Interior Department awards $45.1M law enforcement assistance contract to Vieques, Puerto Rico

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,131 ($45.1K)

Contractor: Vieques, Municipality of

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2031-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,818 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PR-VIEQUES NWR LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANC

Place of Performance

Location: VIEQUES, VIEQUES County, PUERTO RICO, 00765

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $45,130.8 to VIEQUES, MUNICIPALITY OF for work described as: PR-VIEQUES NWR LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANC Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 2. Long contract duration of nearly 15 years suggests a need for sustained services. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the lack of competition may limit price discovery. 4. Awarded to a municipal entity, potentially indicating a unique local partnership or limited market. 5. The contract supports law enforcement assistance, a critical function for public safety and resource protection. 6. Geographic focus on Vieques, Puerto Rico, highlights specific regional needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $45.1 million over approximately 15 years averages around $3 million annually. Without comparable contracts or detailed service descriptions, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The lack of competition is a significant concern, as it prevents market forces from driving down prices. The fixed-price nature offers some cost certainty, but the absence of competitive bidding means the government may not be securing the best possible price.

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. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service likely determined that only one source was capable of fulfilling the requirement. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which could lead to higher costs for taxpayers and limit opportunities for other potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price reductions typically achieved through competitive bidding. This can result in overpayment for services.

Public Impact

Residents and visitors in Vieques, Puerto Rico, will benefit from enhanced law enforcement and public safety services. The contract ensures the provision of critical law enforcement assistance, likely supporting the protection of natural resources and public order within the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. The geographic impact is concentrated in Vieques, Puerto Rico, addressing specific local needs. The contract may have implications for local employment within Vieques, depending on how the awarded entity staffs the services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 30 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about fair pricing and potential overspending.
Sole-source award limits transparency and opportunities for other qualified vendors.
Long contract duration could lead to complacency or reduced urgency in service delivery if not properly managed.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
Awarding to a local entity could foster community relationships and understanding of local needs.
Focus on law enforcement assistance addresses essential public safety and resource protection requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the government services sector, specifically focusing on public safety and law enforcement support. The market for such services can vary widely, from large private security firms to specialized government agencies or local municipal services. The value of $45.1 million over nearly 15 years is moderate for a long-term government service contract, but its sole-source nature makes direct comparison to market rates challenging.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this was not a small business set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Given the sole-source nature and the award to a municipal entity, it is unlikely that small businesses will be significantly involved as subcontractors unless specifically mandated by the primary awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the awarding agency. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract terms and conditions. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Law Enforcement Contracts
Public Safety Services
National Wildlife Refuge Support
Puerto Rico Government Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition.
Long contract duration requires robust performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $45,130.8 to VIEQUES, MUNICIPALITY OF. PR-VIEQUES NWR LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VIEQUES, MUNICIPALITY OF.

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 $45,130.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2031-03-31.

What specific law enforcement services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific law enforcement services. However, given the context of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, these services likely include patrolling refuge lands and waters, enforcing regulations related to wildlife and environmental protection, responding to incidents, and potentially assisting with visitor safety and management. The contract's focus on 'law enforcement assistance' suggests a supportive role rather than primary policing authority.

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

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from a determination that only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. For this contract, potential reasons could include the unique geographic location of Vieques, the specific expertise required for law enforcement in a sensitive ecological area like the National Wildlife Refuge, or a pre-existing partnership or capability held by the municipal entity in Vieques that cannot be replicated by other entities. Without a formal justification document, the exact reason remains speculative.

What is the historical spending on similar law enforcement assistance contracts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Information on historical spending for similar contracts is not available in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for contracts awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for law enforcement assistance, particularly in or near protected natural areas. Analyzing past awards, their values, durations, and competition levels would provide context for the current $45.1 million sole-source award.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to the operational budget of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge?

The provided data does not include the operational budget of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. The contract value is approximately $3 million per year ($45.1 million / ~15 years). To compare this, one would need to obtain the refuge's annual budget information from the Department of the Interior or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This comparison would help determine the relative significance of the law enforcement assistance cost to the overall refuge operations.

What are the performance metrics and oversight mechanisms for this contract?

Specific performance metrics and detailed oversight mechanisms are not included in the provided summary data. Typically, such contracts would outline key performance indicators (KPIs) related to response times, incident resolution, patrol coverage, and adherence to regulations. Oversight would be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who would monitor performance, approve invoices, and ensure compliance with contract terms. Formal reviews and reporting requirements would also be part of the oversight structure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support › Executive and Legislative Offices, Combined

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140FS326C0005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 449 CALLE CARLOS LE BRUM, VIEQUES, PR, 00765

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $225,803

Exercised Options: $45,131

Current Obligation: $45,131

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline