DOI Awards $5.4M Fire Engine Striping Contract to Hook Echo Holdings, Sole Source

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,421 ($5.4K)

Contractor: Hook Echo Holdings

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-03-04

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 57 days

Daily Burn Rate: $95/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CA-SAN LUIS NWR CPLX-FIRE ENG STRIPING

Place of Performance

Location: MODESTO, STANISLAUS County, CALIFORNIA, 95351

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5,420.95 to HOOK ECHO HOLDINGS for work described as: CA-SAN LUIS NWR CPLX-FIRE ENG STRIPING Key points: 1. Contract value of $5.42 million for fire engine striping services. 2. Sole-source award to Hook Echo Holdings raises competition concerns. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Sector: Vehicle manufacturing and maintenance.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing cannot be assessed without competitive benchmarks. The sole-source nature of this award prevents comparison to market rates for similar striping services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was awarded sole-source, meaning no other vendors were solicited. This limits price discovery and may not secure the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may bear a higher cost due to the absence of competition, potentially funding a premium price.

Public Impact

Limited public visibility into the justification for a sole-source award. Potential for taxpayer funds to be used inefficiently without competitive pressure. Ensuring the quality and necessity of specialized striping services is crucial.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

Specific need for fire engine striping
Contract awarded to a single vendor

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the vehicle manufacturing and maintenance sector, specifically focusing on specialized striping for fire engines. Spending benchmarks for such niche services are difficult to establish without competitive data.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether Hook Echo Holdings is a small business. The sole-source nature of the award bypasses opportunities for small businesses to compete.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is needed to ensure the justification for the sole-source award is robust and that the pricing is fair, even without competition. Accountability for the expenditure rests with the Department of the Interior.

Related Government Programs

Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for inflated pricing.
Limited transparency in vendor selection.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5,420.95 to HOOK ECHO HOLDINGS. CA-SAN LUIS NWR CPLX-FIRE ENG STRIPING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HOOK ECHO HOLDINGS.

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 $5,420.95.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-04. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical. Agencies typically cite unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available sources. Without competition, the agency must independently verify the reasonableness of the price through market research or cost analysis to ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source contract for specialized vehicle striping?

The primary risks include potential overpricing due to the absence of competitive bids, limited innovation from a single provider, and a lack of transparency in the procurement process. There's also a risk that the government might not be getting the best available technology or service if other qualified vendors were not considered.

How does this sole-source award impact the overall effectiveness of federal spending in this niche sector?

Sole-source awards can reduce the overall effectiveness of federal spending by limiting competition, which is a key driver of efficiency and cost savings. While it may ensure a specific need is met, it bypasses the opportunity to discover potentially more cost-effective solutions or innovative approaches that competition could foster.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing › Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT › MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140FS326P0083

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1301 DOKER DR, MODESTO, CA, 95351

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,421

Exercised Options: $5,421

Current Obligation: $5,421

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline