate justification exists.

Related Government Programs

All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Food Safety and Inspection Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
High dollar value for short duration
Lack of transparency in award process
Potential for inflated pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2,568 to R.L. COLLINSON, INC. BADGE ENCASEMENTS FOR RALEIGH, PHILADELPHIA, DES MOINES, DENVER, DALLAS, AND HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OFFICES UNDER CONTRACT 123A9422D0008

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is R.L. COLLINSON, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Food Safety and Inspection Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,568.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-12. End: 2025-02-12.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. A sole-source award typically requires a specific justification, such as the existence of only one responsible source or a compelling urgency. Without this justification, it's unclear why competitive procedures were bypassed, potentially impacting value for money.

How does the $2.57 million award compare to market rates for similar badge encasements?

Benchmarking is difficult without detailed specifications of the badge encasements. However, the award amount for a 184-day contract, especially without competition, appears substantial. A competitive process would have provided a clearer market-based price assessment.

What is the risk of overpayment given the sole-source nature of this award?

The risk of overpayment is significant when a contract is not competed. Without competing offers, the government lacks a benchmark to ensure it is receiving fair and reasonable pricing. This sole-source award to R.L. Collinson, Inc. increases the likelihood that taxpayers are paying more than necessary.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2127 ESPEY CT STE 220, CROFTON, MD, 21114

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,568

Exercised Options: $2,568

Current Obligation: $2,568

Actual Outlays: $2,568

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 123A9422D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline