Interior Department awards $53.6K contract for portable toilet services to Big Valley Sanitation Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $53,605 ($53.6K)

Contractor: BIG Valley Sanitation Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-06-01

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $49/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PORTABLE TOILETS RENTAL AND SERVICING

Place of Performance

Location: SHASTA LAKE, SHASTA County, CALIFORNIA, 96019

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $53,604.68 to BIG VALLEY SANITATION INC for work described as: PORTABLE TOILETS RENTAL AND SERVICING Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential sanitation services, indicating a need for basic infrastructure support. 2. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a localized or specific operational requirement. 3. Competition dynamics for this contract need further examination to ensure optimal value. 4. Performance risk appears low given the nature of the service, but reliability is key. 5. Sector positioning is within general services, supporting operational needs rather than core mission functions. 6. Geographic focus on California is noted, aligning with Bureau of Reclamation operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $53.6K for a three-year period for portable toilet rental and servicing is modest. Benchmarking this specific service is challenging without more granular data on service frequency, unit count, and geographic spread within California. However, the price appears reasonable for basic sanitation needs in a remote or operational setting. Further analysis would require comparing per-unit costs and service levels against similar contracts in the region or for similar operational contexts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for awards under the federal micro-purchase and small purchase thresholds. While the specific number of bids received is not detailed, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests that multiple offers were solicited and considered. This level of competition, even under SAP, generally promotes price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a competed contract under SAP suggests that the government sought competitive bids, aiming to secure the best possible price for these essential services. This process helps prevent overpayment and ensures that funds are used efficiently for necessary operational support.

Public Impact

Bureau of Reclamation personnel and potentially visitors in California will benefit from access to sanitation facilities. The service ensures compliance with health and environmental regulations at operational sites. Geographic impact is limited to the specific operational areas within California managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small number of service technicians from the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if contractor fails to maintain consistent delivery and servicing schedules.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical, albeit basic, operational need.
Geographic limitations of service may impact remote or expanding operational areas.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for value.
Clear definition of services (rental and servicing) reduces ambiguity.
Fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government.

Sector Analysis

The market for portable toilet rental and servicing is a niche segment within the broader facilities support services industry. This contract falls under general services procurement, supporting the operational needs of federal agencies. While not a large-scale procurement, it represents a common requirement for agencies operating in locations lacking permanent infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without specific details on the scale and duration of service required.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the nature of the service. The award to Big Valley Sanitation Inc. does not provide information on whether they are a small business themselves. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Bureau of Reclamation. The COR is responsible for monitoring service delivery, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Environmental Services Contracts
Bureau of Reclamation Operational Support

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption
Contractor performance history unknown
Geographic service limitations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $53,604.68 to BIG VALLEY SANITATION INC. PORTABLE TOILETS RENTAL AND SERVICING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIG VALLEY SANITATION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $53,604.68.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-01. End: 2027-05-31.

What is the typical cost range for portable toilet rental and servicing contracts of similar scope and duration within the federal government?

Determining a precise typical cost range for portable toilet rental and servicing contracts is challenging due to the highly variable nature of these services. Factors such as the number of units, frequency of servicing (daily, weekly, bi-weekly), type of units (standard, deluxe, ADA-compliant), duration of rental, and geographic location significantly influence pricing. For federal contracts, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are often used for purchases under $250,000, which this contract falls within. Awards under SAP can range from a few thousand dollars to the threshold amount. Without specific details on the quantity and service frequency for this $53.6K contract over three years, direct comparison is difficult. However, agencies often seek multiple bids to ensure competitive pricing, aiming for rates that reflect local market conditions while ensuring reliable service delivery.

How does the contractor, Big Valley Sanitation Inc., perform on other federal contracts?

Information regarding Big Valley Sanitation Inc.'s performance on other federal contracts is not directly available within the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would require accessing historical contract data from federal procurement databases (e.g., FPDS-NG). This would allow for an examination of past contract awards, performance evaluations (if recorded), and any instances of contract disputes or terminations. Without this external data, it is impossible to definitively assess their reliability and past performance in fulfilling federal obligations. Agencies typically review past performance as part of the source selection process, especially for larger or more critical contracts.

What are the specific operational needs driving the requirement for portable toilets by the Bureau of Reclamation in California?

The specific operational needs driving the requirement for portable toilets by the Bureau of Reclamation in California are not detailed in the provided contract abstract. However, such requirements typically arise in situations where permanent restroom facilities are unavailable, insufficient, or undergoing maintenance. This could include remote field operations, construction sites, temporary work locations, or areas experiencing increased public access without adequate infrastructure. The Bureau of Reclamation manages vast water infrastructure and land resources, often involving field personnel working in diverse and sometimes undeveloped areas. Therefore, portable toilets are essential for maintaining basic sanitation, worker health and safety, and environmental compliance in these operational contexts.

What is the risk associated with a three-year contract for portable toilet services, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risks associated with a three-year contract for portable toilet services include potential service degradation over time, price escalation beyond initial expectations (though mitigated by fixed-price type), and contractor reliability issues (e.g., missed servicing, equipment malfunction). Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) who monitors service delivery against performance standards outlined in the contract. Clear performance metrics, regular communication with the contractor, and defined remedies for non-performance (e.g., service credits, termination clauses) are crucial. The fixed-price nature of this contract helps control cost risk for the government. Additionally, maintaining a strong working relationship and providing timely feedback can encourage proactive problem-solving by the contractor.

How does this contract align with the Bureau of Reclamation's broader mission and spending priorities in California?

This contract for portable toilet rental and servicing aligns with the Bureau of Reclamation's broader mission by providing essential support for its operational activities in California. While not directly related to water management or infrastructure development, ensuring adequate sanitation for field personnel and potentially at operational sites is a fundamental requirement for maintaining workforce health, safety, and regulatory compliance. Such services enable staff to perform their duties effectively in locations lacking permanent facilities. In terms of spending priorities, this contract represents a relatively small allocation within the Bureau's overall budget, likely categorized under general operating expenses or facilities maintenance. Its purpose is to facilitate the execution of core mission-related tasks by ensuring basic logistical needs are met.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Septic Tank and Related Services

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT EQUIPMENT › LEASE OR RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140R2024Q0072

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5551 EASTSIDE RD, REDDING, CA, 96001

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $103,950

Exercised Options: $53,605

Current Obligation: $53,605

Actual Outlays: $12,849

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline