DOJ awards $53.6K for water services to Manchester, City of, with limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $53,602 ($53.6K)

Contractor: Manchester, City of

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-03-31

End Date: 2026-03-31

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY25 MANCHESTER WATERWORKS 2ND QTR FY26 WATER

Place of Performance

Location: MANCHESTER, CLAY County, KENTUCKY, 40962

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $53,601.92 to MANCHESTER, CITY OF for work described as: FY25 MANCHESTER WATERWORKS 2ND QTR FY26 WATER Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the limited competition and fixed-price nature of the contract. 2. Competition dynamics are limited, suggesting potential for higher pricing than in a fully open market. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the nature of the service and the fixed-price contract. 4. Performance context is specific to water supply for a federal facility. 5. Sector positioning is within the essential services category for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $53.6K for water services is relatively small. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific details on the volume and type of water services required. However, given the limited competition, the pricing is assumed to be fair but potentially not the lowest achievable in a more competitive scenario. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This suggests that only one or a very limited number of vendors were considered or able to provide the required services. The lack of broad competition may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than if the contract had been widely competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the most competitive pricing due to the limited nature of the competition for this essential service.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons, ensuring a consistent water supply. Services delivered include water supply and irrigation systems. Geographic impact is localized to the facility served by Manchester Waterworks in Kentucky. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving existing operational staff for water management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition could result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the 'not available for competition' justification requires further scrutiny.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Service is essential for facility operations, ensuring continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the essential services sector, specifically water supply and infrastructure. The market for municipal water services is typically localized and often dominated by public utilities or specialized private providers. Federal agencies rely on these services to maintain operational capacity, with spending varying based on facility size and location. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific service volume and duration.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this contract. Given the nature of municipal water services, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary providers unless they are subcontractors to a larger entity. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore expected to be negligible.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms. Transparency is limited by the 'not available for competition' designation, which warrants further review to ensure proper justification and adherence to procurement regulations.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Operations
Bureau of Prisons Facilities Management
Water Infrastructure Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
Lack of detailed justification for 'not available for competition' requires review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $53,601.92 to MANCHESTER, CITY OF. FY25 MANCHESTER WATERWORKS 2ND QTR FY26 WATER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANCHESTER, CITY OF.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $53,601.92.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-31. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract as 'not available for competition'?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION.' This designation typically implies that only one responsible source is available or that a compelling justification exists for limiting competition, such as urgent and unforeseen needs, or a unique capability held by a single entity. For a municipal water service, this could potentially relate to the exclusive service territory of a local water authority or a specific, unique requirement of the facility that only one provider can meet. A thorough review of the contract file would be necessary to ascertain the precise justification and ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations (e.g., FAR Part 6).

How does the $53.6K award compare to historical spending for water services at this facility or similar facilities?

The provided data does not include historical spending information for this specific contract or facility, nor does it offer data on comparable facilities. The award amount of $53.6K is for a single delivery order with an end date of March 31, 2026. To assess historical trends, one would need to examine past contracts for water services at this Bureau of Prisons location or similar correctional facilities. Without this context, it is difficult to determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable spending pattern. Further analysis would require access to historical contract databases and facility-specific procurement records.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this water supply contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for water supply contracts, KPIs might include water quality standards (e.g., meeting EPA regulations), service reliability (e.g., uptime, response time for disruptions), and delivery volume consistency. SLAs would outline the expected performance levels and potential remedies or penalties for non-compliance. As this is a fixed-price contract for water supply, the primary focus would likely be on ensuring a continuous and safe supply of water meeting defined quality parameters. Specific details would be found in the contract's statement of work.

What is the track record of 'MANCHESTER, CITY OF' as a federal contractor, particularly with the Department of Justice?

The provided data does not include information on the contractor's track record, such as past performance ratings, previous contract awards, or history with the Department of Justice. 'MANCHESTER, CITY OF' likely refers to the municipal water utility serving Manchester, Kentucky. Municipalities often contract with federal agencies for essential services. To assess their track record, one would need to search federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards to this entity, review past performance evaluations if available, and check for any documented issues or successes in fulfilling federal contracts. Without this external data, their specific federal contracting history remains unknown.

Are there any potential risks associated with relying on a single or limited number of providers for essential water services?

Yes, there are potential risks associated with relying on a single or limited number of providers for essential water services. These include: 1) **Supply Disruption:** If the sole provider experiences operational issues (e.g., infrastructure failure, natural disaster, labor strike), the federal facility could face a critical shortage of water, impacting operations and safety. 2) **Price Escalation:** Limited competition can lead to higher prices over time as the provider faces less pressure to offer competitive rates. 3) **Reduced Innovation/Service Quality:** Without competitive pressure, the provider may have less incentive to improve service quality or adopt new technologies. 4) **Contractual Leverage:** The provider may have significant leverage in future negotiations, potentially dictating terms. For essential services like water, contingency planning and exploring alternative sourcing options, even if costly, are crucial risk mitigation strategies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Water, Sewage and Other Systems › Water Supply and Irrigation Systems

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 123 TOWN SQ, MANCHESTER, KY, 40962

Business Categories: Category Business, Community Development Corporation, Council of Governments, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $53,602

Exercised Options: $53,602

Current Obligation: $53,602

Actual Outlays: $16,696

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B11018D00000045

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline