DOJ awards $123.9K for water heaters, highlighting hardware manufacturing needs for federal prisons
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $123,897 ($123.9K)
Contractor: Eastern Power Technologies Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-03-23
End Date: 2026-05-15
Contract Duration: 53 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LOCHINVAR WATER HEATERS FOR COMPLEX
Place of Performance
Location: ALLENWOOD, UNION County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17810
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $123,897.31 to EASTERN POWER TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: LOCHINVAR WATER HEATERS FOR COMPLEX Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of industrial water heaters. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting fair market pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and short performance period. 4. Performance context is tied to essential facility maintenance within the Bureau of Prisons. 5. Sector positioning is within hardware manufacturing, supporting critical infrastructure needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $123.9K for water heaters seems appropriate for specialized industrial units. Benchmarking against similar federal procurements for facility maintenance equipment suggests this price falls within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, indicating good value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with four bidders participating. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a healthy level of competition, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. This approach ensures the government can access a range of suppliers and secure the best possible terms.
Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more competitive price than a sole-source or limited competition award.
Public Impact
Federal inmates will benefit from reliable hot water systems, improving living conditions. Essential facility maintenance services are being delivered to Bureau of Prisons facilities. The geographic impact is localized to the facility receiving the water heaters in Pennsylvania. The contract supports the hardware manufacturing sector, contributing to the industrial base.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost overrun risk.
- Short performance period reduces long-term commitment risk.
Sector Analysis
The hardware manufacturing sector is crucial for supplying essential goods to government agencies. This contract for industrial water heaters fits within the broader category of facility maintenance and operational support. Comparable spending in this area often involves significant investment in infrastructure upgrades and replacements across various federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this contract, nor are there specific subcontracting requirements mentioned. The award went to Eastern Power Technologies Inc., which may or may not be a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the contracting officer and the Federal Prison System's procurement oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Prison System Operations
- Bureau of Prisons Facility Maintenance
- Hardware Procurement
- Department of Justice Facilities
Tags
department-of-justice, bureau-of-prisons, hardware-manufacturing, facility-maintenance, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, pennsylvania, small-dollar-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $123,897.31 to EASTERN POWER TECHNOLOGIES INC. LOCHINVAR WATER HEATERS FOR COMPLEX
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EASTERN POWER TECHNOLOGIES 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 $123,897.31.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-03-23. End: 2026-05-15.
What is the track record of Eastern Power Technologies Inc. with federal contracts?
Eastern Power Technologies Inc. has been awarded federal contracts, including this one from the Department of Justice. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the types of goods and services they have provided, their performance ratings on past contracts, and their overall experience with government procurement. Analyzing past performance is crucial for assessing reliability and ensuring successful contract execution. Without specific historical data readily available in this summary, it's difficult to provide a detailed assessment of their track record beyond their current award.
How does the unit cost of these water heaters compare to commercial market rates?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost of these specialized industrial water heaters against commercial market rates requires detailed specifications of the equipment. Industrial-grade units with specific capacities, efficiency ratings, and durability features often command higher prices than standard residential models. Given the firm fixed-price nature of the contract and the competitive bidding process, it is likely that the pricing reflects a fair market value for the specified industrial equipment. However, a precise comparison would necessitate access to the detailed product specifications and current commercial pricing for equivalent models.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract?
The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low due to its nature. Potential risks include delivery delays, although the short performance period (delivery order within approximately two months) mitigates this. There's also a minor risk of equipment malfunction or defect upon installation, which is typically covered by warranty clauses in such contracts. The firm fixed-price structure protects against cost overruns. The main operational risk is ensuring the installed water heaters meet the specific needs and operational demands of the federal prison facility.
How effective are these water heaters likely to be in meeting the needs of the Federal Prison System?
The effectiveness of these water heaters will depend on their suitability for the demanding environment of a federal prison. Industrial-grade water heaters are designed for high usage and durability, which are essential for correctional facilities. Assuming the selected model meets the required capacity, temperature, and reliability standards specified in the contract, they should effectively provide hot water for inmate use and facility operations. The Bureau of Prisons' procurement process likely includes technical specifications to ensure the chosen equipment is fit for purpose, contributing to improved living conditions and operational efficiency.
What is the historical spending trend for water heaters or similar facility maintenance equipment by the Bureau of Prisons?
Historical spending trends for water heaters and similar facility maintenance equipment by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) would likely show consistent investment in infrastructure upkeep. The BOP manages numerous facilities, each requiring regular maintenance and occasional replacement of critical systems like water heating. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on the age of facilities, budget allocations, and specific repair or upgrade initiatives. While this specific award is for $123.9K, the BOP's total annual expenditure on facility maintenance, including plumbing and HVAC components, could be in the millions, reflecting the scale of their real estate portfolio.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 215 PELHAM DAVIS CIR, GREENVILLE, SC, 29615
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $123,897
Exercised Options: $123,897
Current Obligation: $123,897
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QSHA20D0001
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-03-23
Current End Date: 2026-05-15
Potential End Date: 2026-05-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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