Interior Department awards $98K tractor contract to GAITHERSBURG FARMERS SUPPLY, INC. for North Carolina wildlife refuge

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $98,458 ($98.5K)

Contractor: Gaithersburg Farmers Supply, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2027-04-02

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $270/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NC- MACKAY ISL NWR-AG TRACTOR

Place of Performance

Location: KNOTTS ISLAND, CURRITUCK County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27950

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $98,458.28 to GAITHERSBURG FARMERS SUPPLY, INC. for work described as: NC- MACKAY ISL NWR-AG TRACTOR Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a specialized agricultural vehicle. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Contract duration of one year aligns with typical equipment needs. 5. The award to a single vendor indicates a specific product requirement. 6. Focus on utility vehicle manufacturing aligns with operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $98,458.28 for a tractor is within a reasonable range for specialized agricultural equipment. Benchmarking against similar light truck and utility vehicle procurements, this price point suggests fair market value, especially considering potential customization or specific features required for wildlife management. The firm fixed-price structure further enhances value by locking in costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With three bidders participating, the competition level suggests a healthy market response for this type of equipment. This level of competition is generally conducive to price discovery and achieving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which aims to secure the best possible price for the required equipment, ensuring efficient use of federal funds.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will benefit from this contract by acquiring essential equipment for land management. The tractor will support maintenance and operational activities at the N.C. Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge. Geographic impact is localized to North Carolina, specifically the wildlife refuge. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the operation and maintenance of the new equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited vendor pool if specific technical requirements are highly specialized.
Dependence on a single supplier for this specific equipment could pose future supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
Award to an established supplier indicates a track record of meeting government needs.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the light truck and utility vehicle manufacturing sector, a segment of the broader industrial and manufacturing economy. Spending in this area is driven by the need for specialized vehicles across various government agencies for operational and maintenance purposes. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other agencies procuring similar agricultural or grounds maintenance equipment.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the procurement was focused on obtaining the most suitable equipment through open competition, without specific small business participation mandates. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the vendor to deliver the specified equipment within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are publicly reported.

Related Government Programs

Wildlife Refuge Operations Equipment
Agricultural Machinery Procurement
Federal Vehicle Fleet Management
Department of the Interior Equipment Purchases

Risk Flags

Potential for single-source dependency if future needs arise for this specific model.
Limited visibility into specific technical requirements without access to SOW.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $98,458.28 to GAITHERSBURG FARMERS SUPPLY, INC.. NC- MACKAY ISL NWR-AG TRACTOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GAITHERSBURG FARMERS SUPPLY, 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 $98,458.28.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2027-04-02.

What is the specific model or type of tractor being procured, and does it have unique features for wildlife management?

The provided data indicates the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 336112, which pertains to Light Truck and Utility Vehicle Manufacturing. While this code covers a broad range of vehicles, it suggests the tractor is likely a utility-focused model rather than a heavy-duty agricultural tractor. Specific features tailored for wildlife management, such as maneuverability in varied terrain, low ground pressure, or compatibility with specialized attachments for habitat restoration, would typically be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with the contract. Without access to these documents, it's not possible to confirm unique features beyond what is implied by the NAICS code and the agency's mission.

How does the awarded price compare to the average price for similar tractors purchased by the government or in the commercial market?

Benchmarking the awarded price of $98,458.28 requires comparing it to similar light trucks and utility vehicles, particularly those used for grounds maintenance or specialized operational tasks. Given the NAICS code 336112, the tractor is likely a utility vehicle. Commercial utility tractors can range significantly in price, from under $20,000 for basic models to over $100,000 for advanced, feature-rich units. Federal procurement data, if available for comparable items, would provide a more direct benchmark. However, considering the potential for specific government requirements and the firm fixed-price nature, the awarded amount appears to be within a reasonable range, suggesting fair market value was likely achieved through the competitive process.

What is GAITHERSBURG FARMERS SUPPLY, INC.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for similar equipment?

GAITHERSBURG FARMERS SUPPLY, INC. has been awarded this contract, indicating they are capable of meeting the government's requirements. To assess their track record, a review of their past federal contract awards would be necessary. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, their values, performance history, and any reported issues or successes. Without this specific historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess their broader track record. However, being a recipient of a federal contract, especially under full and open competition, suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and demonstrated capability to the awarding agency.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks for this contract include delivery delays, equipment malfunction, or the procured tractor not meeting the specific operational needs of the wildlife refuge. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure. The firm fixed-price (FFP) nature of the contract shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, GAITHERSBURG FARMERS SUPPLY, INC. Performance standards and delivery schedules outlined in the contract provide clear expectations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will likely conduct inspections upon delivery to ensure the tractor meets specifications. Furthermore, the contract likely includes clauses for remedies in case of non-performance or defects, protecting the government's investment.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for equipment at National Wildlife Refuges?

This contract represents a specific procurement for a tractor, a piece of essential equipment for maintaining refuge grounds and supporting various operational activities. Spending on equipment at National Wildlife Refuges is typically driven by maintenance needs, infrastructure upgrades, and the acquisition of specialized tools for habitat management and conservation efforts. Annual budgets allocated to refuges dictate the scale and frequency of such procurements. This $98,458.28 award for a tractor is likely one component of a larger equipment and maintenance budget. Historical spending data for the Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge or similar refuges would provide context on the typical investment in groundskeeping and operational vehicles.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Motor Vehicle Manufacturing › Light Truck and Utility Vehicle Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: TRACTORS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 700 E DIAMOND AVE, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20877

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $98,458

Exercised Options: $98,458

Current Obligation: $98,458

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMA20D08NA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline