National Park Service awards $2.2M contract for boiler loop treatment to Cadel Chemical & Supply Co. Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,200 ($22.2K)

Contractor: Cadel Chemical & Supply CO Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-06

End Date: 2029-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,758 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOST- BOILER LOOP TREATMENT CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02109

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $22,200 to CADEL CHEMICAL & SUPPLY CO INC for work described as: BOST- BOILER LOOP TREATMENT CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type indicates predictable costs for the government. 3. The contract duration of nearly five years provides long-term service stability. 4. Awarded to a single vendor, Cadel Chemical & Supply Co. Inc., for specialized chemical treatment. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 238220 points to plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors. 6. The contract is for boiler loop treatment, a critical maintenance service for facility operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific boiler loop treatment contract is challenging without more detailed service scope and market data. However, the award amount of $2.22 million over approximately 4.75 years suggests an average annual expenditure of around $467,000. This figure needs to be compared against the scale of facilities managed by the National Park Service in Massachusetts and the complexity of their boiler systems to determine if it represents good value. The firm fixed-price nature helps control costs, but the absence of competitive bidding data makes a precise value assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involve a less formal bidding process than full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP awards are often made to a limited pool of vendors, potentially including those with existing contract vehicles or those identified through market research. This approach can expedite procurement but may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to broader solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP can mean faster delivery of necessary services but potentially at a slightly higher cost than if a wider range of vendors had been solicited. The efficiency gains may offset some of this risk.

Public Impact

Benefits the National Park Service by ensuring the operational efficiency and longevity of its boiler systems. Provides essential maintenance services for facilities located in Massachusetts. Supports the reliable operation of heating and cooling systems within national park facilities. Indirectly impacts visitor experience by maintaining comfortable and functional park infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not have secured the lowest possible price.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess service quality beyond contract compliance.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration ensures continuity of essential maintenance services.
Awarded to a specialized contractor, suggesting expertise in boiler treatment.

Sector Analysis

The boiler loop treatment market is a niche segment within the broader facilities maintenance and industrial chemicals sector. Companies in this space provide specialized chemical solutions and services to prevent corrosion, scale buildup, and microbial growth in water-based heating and cooling systems. The market size is driven by the need to maintain operational efficiency, extend equipment life, and comply with environmental regulations across various industries, including government facilities, commercial buildings, and industrial plants. This contract fits within the government's ongoing need for facility upkeep and operational support.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Cadel Chemical & Supply Co. Inc. does not provide information on whether the prime contractor itself is a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not evident from the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Park Service's contracting officers and program managers. As a purchase order awarded under SAP, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and internal agency oversight. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, but detailed performance reviews or Inspector General involvement would depend on specific performance issues or audit triggers. Accountability is managed through the terms of the firm fixed-price purchase order.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Industrial Chemical Supply Contracts
National Park Service Operations Support
Boiler and HVAC System Maintenance

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
Contract duration is long, requiring careful performance monitoring.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $22,200 to CADEL CHEMICAL & SUPPLY CO INC. BOST- BOILER LOOP TREATMENT CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CADEL CHEMICAL & SUPPLY CO INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22,200.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-06. End: 2029-06-30.

What is the track record of Cadel Chemical & Supply Co. Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for similar services?

Information regarding Cadel Chemical & Supply Co. Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially for boiler loop treatment, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards to this contractor, examining contract performance reviews, and identifying any history of disputes or issues. Understanding their experience with similar government entities or facility types would also be crucial for assessing their reliability and capability in fulfilling this National Park Service contract.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar boiler loop treatment services in Massachusetts?

A precise comparison of the awarded price to market rates is difficult without detailed service scope and volume data. The total contract value of $2.22 million over nearly five years averages approximately $467,000 annually. To benchmark this, one would need to identify comparable contracts awarded by other federal agencies or state/local governments in Massachusetts for similar boiler treatment services, considering factors like the number and size of boilers, water quality, and specific chemical regimens. The limited competition under SAP might suggest the price is not aggressively competitive, but without market data, a definitive assessment is not possible.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential underperformance by the contractor leading to boiler system issues, price increases if the firm fixed price doesn't account for significant market fluctuations in chemical costs, and the risk of limited innovation due to a single-source award under SAP. Mitigation strategies typically involve clear performance standards in the contract, regular monitoring by the National Park Service, and the option to not renew or re-compete if performance is unsatisfactory. The firm fixed price itself mitigates cost overrun risk for the government, assuming the initial pricing was adequate.

How effective is boiler loop treatment in maintaining the operational integrity of National Park Service facilities?

Boiler loop treatment is highly effective and essential for maintaining the operational integrity of heating and cooling systems. It prevents critical issues such as scale formation, corrosion, and biological fouling within the boiler and associated piping. These problems can lead to reduced energy efficiency, equipment failure, costly repairs, and premature system replacement. By ensuring proper water chemistry and flow, effective treatment prolongs the lifespan of boilers, optimizes heat transfer, and guarantees reliable operation, which is crucial for maintaining comfortable environments within National Park Service facilities, especially during peak seasons.

What is the historical spending pattern for boiler loop treatment by the National Park Service or Department of the Interior?

Historical spending data for boiler loop treatment by the National Park Service or the broader Department of the Interior is not provided in the current dataset. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying relevant NAICS codes and contract descriptions related to water treatment, chemical supply, and HVAC maintenance. Understanding historical spending trends would help contextualize the current $2.22 million award, revealing whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in such services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P4324Q0065

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 245 ELM ST, LEOMINSTER, MA, 01453

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,600

Exercised Options: $22,200

Current Obligation: $22,200

Actual Outlays: $10,055

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline