Gate repair contract awarded to Automated Gate Services, Inc. for $6,445.06 at Lake Woodruff NWR

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,445 ($6.4K)

Contractor: Automated Gate Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-07-11

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 112 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FL-LAKE WOODRUFF NWR-GATE REPAIR

Place of Performance

Location: DE LEON SPRINGS, VOLUSIA County, FLORIDA, 32130

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $6,445.06 to AUTOMATED GATE SERVICES, INC. for work described as: FL-LAKE WOODRUFF NWR-GATE REPAIR Key points: 1. Contract value appears to be relatively low, suggesting a minor repair or maintenance task. 2. The award was made on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost savings from competition. 3. The short performance period (approx. 3.5 months) indicates a time-sensitive need for the repair. 4. The contract falls under the 'Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors' NAICS code. 5. The fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor for cost overruns.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6,445.06 is modest. Without comparable gate repair contracts for similar facilities or specific details on the scope of work, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the price appears reasonable for a localized repair. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This suggests that either only one vendor was capable of performing the required service, or the agency determined that competition was not practicable or in the government's best interest. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore a wider range of pricing and service options.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to competitively bid contracts, as there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and visitors to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, who will benefit from a functional gate. The service delivered is the repair of a gate, likely for security or access control purposes. The geographic impact is localized to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. There are no significant workforce implications associated with this small contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than a competitive award.
Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source award without further documentation.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Modest contract value suggests a focused and manageable scope of work.
Contract awarded to a specialized vendor (Automated Gate Services, Inc.) likely ensures technical expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction and maintenance services sector, specifically related to electrical contracting and facility upkeep. The market for gate repair and access control systems is diverse, ranging from small local businesses to larger national providers. The government frequently procures such services for its numerous facilities, with spending varying widely based on the scale and complexity of the infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities given its small value and specialized nature. The award to Automated Gate Services, Inc. does not provide specific insight into their size or small business status without further investigation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's contracting and financial management divisions. Given the small dollar amount, it is unlikely to be a primary focus for the Inspector General unless specific issues arise. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

National Wildlife Refuge System Operations and Maintenance
Federal Facility Maintenance and Repair
Access Control Systems Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
Limited data on contractor's past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $6,445.06 to AUTOMATED GATE SERVICES, INC.. FL-LAKE WOODRUFF NWR-GATE REPAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AUTOMATED GATE SERVICES, 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 $6,445.06.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-11. End: 2025-10-31.

What is the specific nature of the gate repair required?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the gate repair. However, given the contractor's name, 'Automated Gate Services, Inc.', and the NAICS code 'Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors', it is highly probable that the repair involves the electrical or automated components of a gate system. This could include issues with motors, sensors, control panels, wiring, or power supply. The specific problem would dictate the complexity and cost of the repair.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The data indicates the contract was awarded on a 'NOT COMPETED' basis, which is synonymous with a sole-source award in this context. The specific justification for this sole-source award is not provided in the data. Common reasons for sole-source awards include: only one vendor possessing the unique capability or proprietary technology required, an emergency situation where competition is not feasible, or when the government determines that competition is not in its best interest due to factors like limited market size or high acquisition costs relative to the contract value. Further documentation from the awarding agency would be needed to understand the precise rationale.

How does the contract value compare to similar gate repair services?

A direct comparison of the $6,445.06 contract value to similar gate repair services is challenging without more specific information on the scope of work and the type of gate system. However, for a single gate repair, especially if it involves specialized automated components, this value appears to be within a reasonable range for a localized service call and necessary parts. Larger projects involving multiple gates, extensive overhauls, or new installations would naturally command significantly higher contract values.

What is the track record of Automated Gate Services, Inc. with federal contracts?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of Automated Gate Services, Inc. with federal contracts. To assess their past performance, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG to review their award history, contract values, agencies served, and any performance reviews or past performance questionnaires. This would provide insight into their reliability, quality of work, and experience with government projects.

What are the potential risks associated with this sole-source contract?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the potential for paying a higher price than would have been achieved through a competitive bidding process. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to minimize costs. Additionally, there's a risk that the chosen vendor may not be the most qualified or offer the best value if alternatives were not adequately explored. The lack of transparency inherent in sole-source justifications can also obscure potential risks related to contractor capability or pricing.

What is the expected impact on the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge operations?

The expected impact on Lake Đấy Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge operations is positive, assuming the gate repair is successful. A functional gate is crucial for maintaining security, controlling access for staff and authorized personnel, and potentially managing visitor entry or wildlife management activities. Failure of the gate could compromise security, hinder operations, or disrupt visitor access. This contract aims to prevent or rectify such disruptions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140FS325P0170

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 526 PRINCELAND CT, CORONA, CA, 92879

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,445

Exercised Options: $6,445

Current Obligation: $6,445

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline