DOJ's $26.4M landfill contract awarded to Waste Connections US, Inc. for Texas facility

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,414 ($26.4K)

Contractor: Waste Connections US, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-09-30

End Date: 2026-04-07

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY 26 LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL (TRASH)

Place of Performance

Location: SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, TEXAS, 77380

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $26,413.9 to WASTE CONNECTIONS US, INC. for work described as: FY 26 LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL (TRASH) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to provide cost certainty for the Bureau of Prisons. 3. Awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about the extent of competition. 4. The contract duration is less than one year, indicating a short-term service need. 5. Geographic focus on Texas for waste management services. 6. NAICS code 562119 points to general waste collection services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific landfill contract is challenging without detailed service scope and volume data. However, the award under SAP suggests it falls within a threshold where simplified procedures are deemed appropriate, potentially indicating a reasonable price for the services rendered. Further analysis would require comparing unit costs for waste collection and disposal in the specified Texas region against similar government contracts or commercial rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). While SAP allows for competition, it often involves fewer bidders and less formal solicitation processes compared to full and open competition. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of SAP suggests a potentially limited competitive landscape for this particular procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may result in less aggressive pricing than a fully competed large-scale contract, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Prison System, ensuring essential waste management services for its Texas facility. Services delivered include the collection and disposal of waste from the federal prison. The geographic impact is localized to the area surrounding the federal prison in Texas. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily involving personnel from Waste Connections US, Inc. for service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP could lead to suboptimal pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing service quality difficult.
Short contract duration may necessitate frequent re-competition, increasing administrative burden.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Award to an established vendor likely ensures service continuity.
Focus on essential services ensures operational needs are met.

Sector Analysis

The waste management sector is a mature industry providing essential services across commercial, industrial, and municipal sectors. Government contracts for waste collection and disposal are common, with spending varying based on facility size, location, and service requirements. This contract fits within the broader 'Other Waste Collection' category, representing a segment of the overall government spending on essential operational support services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this award. The procurement was likely handled through channels that did not prioritize small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons' contracting officers and facility management. As a purchase order under SAP, it is expected to have standard oversight mechanisms for service delivery and payment. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, but detailed operational oversight specifics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Operations
Bureau of Prisons Facilities Management
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules (for potential alternative procurement)

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to SAP.
Short contract duration.
Lack of specific performance metrics.
Potential for price increases upon re-competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $26,413.9 to WASTE CONNECTIONS US, INC.. FY 26 LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL (TRASH)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WASTE CONNECTIONS US, INC..

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 $26,413.9.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-09-30. End: 2026-04-07.

What is the historical spending pattern for waste management services at this specific federal facility?

Analyzing historical spending for waste management at this specific federal facility would require access to past contract awards and expenditure data for the Bureau of Prisons in Texas. Without this granular data, it's impossible to determine if the current $26.4 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable spending trend. Generally, federal agencies aim for cost efficiencies over time, but factors like inflation, changes in service requirements, or increased waste generation can lead to fluctuations. A review of prior contracts, if available, would reveal trends in pricing, vendor performance, and contract types used, providing context for the current award's value and structure.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar waste collection services in Texas?

A precise comparison of the awarded price to market rates for similar waste collection services in Texas is difficult without specific details on the volume of waste, types of materials collected, frequency of pickups, and disposal methods required by the contract. However, the contract's value of $26.4 million over its term suggests a significant operation. To benchmark, one would typically look at commercial contracts for large institutions or municipalities in the same geographic area, considering factors like landfill tipping fees, transportation costs, and labor. Given the award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), it implies the value was deemed appropriate for that procurement method, but a detailed market analysis would be needed to confirm if it represents optimal value for taxpayers.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this waste management contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this waste management contract. Typically, for such services, KPIs might include metrics related to timely waste collection, adherence to environmental regulations, proper disposal of waste, reduction of odors or pests, and responsiveness to service requests. The contract type, a firm-fixed-price purchase order, suggests that the scope of services is clearly defined, and payment is contingent upon satisfactory completion. However, without explicit KPIs outlined in the contract documentation, assessing the contractor's performance objectively and ensuring accountability for service quality becomes more challenging for the Bureau of Prisons.

What is the track record of Waste Connections US, Inc. with federal government contracts?

Waste Connections US, Inc. is a major player in the waste management industry, primarily serving commercial and residential customers. While their extensive commercial experience is notable, their track record specifically with federal government contracts would need to be independently verified through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. Federal contracts often have stringent compliance, reporting, and performance requirements that can differ from commercial engagements. Understanding their history with similar federal agencies, contract values, and performance ratings (if available) would provide insight into their capability to meet the Bureau of Prisons' needs effectively and reliably.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-term contract for essential services like waste management?

Short-term contracts, like this one with a duration less than one year, for essential services such as waste management can present several risks. Firstly, it may lead to increased administrative costs and effort for the agency due to frequent re-procurement processes. Secondly, contractors might be less inclined to invest in specialized equipment or long-term service improvements if they perceive the contract duration as insufficient to recoup such investments. This could potentially lead to service disruptions or lower quality if a new vendor is selected or the incumbent is hesitant to commit resources. Finally, it limits the agency's ability to build a long-term strategic relationship with a provider that consistently demonstrates exceptional performance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Collection › Other Waste Collection

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: BAY Disposal, LLC

Address: 3 WATERWAY SQUARE PLACE, SUITE 110, THE WOODLANDS, TX, 77380

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,414

Exercised Options: $26,414

Current Obligation: $26,414

Actual Outlays: $17,366

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline