Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs awards $56.5K fence repair contract to Buffalo Fence Co. Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,650 ($5.7K)

Contractor: Buffalo Fence CO Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $63/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REPAIR FENCE FOR BIA, WESTERN NAVAJO AGENCY, TRANSPORTATION YARD

Place of Performance

Location: TUBA CITY, COCONINO County, ARIZONA, 86045

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5,650 to BUFFALO FENCE CO INC for work described as: REPAIR FENCE FOR BIA, WESTERN NAVAJO AGENCY, TRANSPORTATION YARD Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized trade work. 2. Limited competition due to sole-source award. 3. Risk indicators include short performance period and potential for price creep if scope expands. 4. Performance context is a single fence repair task. 5. Sector positioning is within specialty trade contracting for government facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $56,500 for fence repair seems within a reasonable range for specialized trade services, especially considering potential material and labor costs for a government facility. However, without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., length of fence, materials required, complexity of repair), a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. The fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty, but the absence of competitive bidding limits the ability to benchmark against market rates and ensure optimal value for taxpayer dollars.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Buffalo Fence Co. Inc., was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need), they generally lead to less price discovery and potentially higher costs for the government compared to fully competed contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the lowest possible price for this fence repair service, as there was no incentive for multiple companies to bid competitively.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Navajo Agency, which will receive the repaired fence. The service delivered is the repair of existing fencing at a transportation yard. The geographic impact is localized to the Western Navajo Agency in Arizona. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small crew from Buffalo Fence Co. Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential value.
Short performance period (90 days) may not allow for thorough vetting or contingency planning.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the awarded scope.
Contract is for a specific, defined task (fence repair).

Sector Analysis

The specialty trade contractors sector encompasses a wide range of services, including construction, repair, and maintenance. Government agencies frequently contract with these firms for facility upkeep and infrastructure projects. While the overall market size for specialty trades is substantial, this specific contract represents a small expenditure within that sector. Benchmarking this particular fence repair against broader construction or maintenance spending is difficult due to its niche nature.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned. Buffalo Fence Co. Inc.'s size is not specified, but the contract value is relatively small, suggesting it could potentially be handled by a small business. The lack of set-aside or subcontracting clauses means there is no direct mechanism to ensure small business participation or benefit from this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Indian Affairs' contracting and program management officials. As a purchase order, it is a less formal instrument than a large contract, but standard procurement regulations and agency policies would apply. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the absence of a public bidding process. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Facility Maintenance
Department of the Interior Construction and Repair Contracts
Specialty Trade Services Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Limited scope definition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5,650 to BUFFALO FENCE CO INC. REPAIR FENCE FOR BIA, WESTERN NAVAJO AGENCY, TRANSPORTATION YARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BUFFALO FENCE CO INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,650.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the specific scope of work for the fence repair, and what materials are involved?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'REPAIR FENCE FOR BIA, WESTERN NAVAJO AGENCY, TRANSPORTATION YARD'. However, specific details regarding the length of the fence to be repaired, the nature of the damage (e.g., wear and tear, storm damage), the type of fencing material, and the extent of the repair work (e.g., partial replacement, reinforcement, gate repair) are not available in the provided data. This lack of detail makes it challenging to fully assess the value and appropriateness of the $56,500 award.

What is Buffalo Fence Co. Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly with the Department of the Interior?

Information regarding Buffalo Fence Co. Inc.'s specific track record with the federal government, including past performance with the Department of the Interior or the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is not provided in the data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes on previous federal awards. Without this context, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and experience for this specific fence repair task.

How does the $56,500 price compare to similar fence repair contracts awarded by the government or in the private sector?

Directly comparing the $56,500 price is difficult without a detailed scope of work and specific location. However, fence repair costs can vary significantly based on factors like fence length, material (wood, chain-link, vinyl, wrought iron), height, terrain, labor rates in the specific geographic area (Arizona), and the complexity of the repair. Given this is a sole-source award, it's harder to establish a competitive market price. A benchmark would ideally involve comparing it to other government purchase orders or contracts for similar fence repairs in the Southwest region, considering the specific type and extent of work required.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of service?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of price competition, which can lead to the government paying a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid. It also reduces transparency in the procurement process. Other risks include potential limitations in vendor expertise or capacity if the chosen vendor is not the most qualified or if unforeseen issues arise that require additional services beyond the initial scope. Without competitive vetting, there's also a reduced assurance of receiving the best value and quality available in the market.

What is the historical spending pattern for fence repair or similar maintenance services at the BIA Western Navajo Agency?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for fence repair or similar maintenance services at the BIA Western Navajo Agency. To assess this contract's context, one would need to analyze past expenditures for facility maintenance, construction, and repair at this specific agency or similar Bureau of Indian Affairs locations. Understanding historical spending could reveal trends in contract values, frequency of such awards, and whether this $56,500 repair is consistent with previous investments or represents an outlier.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Specialty Trade Contractors › All Other Specialty Trade Contractors

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5820 N US HIGHWAY 89, FLAGSTAFF, AZ, 86004

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,650

Exercised Options: $5,650

Current Obligation: $5,650

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline