Interior Department awards $23M contract for transportation equipment to Bison Trail Development LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,986 ($23.0K)

Contractor: Bison Trail Development LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 113 days

Daily Burn Rate: $203/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: UTV FOR TRUXTON CANON AGENCY

Place of Performance

Location: VALENTINE, MOHAVE County, ARIZONA, 86437

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $22,986.01 to BISON TRAIL DEVELOPMENT LLC for work described as: UTV FOR TRUXTON CANON AGENCY Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value. 2. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks. 3. Performance period is relatively short, limiting long-term exposure. 4. Contractor is a new entity with no prior federal award history. 5. The specific equipment type is not detailed, making direct benchmarking difficult. 6. Awarded to a single entity, further analysis needed on competition effectiveness.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $22.99 million for transportation equipment is substantial. Without specific details on the equipment type, it is challenging to benchmark against similar contracts or market rates. The fixed-price nature of the award is a positive indicator for cost control. However, the lack of historical data for the contractor, Bison Trail Development LLC, makes a thorough value assessment difficult at this stage. Further investigation into the pricing structure and the specific deliverables is recommended.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less extensive competition than full and open solicitations. While the data indicates 3 offers were received, the specific details of the competition, such as the number of bidders invited or the extent of outreach, are not fully detailed. This level of competition may not guarantee the most advantageous pricing for the government compared to a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may result in less aggressive pricing than a full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The contract is expected to benefit the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education by providing necessary transportation equipment. The specific services delivered are the manufacturing and delivery of transportation equipment. The geographic impact is primarily within Arizona, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are likely to be within the manufacturing sector, potentially creating or sustaining jobs at Bison Trail Development LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contractor has no prior federal award history, raising questions about performance reliability and experience.
Limited competition under SAP may not have yielded the best possible pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed equipment specifications makes it difficult to assess the true value and necessity of the purchase.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded using a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, which shifts risk to the contractor and provides cost certainty.
The contract was competed, indicating some level of market engagement and potential for value.
The performance period is relatively short (approx. 3 months), allowing for quicker evaluation of contractor performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing' sector, a niche within the broader manufacturing industry. The federal government is a significant purchaser of transportation equipment across various agencies for diverse operational needs. Benchmarking this specific award is difficult without knowing the exact type of equipment, but it represents a modest portion of overall federal spending on transportation assets.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This award to Bison Trail Development LLC, whose size status is not specified, does not appear to directly support the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program officials within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. As a purchase order under SAP, it may have less formal oversight than larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is limited by the information available through public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if fraud or waste is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fleet Management
Bureau of Indian Affairs Procurement
Bureau of Indian Education Procurement
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Contractor has no prior federal performance history.
Limited competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures.
Lack of specific equipment details hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $22,986.01 to BISON TRAIL DEVELOPMENT LLC. UTV FOR TRUXTON CANON AGENCY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BISON TRAIL DEVELOPMENT LLC.

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 $22,986.01.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the specific type of transportation equipment being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under the Product Service Code (PSC) '336999' and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code '336999 - All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing'. However, the specific type of transportation equipment is not detailed in the available information. This lack of specificity makes it challenging to assess the appropriateness of the price, compare it to market rates for similar items, or understand the exact operational need it fulfills for the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education.

What is the track record of Bison Trail Development LLC with federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, Bison Trail Development LLC has no prior federal award history. This is a significant factor in assessing the contractor's reliability and capability. While new entrants can be competitive, the absence of past performance information means the government has limited data to evaluate their ability to meet contract requirements, manage costs, and deliver on time. Future awards to this contractor will be crucial in building a performance record.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal procurements?

Direct price comparison is not feasible with the current data. The contract is for 'All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing' under a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) award. Without knowing the specific type, quantity, and specifications of the transportation equipment, it's impossible to benchmark against other federal contracts. The limited competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) also suggests that the pricing might not be as optimized as it could be under a full and open competition. A detailed review of the contractor's proposed pricing structure would be necessary for a more granular analysis.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract award?

The primary risks include the contractor's lack of federal performance history, which could lead to delivery delays, quality issues, or cost overruns despite the FFP structure. The limited competition under SAP might mean the government did not secure the most competitive pricing. Furthermore, the ambiguity surrounding the specific equipment procured makes it difficult to assess if the government is acquiring the most suitable or cost-effective solution for its needs. The short performance period could also indicate an urgent need, potentially leading to rushed processes.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar transportation equipment by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for similar transportation equipment by the Department of the Interior are not detailed in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, or other relevant Interior bureaus, for transportation equipment. This would involve looking at contract values, types of equipment, competition levels, and contractor performance over several fiscal years to identify trends, typical price points, and preferred vendors. Such analysis would provide context for the current $22.99 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing › All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MOTOR VEHICLES, CYCLES, TRAILERS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140A1126Q0021

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10 KELLY AVE STE 4, MIDDLEPORT, NY, 14105

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,986

Exercised Options: $22,986

Current Obligation: $22,986

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline