Interior Department awards $6.2M purchase order for automotive repair to Price Ford of Turlock, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,201 ($6.2K)

Contractor: Price Ford of Turlock, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-03

Contract Duration: 1 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CA-SAN LUIS NWR CPLX-GAOA REPAIR I582690

Place of Performance

Location: TURLOCK, STANISLAUS County, CALIFORNIA, 95382

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $6,201.18 to PRICE FORD OF TURLOCK, INC for work described as: CA-SAN LUIS NWR CPLX-GAOA REPAIR I582690 Key points: 1. The contract was awarded as a purchase order, indicating a relatively straightforward acquisition. 2. The duration of the contract is very short (1 day), suggesting a need for immediate or very specific service. 3. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 811111 points to general automotive repair services. 4. The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically applies to purchases below $250,000. 5. The award is a Firm Fixed Price contract, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 6. The contractor, Price Ford of Turlock, Inc., is located in California, the same state as the agency's region.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total award amount is $6.2 million for a single day of service, which appears exceptionally high for general automotive repair. Without further details on the scope of work, it is difficult to benchmark this cost. Typically, automotive repair contracts of this magnitude would involve extensive fleet maintenance or specialized vehicle services over a longer period. The short duration coupled with the high price raises concerns about potential overpayment or a misunderstanding of the service provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was awarded as a 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This designation is unusual as it does not clearly indicate the procurement method. If the contract was above the SAP threshold, it should have been competed. If it was below, the 'not competed' status needs further clarification. The lack of competition information makes it impossible to assess if fair market prices were obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of transparency regarding the competition process for a contract of this value means taxpayers cannot be assured that the government received the best possible price.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from this contract by ensuring its vehicle fleet is operational. General automotive repair services are delivered, crucial for maintaining the agency's logistical capabilities. The geographic impact is localized to California, where the contractor is based and likely where the services will be rendered. There are no immediate workforce implications indicated by this specific contract award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The exceptionally high value for a single-day automotive repair service is a significant concern.
The unclear competition method for a contract of this size warrants scrutiny.
The short contract duration for such a large sum suggests potential inefficiencies or a misrepresentation of the service scope.

Positive Signals

The award is to a specific business, Price Ford of Turlock, Inc., indicating a direct engagement.
The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which provides cost certainty for the government once the price is agreed upon.

Sector Analysis

The automotive repair sector is a mature industry providing essential maintenance and repair services for vehicles. Federal agencies rely on this sector to maintain their operational fleets. While many small businesses operate within this space, large dealerships like Ford also play a significant role. The value of this specific contract appears disproportionately high for standard automotive repair, suggesting it might encompass specialized services or a large volume of work not typical for a single day.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. The award to a Ford dealership does not inherently exclude small business participation in subcontracting, but no specific provisions for it are detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's contracting officers and potentially the Department of the Interior's Inspector General, depending on the nature of any suspected irregularities. The transparency of the procurement process is limited due to the unclear competition details.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Fleet Management
Department of Defense Vehicle Maintenance Contracts
National Park Service Vehicle Repair

Risk Flags

High contract value for short duration
Unclear competition method
Potential overvaluation of services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $6,201.18 to PRICE FORD OF TURLOCK, INC. CA-SAN LUIS NWR CPLX-GAOA REPAIR I582690

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRICE FORD OF TURLOCK, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,201.18.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-03.

What specific automotive repair services were rendered for the $6.2 million award?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'General Automotive Repair' (NAICS 811111) awarded to Price Ford of Turlock, Inc. However, the scope of work for the $6.2 million purchase order, which is only for one day (2026-04-02 to 2026-04-03), is not detailed. Given the extremely high value for a single day of general automotive repair, it is highly probable that the services involved were highly specialized, extensive fleet overhauls, or perhaps a misunderstanding in the data entry for the award amount or duration. Without a detailed statement of work, it is impossible to justify this expenditure for typical automotive repair.

Why was this contract not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

The contract is designated as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are typically used for purchases below $250,000. An award of $6.2 million is significantly above this threshold. This designation suggests either the contract was intended to be competed using full and open procedures but was somehow exempted, or there is a misunderstanding in how the contract was classified. If it was indeed below the SAP threshold, the award amount is extraordinarily high. If it was above, the lack of competition is a major concern that requires justification under specific procurement regulations, such as sole-sourcing due to unique capabilities or an emergency.

What is the typical cost for general automotive repair services for a federal agency of this size?

Benchmarking the cost of general automotive repair for a federal agency is complex as it depends heavily on the size and type of the vehicle fleet, the geographic location, and the specific services required. However, a $6.2 million award for a single day of 'General Automotive Repair' is astronomically high compared to industry standards. Routine maintenance, oil changes, tire rotations, and minor repairs typically cost hundreds or a few thousand dollars per vehicle. Even extensive overhauls for multiple vehicles would not usually reach such figures within a one-day timeframe. This suggests the reported value may be erroneous or represent a highly unusual, specialized service.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source or non-competed contract of this magnitude?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source or non-competed contract of this magnitude ($6.2 million) are inflated pricing and a lack of innovation. When competition is absent, contractors have less incentive to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to the government paying more than necessary. Furthermore, the government misses out on potential solutions or efficiencies that other qualified contractors might offer. For this specific contract, the risk is amplified by the unclear procurement method and the exceptionally high value for the stated service, raising concerns about fairness, waste, and potential impropriety.

Does the contractor, Price Ford of Turlock, Inc., have a track record with similar large federal contracts?

Based solely on the provided data, it is not possible to determine Price Ford of Turlock, Inc.'s track record with similar large federal contracts. The data only shows this specific $6.2 million purchase order. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing historical contract databases to review their past performance, contract values, and types of services rendered to federal agencies. Without this broader context, it's difficult to assess if this award is an anomaly or part of a pattern.

What oversight mechanisms are in place for this specific contract?

Oversight for this contract would primarily be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's contracting officer and potentially their program managers responsible for fleet management. They would be responsible for ensuring the services rendered align with the contract's (albeit unspecified) scope and that the contractor meets their obligations. For significant financial awards, especially those with unusual characteristics like this one, the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General (OIG) may also conduct audits or investigations to ensure proper use of funds and compliance with procurement regulations. Transparency is key, and the lack of clear competition details hinders effective oversight.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Automotive Repair and Maintenance › General Automotive Repair

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5200 N GOLDEN STATE BLVD, TURLOCK, CA, 95382

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,201

Exercised Options: $6,201

Current Obligation: $6,201

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline