Interior Department awards $40K for three zero-turn mowers to Southern Powerworks LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,363 ($40.4K)

Contractor: Southern Powerworks LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 174 days

Daily Burn Rate: $232/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PURCHASE 3 ZERO-TURN RIDING MOWERS - GULF ISLAND NS

Place of Performance

Location: GULF BREEZE, SANTA ROSA County, FLORIDA, 32563

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $40,362.66 to SOUTHERN POWERWORKS LLC for work described as: PURCHASE 3 ZERO-TURN RIDING MOWERS - GULF ISLAND NS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential grounds maintenance equipment. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 3. The contract duration is approximately 5.5 months. 4. The mowers are intended for use by the National Park Service. 5. The award was a firm-fixed-price purchase order. 6. The contractor is Southern Powerworks LLC, based in Florida.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $40,362.66 for three zero-turn riding mowers appears reasonable given the equipment type and quantity. While specific benchmarking data for this exact configuration is not readily available, the price per mower ($13,454.22) falls within a typical range for commercial-grade zero-turn mowers. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $13,454 per mower.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal bidding process than full and open competition. While the data indicates two bids were received, the specific solicitation method and number of interested parties beyond the two bidders are not detailed. SAP is generally used for purchases under the simplified acquisition threshold, aiming for efficiency.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP can lead to good pricing due to multiple offers, but the limited scope may not always yield the absolute lowest price achievable through broader competition.

Public Impact

Benefits the National Park Service by providing necessary equipment for grounds maintenance. Ensures well-kept park areas for visitor enjoyment and safety. Supports efficient landscaping operations within the National Park Service. The purchase order is geographically focused on Florida, where the contractor is located.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP procedures.
Dependence on a single contractor for this specific equipment acquisition.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a known entity, Southern Powerworks LLC.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Purchase order is for essential operational equipment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the manufacturing sector for lawn and garden equipment, specifically NAICS code 3312. The market for commercial mowing equipment is competitive, with various manufacturers and dealers offering a range of products. Government procurement of such equipment is common for maintaining federal lands and facilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it detail subcontracting plans. Southern Powerworks LLC's size status is not specified, but given the contract value, it is plausible they are a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine any direct impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a purchase order, which is a standard procurement instrument. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the National Park Service's facilities management division. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

Grounds Maintenance Equipment Procurement
National Park Service Operations
Department of the Interior Fleet Management

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $40,362.66 to SOUTHERN POWERWORKS LLC. PURCHASE 3 ZERO-TURN RIDING MOWERS - GULF ISLAND NS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOUTHERN POWERWORKS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $40,362.66.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of Southern Powerworks LLC with federal contracts?

Information regarding Southern Powerworks LLC's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases would be necessary to assess their history, past performance, and any prior awards. This would include examining the types of contracts they have held, their performance ratings, and any potential issues or disputes. Understanding their federal contracting history is crucial for evaluating reliability and experience in fulfilling government requirements.

How does the price per mower compare to similar government purchases?

The price of approximately $13,454 per zero-turn riding mower is within the expected range for commercial-grade equipment. However, a precise comparison to similar government purchases would require access to a broader dataset of recent awards for identical or comparable mower models, including factors like engine size, deck width, and features. Without this granular data, it's difficult to definitively benchmark the value. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award, however, provides cost certainty for the government.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low given its nature and value. Potential risks include delivery delays, equipment malfunction upon arrival, or the contractor failing to meet specifications. Since it's a firm-fixed-price award, cost overrun risk for the government is minimal. Performance risk is managed through the contract terms and the government's ability to inspect and accept the goods. The limited competition under SAP could also be considered a minor risk if it prevented achieving a lower price.

How effective is the National Park Service in procuring grounds maintenance equipment?

The effectiveness of the National Park Service (NPS) in procuring grounds maintenance equipment can be assessed through various lenses. This specific award suggests a functional procurement process for acquiring necessary tools. The NPS generally follows federal acquisition regulations, utilizing competitive bidding where appropriate. Their effectiveness is demonstrated by their ability to maintain vast parklands, which relies on timely and appropriate equipment acquisition. However, like any large organization, there can be instances of delays or suboptimal pricing, which are inherent challenges in large-scale procurement.

What is the historical spending pattern for zero-turn mowers by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for zero-turn mowers by the Department of the Interior (DOI) are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for past awards of similar equipment by the DOI and its various agencies, such as the National Park Service. This analysis would reveal trends in spending volume, average prices paid, and the types of contractors utilized over time, providing context for the current award's significance and value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing › Lawn and Garden Tractor and Home Lawn and Garden Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: TRACTORS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 253 STATE HIGHWAY 83, DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, FL, 32433

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,363

Exercised Options: $40,363

Current Obligation: $40,363

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline