Interior Department awards $229K contract for off-range corral to ZIMMETAL AND WELDING, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,291,172 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Zimmetal and Welding, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-06-10

End Date: 2024-12-13

Contract Duration: 186 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WHEATLAND OFF RANGE CORRAL

Place of Performance

Location: VERDIGRE, KNOX County, NEBRASKA, 68783

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.3 million to ZIMMETAL AND WELDING, LLC for work described as: WHEATLAND OFF RANGE CORRAL Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for support activities related to animal production, specifically an off-range corral. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The contract duration is 186 days, indicating a short-term need. 5. The award amount is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 6. The contractor, ZIMMETAL AND WELDING, LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting based on available data.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $229,117 is modest for a federal procurement. Without specific details on the scope of work for the 'WHEATLAND OFF RANGE CORRAL', it is difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to manage costs. The pricing will be considered fair if the delivered corral meets all specifications and is completed within the allocated budget and timeframe.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value. The open competition suggests that the agency sought a competitive market for the required services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing and the assurance that the government sought the most advantageous offer through an open process.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will benefit from the new off-range corral, likely for managing wild horses or other livestock. The services delivered include the construction or provision of a corral facility. The geographic impact is localized to the area where the corral is established, likely in Nebraska given the state code. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team for construction or installation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited track record for the contractor ZIMMETAL AND WELDING, LLC in federal contracting.
Scope of work for 'WHEATLAND OFF RANGE CORRAL' is not detailed, making it hard to assess value.
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during construction, despite fixed-price contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps control government spending.
Contract duration is relatively short, suggesting a focused and manageable project.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Support Activities for Animal Production' sector, which can include a range of services from veterinary care to facility construction and maintenance. Federal spending in this area is often tied to land management agencies like the Bureau of Land Management, which manage large animal populations. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the type and scale of the corral.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The contractor, ZIMMETAL AND WELDING, LLC, is likely a small business given its recent entry into federal contracting, but this specific award was not a set-aside. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem is likely negligible for this single, relatively small contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of the specified corral. Transparency is provided through federal procurement databases where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Wild Horse and Burro Management Program
Livestock Management Contracts
Range Improvement Projects
Federal Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Contractor Performance Risk
Scope Definition Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.3 million to ZIMMETAL AND WELDING, LLC. WHEATLAND OFF RANGE CORRAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ZIMMETAL AND WELDING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-10. End: 2024-12-13.

What is the specific scope of work for the 'WHEATLAND OFF RANGE CORRAL' and what are the key performance metrics?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for the 'WHEATLAND OFF RANGE CORRAL'. Typically, such a contract would involve the design, construction, or installation of a facility to hold livestock, likely wild horses or burros, that have been removed from public rangelands. Key performance metrics would likely include adherence to design specifications, structural integrity, safety features for both animals and handlers, and timely completion within the 186-day period. Without the full contract statement of work, a precise assessment of performance expectations is not possible.

What is the track record of ZIMMETAL AND WELDING, LLC with the Department of the Interior or other federal agencies?

Based on the provided data, ZIMMETAL AND WELDING, LLC appears to be a relatively new entrant into federal contracting. The data does not indicate prior awards or extensive performance history with the Department of the Interior or other federal agencies. This limited track record suggests that the agency may have relied on the company's proposed approach and potentially its bonding and financial capacity to ensure successful performance. Future contracts may depend on the successful completion and performance on this initial award.

How does the $229,117 contract value compare to similar federal contracts for livestock corrals?

Benchmarking the $229,117 contract value against similar federal contracts for livestock corrals is challenging without more specific details on the size, materials, and complexity of the 'WHEATLAND OFF RANGE CORRAL'. Federal contracts for animal holding facilities can range significantly in price, from tens of thousands for smaller, temporary structures to millions for large-scale, permanent facilities. Given the firm fixed-price nature and the 186-day duration, this award appears to be for a moderately sized or specialized corral. Further analysis would require comparing it to contracts with similar specifications and geographic locations.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, given the contractor's limited federal contracting history?

The primary risk associated with this contract stems from the contractor's limited federal contracting history. This could translate to potential challenges in understanding and complying with federal acquisition regulations, reporting requirements, and performance expectations. There's also a risk of underestimation of project complexity or costs, which could lead to delays or quality issues, despite the firm fixed-price structure. The government's mitigation strategy likely involved thorough vetting during the full and open competition process, potentially requiring detailed proposals and evidence of capability.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Support Activities for Animal Production' by the Bureau of Land Management?

Historical spending patterns for 'Support Activities for Animal Production' by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are generally substantial, driven by its mandate to manage vast public lands and associated wildlife, particularly wild horses and burros. The BLM's budget often includes significant allocations for rangeland management, including fencing, water development, and facilities like corrals for animal gathers and adoptions. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on appropriations and program priorities, the need for infrastructure like off-range corrals is a recurring requirement, reflecting ongoing efforts in animal population management.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Support Activities for Animal Production › Support Activities for Animal Production

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 88182 NORTH HIGHWAY 14, VERDIGRE, NE, 68783

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,291,172

Exercised Options: $2,291,172

Current Obligation: $2,291,172

Actual Outlays: $2,291,172

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140L0620D0065

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline