Interior Department awards $86.7K for vacuum excavators, exceeding benchmark by 12.4%

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $86,700 ($86.7K)

Contractor: Normont Equipment CO.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-06-12

Contract Duration: 70 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ND - VLY CITY NFH - VACUUM EXCAVATOR (BRAND NAME OR EQUAL)

Place of Performance

Location: GREAT FALLS, CASCADE County, MONTANA, 59404

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $86,700 to NORMONT EQUIPMENT CO. for work described as: ND - VLY CITY NFH - VACUUM EXCAVATOR (BRAND NAME OR EQUAL) Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair, with a slight overage compared to benchmark pricing. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy bidding environment with 6 offers received. 3. Risk indicators are low, given the small contract value and fixed-price nature. 4. Performance context is limited due to the early stage of the contract. 5. Sector positioning is within construction machinery manufacturing, a mature industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $86,700 for vacuum excavators is slightly above the benchmark of $77,071, representing a 12.4% difference. While not ideal, this overage is not excessive for a purchase order of this nature. The firm fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks. Further analysis would require understanding the specific model and features procured.

Cost Per Unit: $77,071 benchmark

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for broader competition for smaller dollar amounts. Six offers were received, indicating a reasonably competitive process. The SAP process aims to balance efficiency with fair opportunity for vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award suggests that taxpayers likely received a fair price, although the slight benchmark overage warrants attention.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will benefit from the acquisition of specialized construction equipment. Vacuum excavators are essential for environmental restoration and infrastructure maintenance projects. The equipment will likely be utilized in Montana, impacting local conservation efforts. The contract supports the manufacturing sector for construction machinery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher-than-benchmark pricing on specialized equipment.

Positive Signals

Competitive bidding process with multiple offers received.
Firm fixed-price contract limits cost escalation risks.
Simplified Acquisition Procedures promote broader vendor participation.

Sector Analysis

The construction machinery manufacturing sector is a mature industry with established players. This contract falls under the NAICS code 333120, encompassing the production of construction machinery. Spending in this category is generally driven by infrastructure development, maintenance, and specialized environmental projects. Benchmarks for similar equipment can vary significantly based on brand, features, and specific applications.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the small dollar value, it's possible small businesses participated in the competition, but their specific impact or set-aside status is not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded as a purchase order, which is a common method for acquiring goods and services under simplified acquisition thresholds. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Construction Machinery
Environmental Equipment
Department of the Interior Procurement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Operations

Risk Flags

Price slightly exceeds benchmark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $86,700 to NORMONT EQUIPMENT CO.. ND - VLY CITY NFH - VACUUM EXCAVATOR (BRAND NAME OR EQUAL)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORMONT EQUIPMENT CO..

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 $86,700.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-06-12.

What specific model or type of vacuum excavator was procured, and what features justify the price?

The provided data does not specify the exact model or brand of the vacuum excavator, only that it was competed as 'BRAND NAME OR EQUAL'. The benchmark price of $77,071 suggests a standard to mid-range industrial vacuum excavator. The 12.4% overage on the $86,700 award could be attributed to specific features required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, such as enhanced filtration for environmental sensitivity, specific tank capacities, or specialized attachments for delicate excavation work in sensitive habitats. Without detailed specifications, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact drivers of the price difference beyond general market fluctuations or vendor-specific pricing strategies.

How does the benchmark price of $77,071 compare to similar vacuum excavator purchases by federal agencies?

The benchmark price of $77,071 for a vacuum excavator appears to be within a reasonable range for industrial-grade equipment, though specific comparisons are difficult without knowing the exact specifications. Federal procurement data often shows significant price variations for similar equipment due to differing requirements, quantities, and contract vehicles. For instance, larger, more powerful units or those with specialized environmental controls could easily exceed $100,000. Conversely, smaller, less robust models might be available for under $50,000. The benchmark used here likely represents an average or target price for a unit suitable for general construction and maintenance tasks, as performed by agencies like the Department of the Interior.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for specialized equipment like vacuum excavators?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally preferred for their cost certainty. However, for specialized equipment, the primary risk lies with the contractor if the fixed price is set too low, potentially leading to the contractor cutting corners on quality or delivery to maintain profitability. For the government, the risk is that the fixed price might be set too high, resulting in overpayment if the contractor secures the equipment at a significantly lower cost than anticipated. In this case, the slight overage compared to the benchmark suggests the price might be fair, but the FFP structure means the government has limited recourse if the contractor achieves unexpectedly high profit margins. The short duration (70 days) and relatively low value mitigate some of these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for vacuum excavators by the Department of the Interior or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Historical spending data for vacuum excavators by the Department of the Interior or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is not provided in the current dataset. To assess historical patterns, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for similar contracts over the past several years. This would reveal trends in contract values, competition levels, and the frequency of such procurements. Understanding past spending would help determine if this $86,700 award is an anomaly, a consistent price point, or part of an increasing/decreasing trend in equipment acquisition costs for these agencies.

How does the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) impact competition and pricing for contracts of this size?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for purchases up to the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). For contracts like this one ($86,700), SAP aims to streamline the procurement process, making it faster and less burdensome than full-scale competitive bidding. It encourages broader participation by allowing for more flexible solicitation methods, such as requests for quotations (RFQs). Receiving six offers under SAP indicates that the procedure was effective in attracting multiple vendors. While SAP prioritizes efficiency, it still mandates fair opportunity and reasonable price competition, which appears to have been achieved here, albeit with a slight premium over the benchmark.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing › Construction Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT/MINE/EXCAVATE/HIGHWY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140FS226Q0066

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2101 9TH AVE NW, GREAT FALLS, MT, 59404

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $86,700

Exercised Options: $86,700

Current Obligation: $86,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline