DOI Awards $90,945 for Lake Roosevelt Dispatch Services, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $90,946 ($90.9K)

Contractor: County of Lincoln

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-05-01

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $62/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LAKE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL RECREATION AREA SOUTH DISTRICT DISPATCH SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: COULEE DAM, OKANOGAN County, WASHINGTON, 99116

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $90,945.53 to COUNTY OF LINCOLN for work described as: LAKE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL RECREATION AREA SOUTH DISTRICT DISPATCH SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential dispatch services to the National Park Service. 2. Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and value. 3. Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty but may not reflect market rates. 4. Geographic location in Washington State may limit contractor availability.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $90,945 over four years for telephone answering services is difficult to benchmark without specific service level details. The lack of competition suggests the government may not have secured the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a potential missed opportunity for broader competition. This limited approach to competition likely resulted in a higher price than if multiple vendors had been solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have overpaid due to the absence of competitive bidding, as the government did not leverage market forces to drive down costs.

Public Impact

Ensures critical communication services for a national recreation area. Potential for higher costs impacts the budget allocated for park operations. Lack of transparency in the procurement process limits public scrutiny.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 62 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency

Positive Signals

Essential service provision
Firm fixed-price contract

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under administrative and support services for government operations. Benchmarking is challenging without specific details, but typical costs for similar services vary widely based on scope and location.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were considered or participated in this procurement. The lack of competition suggests limited opportunity for small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The procurement process, particularly the lack of competition, warrants further review to ensure adherence to federal acquisition regulations and to confirm value for taxpayer money.

Related Government Programs

Telephone Answering Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
National Park Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in procurement
Unclear value for money

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $90,945.53 to COUNTY OF LINCOLN. LAKE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL RECREATION AREA SOUTH DISTRICT DISPATCH SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COUNTY OF LINCOLN.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $90,945.53.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.

What specific dispatch services are included in this contract, and how do they compare to industry standards for similar facilities?

The contract specifies 'Telephone Answering Services' for the South District Dispatch. Without a detailed statement of work, it's hard to compare precisely. However, standard services typically include call routing, message taking, and emergency dispatch coordination. Industry benchmarks for such services vary greatly based on call volume, hours of operation, and required response times, making a direct comparison difficult without more data.

What efforts were made to ensure fair and reasonable pricing, given the limited competition?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This suggests that standard competitive procedures, even for simplified acquisitions, may not have been fully utilized. Without evidence of market research, price analysis, or solicitation of multiple quotes, it is questionable whether fair and reasonable pricing was achieved.

How effectively does this contract support the operational needs of the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area?

The contract provides essential telephone answering services, which are crucial for communication and coordination within the park, especially for dispatching resources during emergencies or routine operations. While the service itself is necessary, the effectiveness in terms of value and efficiency is hampered by the lack of competitive pricing, potentially diverting funds from other critical park needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Telephone Answering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: DOIPFBO230037

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 404 SINCLAIR ST, DAVENPORT, WA, 99122

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $90,946

Exercised Options: $90,946

Current Obligation: $90,946

Actual Outlays: $54,116

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline