Interior Department awards $8,500 for drainpipe repair to Heart City Plumbing & Heating LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,500 ($8.5K)

Contractor: Heart City Plumbing & Heating LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-12-19

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 163 days

Daily Burn Rate: $52/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REPAIR DRAINPIPE

Place of Performance

Location: VALENTINE, CHERRY County, NEBRASKA, 69201

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $8,500 to HEART CITY PLUMBING & HEATING LLC for work described as: REPAIR DRAINPIPE Key points: 1. Spending on building repair is essential for facility maintenance. 2. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a localized need. 3. Lack of competition raises questions about potential overpricing. 4. The sector is commercial building construction, a common area for government spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $8,500 award for drainpipe repair appears to be within a reasonable range for such services. However, without specific details on the scope of work and location, a precise benchmark is difficult. The firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not competed, likely due to a limited number of vendors or a specific need. The absence of competition limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost than if multiple bids were solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the small contract value, but the lack of competition represents a missed opportunity for potential savings.

Public Impact

Ensures operational continuity of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service facilities. Supports local businesses through contract awards. Maintains infrastructure integrity, preventing further damage and cost.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 52 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for higher pricing due to no-bid award

Positive Signals

Essential infrastructure maintenance
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. Spending in this sector is common for government agencies requiring facility maintenance and repairs. Benchmarks vary widely based on the specific service and location.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Heart City Plumbing & Heating LLC. It is unclear if this vendor is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a purchase order, a common method for smaller procurements. Oversight would focus on ensuring the work performed meets the contract requirements and the price is fair.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for price inflation
Limited transparency on vendor selection criteria
Unclear small business impact

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $8,500 to HEART CITY PLUMBING & HEATING LLC. REPAIR DRAINPIPE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HEART CITY PLUMBING & HEATING LLC.

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 $8,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-19. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the specific scope of work for this drainpipe repair, and how does it justify a non-competed award?

The specific scope of work is not detailed in the provided data. A non-competed award might be justified if the repair was an emergency, required highly specialized skills only available from one vendor, or if the cost was below a certain threshold where competition is not mandated. Further investigation into the justification for not competing is warranted.

What is the risk of overpayment given the contract was not competed?

The risk of overpayment exists when a contract is not competed, as there is no market pressure to drive down prices. Without comparing bids from multiple vendors, it's difficult to ascertain if $8,500 is the most cost-effective price. The firm fixed-price nature mitigates risk related to cost overruns if the scope changes, but not necessarily the initial price.

How effectively does this contract contribute to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission?

This contract contributes to the mission by ensuring the proper functioning of facilities essential for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's operations. Maintaining infrastructure like drainpipes prevents potential damage, environmental issues, or disruptions that could hinder conservation efforts or public access to service lands.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

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: 230 S GOVERNMENT ST, VALENTINE, NE, 69201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,500

Exercised Options: $8,500

Current Obligation: $8,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline