Interior awards $475K for outdoor signs, with 7 bidders competing for the 6-month contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,550 ($47.5K)

Contractor: Voss Signs LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 182 days

Daily Burn Rate: $261/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OUTDOOR SIGNS - USFWS DIV OF POLICY & PRGMS - VA

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22041

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $47,550 to VOSS SIGNS LLC for work described as: OUTDOOR SIGNS - USFWS DIV OF POLICY & PRGMS - VA Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable given the scope and duration. 2. Strong competition suggests fair market pricing was likely achieved. 3. No immediate red flags identified in the contract award details. 4. This award supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's operational needs. 5. The contract falls within the 'Other' sector due to its specific nature. 6. The firm-fixed-price structure transfers risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $475,500 for outdoor signs over 182 days (approximately $2,612 per day) seems within a reasonable range for custom signage projects. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for signage is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work (e.g., size, materials, complexity of designs). However, the competitive nature of the award suggests that the pricing achieved is likely aligned with market rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition for this dollar amount. With seven bidders participating, the level of competition is robust. This suggests that multiple vendors were aware of and interested in the requirement, which typically drives competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently, as vendors had to offer competitive prices to win the contract.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will benefit from updated or new outdoor signage. Services delivered include the manufacturing and potentially installation of outdoor signs. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contract is managed. This contract supports the signage manufacturing industry, potentially involving skilled labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if installation is more complex than anticipated.
Quality control of signage materials and durability over time.
Timeliness of delivery and installation to meet USFWS operational needs.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost risk for the government.
Multiple bidders indicate a healthy market for this service.
Clear delivery and performance periods defined in the contract.

Sector Analysis

The signage manufacturing industry is diverse, ranging from small local shops to large industrial producers. Government contracts for signage are common across various agencies for facility identification, wayfinding, and regulatory information. This contract, valued at $475,500, falls into the mid-range for a specific project, likely involving custom-designed and durable outdoor signage suitable for federal facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks are highly variable based on the specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under SAP, and there is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside. While VOSS SIGNS LLC's size status is not provided, the competition among seven bidders suggests that both small and large businesses could have participated. Future analysis could explore subcontracting opportunities for small businesses if VOSS SIGNS LLC is a larger entity.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officer and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award places the onus on the contractor to deliver according to specifications. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, and any specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the agency's internal policies and potential findings of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Federal Signage Procurement
USFWS Facility Management
Department of the Interior Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for delivery delays impacting operational needs.
Ensuring long-term durability and quality of signage materials.
Compliance with accessibility standards (e.g., ADA) if not explicitly detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $47,550 to VOSS SIGNS LLC. OUTDOOR SIGNS - USFWS DIV OF POLICY & PRGMS - VA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VOSS SIGNS LLC.

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 $47,550.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the typical track record of VOSS SIGNS LLC with federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that VOSS SIGNS LLC has received multiple awards, primarily as a subcontractor, and a few prime contracts. The value and scope of these prior awards would need to be examined to assess their relevance to this current contract. Understanding their performance history, including on-time delivery, quality of work, and any past disputes or contract modifications, is crucial for evaluating their reliability as a prime contractor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Without specific details on past performance ratings or any corrective actions, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record beyond the fact they have secured federal work.

How does the awarded price compare to similar government signage contracts?

Direct comparison of the awarded price ($475,500) to similar government signage contracts is challenging without detailed specifications of the signage required (e.g., size, materials, durability, installation complexity, quantity). However, the contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures with seven bidders, suggesting a competitive market price was likely achieved. Generally, government contracts for signage can range from a few thousand dollars for simple directional signs to hundreds of thousands for large, complex, and durable installations at federal facilities. The price per day ($2,612) provides a rough metric, but the actual value is tied to the specific deliverables.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays in delivery and installation, which could impact the operational needs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Quality control is another risk; ensuring the signage meets durability standards for outdoor use and adheres to any specific branding or regulatory requirements is critical. Given the firm-fixed-price structure, the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns due to unforeseen issues in manufacturing or installation. Finally, ensuring the signage is compliant with accessibility standards (e.g., ADA) is a potential risk if not explicitly addressed in the scope of work.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The competition level, with seven bidders, is generally considered effective in ensuring value for taxpayers in this procurement. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing as companies vie for the contract. This scenario allows the government to select the offer that provides the best balance of price and technical merit. The Simplified Acquisition Procedures under which this was competed are designed for procurements of this size, aiming to balance efficiency with adequate competition. The robust bidding process suggests that the government is likely to receive fair market value for the signage services.

What is the historical spending pattern for outdoor signage by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for outdoor signage by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) would require a broader data query across multiple fiscal years. This single award of $475,500 represents a specific project need. Without access to comprehensive historical data, it's difficult to establish a trend or benchmark. However, agencies like USFWS typically procure signage periodically for new facilities, renovations, or replacements. The frequency and value of such procurements can fluctuate based on budget allocations, infrastructure projects, and specific program requirements. This award appears to be a standard procurement rather than indicative of a significant surge or decline in overall signage spending.

Are there any potential issues with the contract duration and performance period?

The contract duration is 182 days, with a performance period from April 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026. This timeframe seems reasonable for the manufacturing and potential installation of outdoor signage, especially under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The key is whether this period allows sufficient time for design finalization, production, quality checks, and delivery without causing operational delays for the USFWS. If the signage is critical for a specific event or facility opening, the timeline would be crucial. However, for general operational signage, this duration appears adequate, assuming no complex logistical challenges.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › Sign Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MISCELLANEOUS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140FS326Q0041

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 112 FAIRGROUNDS DR, MANLIUS, NY, 13104

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,550

Exercised Options: $47,550

Current Obligation: $47,550

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline