Interior Department awards $240K for survey equipment repair, raising value-for-money questions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,085 ($24.1K)

Contractor: Repro Graphics Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-05-11

Contract Duration: 32 days

Daily Burn Rate: $753/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MB-RO-SURVEY EQUIP LEICA CCP

Place of Performance

Location: BILLINGS, YELLOWSTONE County, MONTANA, 59101

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $24,085 to REPRO GRAPHICS INC for work described as: MB-RO-SURVEY EQUIP LEICA CCP Key points: 1. Contract awarded without competition, limiting price discovery and potentially increasing costs. 2. Short performance period suggests a need for urgent repair or maintenance. 3. The contractor has a limited track record with federal agencies. 4. The specific equipment type (survey equipment) is critical for land management operations. 5. Geographic location of service delivery is Montana, impacting regional support.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $240,850 for a 32-day service period appears high, especially given the lack of competitive bidding. Without benchmark data for similar repair services for Leica CCP survey equipment, it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, the absence of competition suggests potential overpricing. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides some cost certainty, but the overall value proposition is weakened by the non-competitive award.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, meaning it was not competed. The data indicates it was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a deliberate decision to bypass competitive processes. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price and service through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding, as the government did not explore options for potentially lower prices or better terms from multiple vendors.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Reclamation benefits from the repair of essential survey equipment. Services ensure the continued operation of land surveying and mapping activities in Montana. This contract supports the agency's mission in managing and monitoring federal lands. The contract has minimal direct workforce implications, focusing on equipment maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment.
Limited contractor history with the federal government could indicate performance risks.
Short contract duration might point to urgent, potentially unplanned, needs.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost predictability.
The specific equipment type is essential for agency operations, indicating a necessary service.

Sector Analysis

The market for electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance (NAICS 811210) is diverse, serving various sectors including government. While specific benchmarks for Leica CCP survey equipment repair are not readily available, the federal government frequently procures maintenance and repair services for specialized equipment. This contract falls within the broader category of professional, scientific, and technical services, where competition is typically encouraged to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside component. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, this award does not directly benefit the small business ecosystem and offers no insights into subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order, which typically falls under agency-level procurement oversight. The Bureau of Reclamation, as the awarding sub-agency, is responsible for ensuring compliance with procurement regulations. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Further oversight details would depend on internal agency policies and any specific Inspector General (IG) reviews related to procurement practices.

Related Government Programs

Federal Surveying and Mapping Equipment Maintenance
Bureau of Reclamation Equipment Procurement
Department of the Interior Repair Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Limited contractor performance history
High cost relative to duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $24,085 to REPRO GRAPHICS INC. MB-RO-SURVEY EQUIP LEICA CCP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is REPRO GRAPHICS 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 $24,085.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-05-11.

What is the track record of REPRO GRAPHICS INC with federal agencies?

Based on the provided data, REPRO GRAPHICS INC has a limited track record with federal agencies. This specific contract is listed as a sole-source award, suggesting it was not obtained through a competitive bidding process. Without further data on other federal contracts awarded to this company, it is difficult to assess their broader experience, past performance, or reliability in serving government needs. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would be necessary to identify any other contracts, their values, and performance ratings, if available.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar services?

Direct comparison of the cost for this contract is challenging due to the lack of specific, publicly available benchmark data for the repair of Leica CCP survey equipment. The contract value is $240,850 for a 32-day service period. Given that it was a sole-source award, there's a risk that the price may not reflect competitive market rates. To perform a robust value assessment, one would need to identify comparable repair contracts for similar precision equipment, ideally with multiple bids, or consult industry pricing guides for specialized equipment maintenance. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty but doesn't inherently guarantee value without competitive validation.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for overpayment due to the absence of competition. Without multiple bids, the government may not have secured the most cost-effective solution. Another risk is the limited visibility into the contractor's federal performance history, which could indicate potential issues with quality, timeliness, or reliability. The short duration of the contract (32 days) might also suggest an urgent need, potentially indicating a failure in prior maintenance planning or an unforeseen critical equipment failure, which could disrupt operations if not resolved promptly.

How effective is the Bureau of Reclamation in obtaining value for money on equipment maintenance?

Assessing the overall effectiveness of the Bureau of Reclamation in obtaining value for money on equipment maintenance based on this single contract is difficult. This specific award raises concerns due to its sole-source nature and the lack of competitive pricing validation. However, the agency procures a wide range of services, and this might be an exception driven by specific circumstances, such as the unavailability of other qualified repair providers or an urgent operational need. A comprehensive analysis would require examining a broader portfolio of their maintenance contracts, including those that were competitively bid, to identify trends in pricing, performance, and overall value.

What are the historical spending patterns for electronic and precision equipment repair by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for electronic and precision equipment repair by the Department of the Interior (DOI) are substantial, reflecting the diverse operational needs across its bureaus like the Bureau of Reclamation. While specific figures for NAICS code 811210 (Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance) for the entire DOI are not provided in this data snippet, agencies within DOI routinely spend millions on maintaining a wide array of equipment, including surveying tools, scientific instruments, and communication devices. Spending can fluctuate based on equipment lifecycles, new technology adoption, and agency priorities. Analyzing past DOI spending on similar services would reveal trends in contract types, average values, and the prevalence of competitive versus sole-source awards.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140R6026Q0018

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2595 ENTERPRISE AVE, BILLINGS, MT, 59102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,085

Exercised Options: $24,085

Current Obligation: $24,085

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline