Arizona DOC's $1.98M IDIQ for animal support services awarded without competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,981,366 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Department of Corrections Arizona

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-06-25

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 735 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ARIZONA (DOC-AZ) -- SHORT-TERM HOLDING & TRAINING (STHT) INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) TASK ORDER (TO)

Place of Performance

Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85008

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.0 million to DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ARIZONA for work described as: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ARIZONA (DOC-AZ) -- SHORT-TERM HOLDING & TRAINING (STHT) INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) TASK ORDER (TO) Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating defined costs for services. 2. The contract duration is 735 days, spanning over two years. 3. Services are categorized under 'Support Activities for Animal Production'. 4. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost savings. 5. The award is a Delivery Order under an existing IDIQ. 6. The geographic focus is Arizona (AZ).

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without knowing the specific services provided under 'Support Activities for Animal Production'. However, the lack of competition suggests that the Department of Corrections Arizona may not have explored the most cost-effective options available in the market. Without comparative bids, it's difficult to assess if the firm-fixed-price is competitive or represents a fair market value. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and comparing it to similar contracts for animal support services, particularly those that underwent a competitive bidding process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. The specific reasons for not competing the contract are not detailed in the provided data. A lack of competition can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed procurement. It is unclear if a justification for other than full and open competition was documented.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these animal support services due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. This could result in the allocation of funds that could have been used more efficiently elsewhere.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Corrections Arizona, which will receive support services for animal production. The services delivered are related to animal production support, though the specifics are not detailed. The geographic impact is limited to Arizona (AZ). There are no immediate indications of significant workforce implications stemming directly from this contract award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Absence of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
Potential for unaddressed needs if competition could have offered broader solutions.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded under an existing IDIQ, suggesting some pre-qualification.
Clear contract duration and end date.

Sector Analysis

The 'Support Activities for Animal Production' category falls under the broader agricultural services sector. This sector encompasses a wide range of services supporting livestock, poultry, and other animal-related industries. Federal spending in this area often supports government operations, research, or specific program needs. Without more specific details on the nature of the animal production support, it is difficult to benchmark against comparable spending. However, contracts for animal care, feed, veterinary services, or related logistical support are common across various government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or immediate impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this specific award. The focus appears to be on larger, established service providers rather than small business development.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Corrections Arizona, as they are the contracting agency. Accountability measures would be defined by the terms of the IDIQ and the specific task order. Transparency is limited by the lack of public detail regarding the justification for non-competition and the precise nature of the services. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Animal Care Services
Agricultural Support Contracts
Correctional Facility Support Services
Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Unclear Scope of Work
Potential for Overpricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.0 million to DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ARIZONA. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ARIZONA (DOC-AZ) -- SHORT-TERM HOLDING & TRAINING (STHT) INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) TASK ORDER (TO)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ARIZONA.

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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-25. End: 2026-06-30.

What specific services are included under 'Support Activities for Animal Production' for the Arizona Department of Corrections?

The provided data does not specify the exact services encompassed by 'Support Activities for Animal Production'. This category is broad and could include a range of activities such as animal husbandry, feed procurement and management, veterinary support, waste management related to animals, or specialized training for animal handlers. Without a detailed Statement of Work (SOW) or a more granular service description, it is impossible to ascertain the precise nature of the support being provided. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to assess the contract's true value and necessity.

What was the justification for not competing this contract?

The data indicates this contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. Typically, federal agencies must justify sole-source or limited-competition awards through specific exceptions outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Common justifications include the existence of only one responsible source, urgent and compelling needs, or specific national security requirements. Without access to the contract file or a public justification document, the specific reason for not competing this particular contract remains unknown. This lack of transparency raises concerns about whether the government obtained the best possible value.

How does the $1.98 million value compare to similar animal support contracts in Arizona or nationally?

Directly comparing the $1.98 million value of this contract without knowing the specific services is difficult. However, the contract's duration of 735 days (approximately two years) suggests an average annual value of roughly $1 million. This figure needs to be contextualized by the scope of work. For instance, large-scale animal husbandry operations or specialized veterinary services for a significant animal population could easily reach this value. Conversely, basic feed procurement for a small number of animals might be considered high. A comprehensive benchmark would require analyzing contracts with similar service descriptions, geographic locations, and contract types (e.g., IDIQ task orders).

What are the potential risks associated with a non-competed contract of this nature?

The primary risk associated with a non-competed contract is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through competition. Without multiple bids, the government lacks leverage to negotiate the best possible terms and pricing. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most innovative or capable provider, as alternative solutions from other companies were not explored. Furthermore, a lack of transparency surrounding the non-competitive award can lead to perceptions of impropriety or favoritism, potentially eroding public trust and undermining the principles of fair and open government procurement.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Support Activities for Animal Production' by the Arizona Department of Corrections or similar agencies?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for this specific contract or category. To assess historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for past awards related to 'Support Activities for Animal Production' by the Arizona Department of Corrections or comparable state correctional agencies. Analyzing this data would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and whether these services have typically been competed or awarded sole-source. Understanding historical patterns is crucial for identifying anomalies and evaluating the current contract's alignment with past practices and potential cost efficiencies.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3279 E HARBOUR DR, PHOENIX, AZ, 85034

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,981,366

Exercised Options: $1,981,366

Current Obligation: $1,981,366

Actual Outlays: $1,981,366

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140L0121D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline