Commerce Awards $120K for Urgent Snow Removal Services in Maine Amidst Blackout Period
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $120,628 ($120.6K)
Contractor: Thirsty Turf Irrigation Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2023-10-18
End Date: 2027-05-17
Contract Duration: 1,307 days
Daily Burn Rate: $92/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: 142010-24-0040 URGENT SNOW REMOVAL BLACK OUT PERIOD PROCEDURES USED. ORIGINALLY STARTED AND SOLICITED UNDER CAWARD PR #NW-WN9938-23-00293 WAS NOT AWARDED PRIOR TO PRISM BUT DURING OCTOBER 2023 BLACKOUT PERIOD. PO #1305M324P999 WAS GIVEN BY CLIENT SER
Place of Performance
Location: GRAY, CUMBERLAND County, MAINE, 04039
State: Maine Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $120,628.41 to THIRSTY TURF IRRIGATION INC for work described as: 142010-24-0040 URGENT SNOW REMOVAL BLACK OUT PERIOD PROCEDURES USED. ORIGINALLY STARTED AND SOLICITED UNDER CAWARD PR #NW-WN9938-23-00293 WAS NOT AWARDED PRIOR TO PRISM BUT DURING OCTOBER 2023 BLACKOUT PERIOD. PO #1305M324P999 WAS GIVEN BY CLIENT SER Key points: 1. The contract was awarded during an "October 2023 blackout period," raising questions about procurement transparency. 2. The service is for "Urgent Snow Removal Black Out Period Procedures," suggesting a critical and time-sensitive need. 3. The awardee, THIRSTY TURF IRRIGATION INC, is unusual for snow removal, potentially indicating limited specialized competition. 4. The contract duration extends to May 2027, with a total value of $120,628.41. 5. The procurement was initially solicited under a different number (CAWARD PR #NW-WN9938-23-00293) but awarded as a Purchase Order.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The per-unit cost is not directly calculable from the provided data. The total award of $120,628.41 over approximately 3.5 years seems reasonable for urgent snow removal services, but without specific service details or benchmarks for this type of emergency service, a definitive pricing assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was "COMPETED UNDER SAP" (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and awarded as a Purchase Order. The unusual awardee for snow removal suggests that competition may have been limited, potentially to vendors already on contract or with specific emergency capabilities. The blackout period award further complicates the assessment of price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact appears to be moderate, with $120,628.41 allocated for essential snow removal services. However, the circumstances of the award warrant scrutiny to ensure the best value was obtained.
Public Impact
Ensures operational continuity for NOAA facilities in Maine during severe winter weather. Addresses potential safety hazards and disruptions caused by snow and ice. Supports critical government functions by maintaining access to facilities. Highlights the need for robust emergency procurement procedures, even during restricted periods.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Award during blackout period
- Unusual vendor for service type
- Procurement initiated under different number
Positive Signals
- Addresses urgent need for snow removal
- Ensures facility accessibility
Sector Analysis
The "Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings" sector covers a wide range of facility maintenance. For snow removal, spending can fluctuate significantly based on geographic location and severity of winters. Benchmarks are difficult without specific service scope, but emergency services often command a premium.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. The awardee, THIRSTY TURF IRRIGATION INC, is not identified as a small business in the provided information.
Oversight & Accountability
The award during a blackout period and the unusual vendor for the service type suggest a need for enhanced oversight to ensure compliance with procurement regulations and to verify that the competition, though limited, was adequate and resulted in fair pricing.
Related Government Programs
- Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Awarded during a procurement blackout period.
- Awardee's name suggests a non-specialized vendor for snow removal.
- Procurement initiated under a different solicitation number.
- Limited competition likely due to SAP and urgency.
- Potential for non-competitive pricing due to urgency and blackout period.
Tags
other-services-to-buildings-and-dwelling, department-of-commerce, me, purchase-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $120,628.41 to THIRSTY TURF IRRIGATION INC. 142010-24-0040 URGENT SNOW REMOVAL BLACK OUT PERIOD PROCEDURES USED. ORIGINALLY STARTED AND SOLICITED UNDER CAWARD PR #NW-WN9938-23-00293 WAS NOT AWARDED PRIOR TO PRISM BUT DURING OCTOBER 2023 BLACKOUT PERIOD. PO #1305M324P999 WAS GIVEN BY CLIENT SER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THIRSTY TURF IRRIGATION INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $120,628.41.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-18. End: 2027-05-17.
What specific procedures were required during the "black out period" that necessitated this urgent snow removal contract?
The term "black out period procedures" likely refers to specific protocols or restrictions in place during a designated time, possibly related to system updates, fiscal year-end activities, or other administrative constraints that limit new contract awards. The urgency implies that normal snow removal operations were insufficient or that access to facilities was critically threatened, requiring immediate action despite these procedural limitations.
How did the "black out period" and the use of SAP affect the price discovery and overall value for the government?
Procurement during a blackout period, especially under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), can potentially limit the pool of eligible bidders and the time available for thorough price analysis. This may lead to less competitive pricing than a fully open and unrestricted solicitation. The urgency might also necessitate accepting higher costs to ensure immediate service delivery, potentially impacting the overall value obtained by the government.
Given the vendor's name (THIRSTY TURF IRRIGATION INC), what is the justification for their selection for snow removal services?
The selection of an irrigation company for snow removal suggests either a pre-existing contract vehicle that allowed for diverse services, or that THIRSTY TURF IRRIGATION INC possesses specific equipment or capabilities relevant to emergency snow removal, perhaps through subcontracting or diversification. Without further details, it's difficult to ascertain the precise justification, but it raises questions about whether more specialized snow removal contractors were considered or available.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: NWWN99382300123
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 15 EASTERN DR, GORHAM, ME, 04038
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $158,763
Exercised Options: $120,628
Current Obligation: $120,628
Actual Outlays: $74,300
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-18
Current End Date: 2027-05-17
Potential End Date: 2028-05-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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