Agriculture Department awards $1.28M for dry ice, with Berry's Arctic Ice securing the delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,844 ($12.8K)

Contractor: Berry's Arctic ICE, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-10-30

Contract Duration: 203 days

Daily Burn Rate: $63/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DRY ICE DELIVERIES

Place of Performance

Location: TOPEKA, SHAWNEE County, KANSAS, 66603

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $12,844 to BERRY'S ARCTIC ICE, L.L.C. for work described as: DRY ICE DELIVERIES Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the firm fixed-price contract and defined delivery period. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a single award under a streamlined process, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a short performance period and clear deliverables. 4. Performance context suggests a routine need for industrial gas supply. 5. Sector positioning places this within the industrial gas manufacturing and supply chain.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.28 million for dry ice deliveries over approximately six months appears within a reasonable range for such services. As a firm fixed-price contract, the government has locked in costs, mitigating budget uncertainty. Benchmarking against similar industrial gas supply contracts would provide a more precise value assessment, but the scope and duration suggest a standard market rate was likely applied.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it was likely solicited from a limited pool of pre-qualified vendors or through a streamlined process. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP is typically used for smaller procurements where full and open competition may not be feasible or cost-effective. This approach can lead to quicker awards but may not always yield the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition under SAP means taxpayers may not have benefited from the full range of potential price reductions that could arise from broader market engagement.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) programs requiring dry ice for preservation and transport. Services delivered include the reliable supply of dry ice to support critical APHIS operations. The geographic impact is centered in Kansas (KS), where the contractor is located and deliveries will likely originate. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the delivery personnel of Berry's Arctic Ice.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future solicitations due to limited competition history.
Dependence on a single supplier for a critical, albeit short-term, need.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Short performance period limits long-term exposure and risk.
Award to a specific company suggests established capability for this service.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the industrial gas manufacturing and distribution sector, specifically focusing on dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). The market for industrial gases is mature, with several large national suppliers and regional players. Contracts like this are common across various government agencies requiring temperature-controlled logistics or specialized preservation methods. Benchmarks for industrial gas supply vary significantly based on volume, purity, and delivery frequency.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for them based on the information provided. Berry's Arctic Ice, L.L.C. is likely a small business itself, but the contract's nature does not suggest a deliberate strategy to foster broader small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Standard contract administration procedures, including monitoring delivery schedules and product quality, would be in place. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed operational oversight specifics are internal.

Related Government Programs

Industrial Gas Supply Contracts
Cold Chain Logistics Services
Government Procurement of Consumables

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price optimization.
Dependence on a single supplier for a critical need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $12,844 to BERRY'S ARCTIC ICE, L.L.C.. DRY ICE DELIVERIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BERRY'S ARCTIC ICE, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12,844.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-10-30.

What is the track record of Berry's Arctic Ice, L.L.C. with federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, Berry's Arctic Ice, L.L.C. has secured this specific delivery order. Further analysis would require accessing historical federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to determine the company's full federal contracting history. This would include the number of previous awards, their values, the agencies involved, and performance ratings, if available. Understanding their past performance is crucial for assessing reliability and potential risks associated with this supplier.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for dry ice?

The provided data does not include specific pricing details per unit or volume, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. The total award of $1.28 million is for a defined period and quantity, but without a breakdown (e.g., price per pound or cubic foot), benchmarking is difficult. Generally, firm fixed-price contracts aim to align with market rates at the time of award. However, the limited competition under SAP might mean the price is not as optimized as it could be under a broader solicitation. A detailed market research report or analysis of similar recent awards would be necessary for a robust comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this dry ice delivery contract?

The primary risks are relatively low due to the contract's nature. Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions affecting Berry's Arctic Ice, leading to delivery delays. Quality control is another factor; ensuring the dry ice meets required specifications (e.g., purity, density) is important. Given the short duration (approx. 6 months) and firm fixed-price structure, financial risks for the government are minimal. Performance risk is also mitigated by the specific nature of the product and service required by APHIS.

How effective is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in managing its industrial gas supply needs?

The effectiveness of APHIS in managing its industrial gas supply needs through this specific contract cannot be fully determined from the data alone. The award to Berry's Arctic Ice suggests a successful procurement process for this instance. However, a comprehensive assessment would require evaluating APHIS's overall strategy for sourcing critical supplies, its inventory management practices, contingency planning for supply interruptions, and user satisfaction with the delivered product and service. Analyzing historical spending patterns and contract performance across multiple awards would provide better insights.

What are the historical spending patterns for dry ice or similar consumables by APHIS or the USDA?

The provided data focuses solely on this single contract award. To understand historical spending patterns for dry ice or similar consumables by APHIS or the broader USDA, extensive research into past federal procurement data is required. This would involve querying databases like FPDS or USAspending.gov for previous contracts related to industrial gases, cold chain logistics, or preservation materials awarded to APHIS and other USDA agencies. Analyzing trends in contract volume, value, and awarded vendors over several fiscal years would reveal spending patterns and potential shifts in procurement strategies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Basic Chemical Manufacturing › Industrial Gas Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 200 N KANSAS AVE, TOPEKA, KS, 66603

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,844

Exercised Options: $12,844

Current Obligation: $12,844

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12639526D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline