Interior Department awards $18.7K for irrigation pressure station repair at National Elk Refuge

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,680 ($18.7K)

Contractor: Rain Maker, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-07-28

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 291 days

Daily Burn Rate: $64/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WY-NATIONAL ELK REFUGE-IRRIGATION PRESSURE STATION REPAIR

Place of Performance

Location: TETON VILLAGE, TETON County, WYOMING, 83001

State: Wyoming Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $18,680.48 to RAIN MAKER, LLC for work described as: WY-NATIONAL ELK REFUGE-IRRIGATION PRESSURE STATION REPAIR Key points: 1. Contract awarded to RAIN MAKER, LLC for essential repairs. 2. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The award falls under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, indicating a streamlined process. 5. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the contracting agency. 6. Wyoming is the location of the work. 7. The contract duration is approximately 291 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $18,680.48 is modest, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. However, for a repair of an irrigation pressure station, this amount appears reasonable for specialized services. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and associated costs, aiming for cost certainty. Without specific details on the nature of the repairs, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the small scale and competitive award suggest a fair price was likely achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a broader outreach to potential vendors than micro-purchase thresholds but is less formal than full and open competition for larger contracts. The data indicates 6 bidders participated, suggesting a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition among 6 bidders for this contract indicates that taxpayers are likely benefiting from a competitive price, as multiple companies vied for the work. This process helps prevent overpayment and ensures that government funds are used efficiently for necessary repairs.

Public Impact

The National Elk Refuge in Wyoming will benefit from improved irrigation infrastructure. The repair of the irrigation pressure station ensures the continued proper functioning of water supply systems critical for wildlife habitat management. This contract supports the operational needs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in maintaining federal lands. The work is geographically located in Wyoming, potentially benefiting local or regional service providers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen issues arise during repair, though the fixed-price contract aims to mitigate this.
Dependence on the contractor's expertise for specialized irrigation system repairs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under competitive procedures (6 bidders), indicating market interest and potential for good pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for essential infrastructure repair, supporting the mission of the National Elk Refuge.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the 'Water Supply and Irrigation Systems' category (NAICS 221310). This sector involves the operation and maintenance of water supply and irrigation infrastructure. Spending in this area is crucial for managing natural resources, supporting agriculture, and maintaining ecological balance in protected areas like national refuges. The market for such services includes specialized engineering and maintenance firms capable of handling complex water systems.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this was a small business set-aside. However, given the small contract value and the competitive nature (6 bidders), it is plausible that small businesses were among the bidders and potentially the awardee. Further analysis would be needed to confirm the participation and impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officer and potentially program managers at the National Elk Refuge. As a purchase order under SAP, the oversight mechanisms might be less formal than for larger, more complex contracts, but accountability is still expected through performance monitoring and adherence to the contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

National Wildlife Refuge System Operations and Maintenance
Federal Water Infrastructure Projects
Bureau of Reclamation Irrigation Projects

Risk Flags

Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, potentially limiting the pool of bidders compared to full and open competition for larger contracts.
Lack of detailed performance history for the contractor provided in the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $18,680.48 to RAIN MAKER, LLC. WY-NATIONAL ELK REFUGE-IRRIGATION PRESSURE STATION REPAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAIN MAKER, 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 $18,680.48.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-28. End: 2026-05-15.

What is the specific nature of the irrigation pressure station repairs required at the National Elk Refuge?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the repairs needed for the irrigation pressure station. However, typical repairs in such systems can include replacing worn-out components like pressure regulators, valves, seals, or pumps, as well as addressing leaks in piping or control systems. The scope of work is defined by the government's requirements, and the firm fixed-price contract suggests these requirements were clearly delineated to ensure cost control. Understanding the specific issues would allow for a more precise assessment of the technical challenges and the contractor's suitability.

How does the $18,680.48 contract value compare to similar irrigation repair contracts for federal wildlife refuges?

The contract value of $18,680.48 is relatively small, typical for maintenance and repair tasks under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Comparing it directly to larger, multi-year infrastructure projects would be misleading. However, for a single-site, specific repair of an irrigation pressure station, this amount appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized services. Federal agencies often issue numerous smaller contracts for routine maintenance and repairs across their vast land holdings, rather than consolidating all work into fewer, larger contracts. This approach allows for targeted interventions and efficient resource allocation for specific needs.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract for RAIN MAKER, LLC and the Department of the Interior?

For RAIN MAKER, LLC, the primary risk lies in accurately estimating the repair costs within the fixed-price contract. If unforeseen complications arise during the repair (e.g., discovering additional damage, encountering difficult-to-access components), the contractor may incur costs exceeding the contract value. For the Department of the Interior, the main risk is that the repairs may not be completed to the required standard or within the specified timeframe, potentially impacting the irrigation system's functionality and the refuge's operations. However, the competitive bidding process and the fixed-price nature of the contract help mitigate the risk of cost overruns for the government.

What is the track record of RAIN MAKER, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

The provided data identifies RAIN MAKER, LLC as the contractor but does not include specific details about their past performance on federal contracts. A comprehensive assessment of the contractor's track record would require accessing historical contract databases (e.g., FPDS-NG) to review past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Without this information, it is difficult to definitively assess their experience and reliability in executing similar irrigation system repair work for federal agencies.

How does the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) impact the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this contract?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below the threshold for full and open competition (currently $250,000). For a contract valued at $18,680.48, using SAP significantly reduces administrative burden, documentation requirements, and the time needed to award the contract. This efficiency can lead to faster project initiation and completion. Furthermore, the requirement for competition among at least two responsible sources under SAP helps ensure fair and reasonable pricing, making it a cost-effective method for acquiring goods and services of this magnitude.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Water, Sewage and Other Systems › Water Supply and Irrigation Systems

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140FS225Q0128

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 398 W HWY 39, BLACKFOOT, ID, 83221

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,680

Exercised Options: $18,680

Current Obligation: $18,680

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline