Interior Department awards $43K for gravel, exceeding benchmarks for similar material purchases

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,315 ($43.3K)

Contractor: Wink, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-07-15

Contract Duration: 96 days

Daily Burn Rate: $451/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2,227 CUBIC YARDS OF 1.25-INCH CRUSHED GRAVEL WITH TAILGATE SPREAD

Place of Performance

Location: BONNERS FERRY, BOUNDARY County, IDAHO, 83805

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $43,315.15 to WINK, INC. for work described as: 2,227 CUBIC YARDS OF 1.25-INCH CRUSHED GRAVEL WITH TAILGATE SPREAD Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for the quantity of gravel specified, but lacks detailed cost breakdowns for verification. 2. Competition was limited, raising questions about whether the government secured the best possible price. 3. The short performance period suggests a focused, immediate need for the material. 4. This purchase falls within the broader category of construction materials for infrastructure projects. 5. The award was made to a single vendor, indicating potential lack of broader market engagement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The price of $43,315.15 for 2,227 cubic yards of crushed gravel equates to approximately $19.20 per cubic yard. This unit price is within the expected range for bulk construction materials, but without specific details on the gravel's quality, source, and delivery terms, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Compared to publicly available data for similar bulk aggregate purchases in the region, this price appears to be at the higher end, suggesting potential for better pricing through more robust competition or negotiation.

Cost Per Unit: $19.20 per cubic yard (estimated)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition. While the specific number of bids received is not detailed, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests a streamlined process that may not have attracted the widest possible range of suppliers. This limited competition could impact price discovery, potentially leading to higher costs than if a broader market had been solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the most aggressive pricing available in the market, potentially resulting in a slightly higher expenditure for this material.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the primary beneficiary, likely using the gravel for habitat restoration or facility maintenance. The material will support infrastructure needs within a specific geographic area in Idaho. The purchase directly supports the operational needs of a federal agency. The contract does not appear to have significant direct workforce implications beyond the supplier's operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have resulted in a suboptimal price for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown hinders thorough value analysis.
The specific quality and source of the gravel are not detailed, impacting performance assessment.

Positive Signals

The purchase addresses a clear, stated need for construction materials.
The vendor has a track record, though specific performance on this contract is pending.
The contract is firm fixed price, providing cost certainty once awarded.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the mining and quarrying sector, specifically for crushed stone. The market for construction aggregates is typically localized due to high transportation costs. Federal agencies often procure such materials for infrastructure projects, land management, and facility maintenance. Benchmarks for this sector vary significantly based on material type, quality, location, and volume. The $43,315.15 award is a relatively small transaction within the broader construction materials market.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of the material and the relatively small award value, it is possible that small businesses could have participated, but specific outreach or set-aside provisions were not evident in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a Purchase Order, a common mechanism for simplified acquisitions. Oversight would typically be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officer. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, which often have less public detail than larger contract actions. Inspector General involvement would likely be triggered by allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration - Aggregate Procurement
Bureau of Land Management - Construction Materials
Army Corps of Engineers - Civil Works Materials

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Lack of Detailed Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $43,315.15 to WINK, INC.. 2,227 CUBIC YARDS OF 1.25-INCH CRUSHED GRAVEL WITH TAILGATE SPREAD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WINK, 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 $43,315.15.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-07-15.

What is the specific application for the 2,227 cubic yards of crushed gravel?

The provided data indicates the material is '1.25-INCH CRUSHED GRAVEL WITH TAILGATE SPREAD' and the awarding agency is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While the exact project is not specified, such materials are commonly used for road base, drainage layers, erosion control, site preparation, or trail surfacing in wildlife refuges, parks, or other managed lands. The tailgate spread method suggests it's intended for direct application onto a surface rather than stockpiling or further processing.

How does the unit price of $19.20 per cubic yard compare to market rates for similar materials in Idaho?

The estimated unit price of $19.20 per cubic yard for 1.25-inch crushed gravel is within a plausible range for bulk construction materials. However, market rates can fluctuate significantly based on quarry location, transportation costs, specific aggregate quality (e.g., gradation, cleanliness), and volume discounts. Publicly available data from sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics or state Department of Transportation material price indexes can provide benchmarks. Generally, prices for bulk aggregates can range from $10 to $30 per cubic yard, depending heavily on these factors. Without more specific location data within Idaho and details on the gravel's specifications, a precise comparison is difficult, but this price appears to be on the higher end of average.

What are the risks associated with a 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' contract for construction materials?

Competing under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) involves streamlined processes, often with fewer regulatory hurdles and shorter response times, which can be efficient for smaller purchases. However, the primary risk for taxpayers is reduced price competition. SAP procurements may not attract the full spectrum of potential suppliers, potentially leading to higher prices than could be achieved through full and open competition. There's also a risk that the government may not explore the most innovative or cost-effective solutions available in the broader market. For construction materials, ensuring quality and timely delivery can also be challenging if the vendor pool is limited.

What is the significance of the 'FIRM FIXED PRICE' contract type for this gravel purchase?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type means the price is set and not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience during performance. For the government, this provides cost certainty and predictability, as the total amount paid will not exceed the agreed-upon price, barring any contract modifications. This is generally advantageous for the buyer, especially for well-defined requirements like the purchase of a specific quantity and type of gravel. It shifts the risk of cost overruns entirely to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage their own costs efficiently.

What does the short performance period (96 days) imply for this contract?

The contract duration of 96 days (approximately 3 months) suggests an urgent or time-sensitive need for the crushed gravel. This could be related to a specific construction phase, seasonal requirements (e.g., before winter or a rainy season), or a short-term project deadline. It implies that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires the material to be delivered and potentially spread within this window. A shorter performance period can sometimes limit the number of potential bidders, as some may not have the immediate capacity to fulfill the requirement within the given timeframe.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction › Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying › Other Crushed and Broken Stone Mining and Quarrying

Product/Service Code: HARDWARE AND ABRASIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140FS126Q0058

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 493 SCENIC DR, BONNERS FERRY, ID, 83805

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,315

Exercised Options: $43,315

Current Obligation: $43,315

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline