DOJ's $34.8K landfill contract for Devens ensures waste disposal for FY26, awarded competitively

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,783 ($34.8K)

Contractor: Devens Recycling Center, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-04-07

Contract Duration: 188 days

Daily Burn Rate: $185/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVISION OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL (LANDFILL) SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK. FISCAL YEAR 26 OY2 OY2: OCTOBER 1, 2025 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

Place of Performance

Location: DEVENS, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01434

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $34,783.12 to DEVENS RECYCLING CENTER, LLC for work described as: PROVISION OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL (LANDFILL) SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK. FISCAL YEAR 26 OY2 OY2: OCTOBER 1, 2025 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of landfill services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competitive award process, likely driving fair pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a fixed-price contract and clear service scope. 4. Performance context is straightforward: provision of essential waste management services. 5. Sector positioning is within the essential services category, supporting federal operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $34,783.12 for a full year of landfill services appears reasonable, especially considering the specialized nature of waste management and the specific location. Benchmarking against similar contracts for federal facilities of comparable size and service requirements would provide a more precise assessment, but the fixed-price nature suggests cost control. The award amount is within expected ranges for such essential operational support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process among multiple bidders. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but SAP is designed to encourage competition for contracts below certain thresholds. The competitive nature of the award is a positive indicator for price discovery and achieving a fair market price for the landfill services.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by securing services at a reasonable cost, preventing potential overpayment that could occur with less competitive or sole-source arrangements.

Public Impact

Benefits federal correctional facilities by ensuring proper and compliant solid waste disposal. Delivers essential landfill services, maintaining environmental standards and operational continuity. Geographic impact is localized to the Devens, Massachusetts area, supporting federal operations there. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving the contractor's personnel for service provision.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if contractor faces operational issues.
Dependence on a single provider for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Clear statement of work ensures defined service delivery.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Competitive award process suggests fair market pricing.

Sector Analysis

The solid waste management sector is a critical component of infrastructure, supporting government operations and public health. Federal spending in this area is consistent, focusing on compliance with environmental regulations and ensuring operational continuity. This contract fits within the broader category of facilities support services, a necessary expenditure for maintaining federal installations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed based on volume of waste, distance to landfill, and specific service requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not appear to be a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless small businesses were involved as subcontractors to the prime contractor, which is not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Federal Prison System. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms and the statement of work. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available, though detailed performance metrics are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Operations
Bureau of Prisons Facilities Management
Solid Waste Management Services

Risk Flags

Contract duration is relatively short, potentially requiring re-competition or extension.
Limited data on contractor's past performance within this specific dataset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $34,783.12 to DEVENS RECYCLING CENTER, LLC. PROVISION OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL (LANDFILL) SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK. FISCAL YEAR 26 OY2 OY2: OCTOBER 1, 2025 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEVENS RECYCLING CENTER, LLC.

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 $34,783.12.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-04-07.

What is the historical spending trend for solid waste disposal services at this specific federal facility or within the Federal Prison System?

Analyzing historical spending for solid waste disposal at this specific facility or within the broader Federal Prison System (FPS) is crucial for understanding cost trends and value. Without specific historical data for this contract or location, we can infer general trends. Federal agencies consistently require waste management services, and costs are influenced by factors like landfill capacity, environmental regulations, fuel prices, and contract duration. If this is a recurring service, comparing the current $34,783.12 to previous years' expenditures would reveal if costs are increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. Significant deviations could warrant further investigation into market changes, service scope adjustments, or contractor performance. For instance, a steady increase might indicate inflationary pressures or increased waste volume, while a sudden spike could suggest a less competitive bidding environment or a change in service requirements. Benchmarking against similar contracts across different federal facilities can also provide context for cost efficiency.

How does the per-unit cost of this landfill service compare to industry benchmarks or similar federal contracts?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for this landfill service is challenging without knowing the volume of waste (e.g., tons per month, cubic yards) or the specific services included beyond basic landfilling. However, we can discuss the benchmarking process. The contract value is $34,783.12 for approximately 188 days (October 1, 2025 - April 7, 2026). This equates to roughly $185 per day. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare this daily rate against similar contracts for federal facilities in Massachusetts or the Northeast region, considering factors like the size of the facility served, the type of waste, and the distance to the landfill. Industry benchmarks for landfill tipping fees vary significantly by region and landfill type, but a daily rate in this range might be considered competitive if it covers regular, compliant waste disposal for a correctional facility. A more granular comparison would involve analyzing cost per ton or per cubic yard if that data were available.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for essential waste disposal services?

Relying on a single contractor for essential waste disposal services, even if competitively procured, introduces several potential risks. The primary risk is service disruption. If the contractor experiences financial difficulties, operational issues (e.g., equipment failure, labor disputes), or faces regulatory challenges, waste collection and disposal could be interrupted. This could lead to unsanitary conditions, health hazards, and operational shutdowns at the federal facility. Another risk is potential price escalation in future contract renewals if competition diminishes or if the contractor leverages their established position. Furthermore, a single contractor may have less incentive to innovate or improve service quality beyond the contract's minimum requirements. Robust oversight, contingency planning (e.g., identifying alternative providers), and clear performance standards in the contract are crucial mitigation strategies.

What is the track record of Devens Recycling Center, LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for waste management services?

Assessing the track record of Devens Recycling Center, LLC is vital for understanding their reliability and performance history with federal contracts. While the provided data confirms they were awarded this specific Delivery Order, it does not detail their past performance. A thorough review would involve examining their contract history within the federal procurement system (e.g., through SAM.gov or FPDS-NG) for previous awards, contract values, and performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS). Key areas to investigate include on-time delivery, quality of service, adherence to regulatory requirements, and any history of disputes or corrective actions. A positive performance history with similar waste management contracts would increase confidence in their ability to fulfill the current requirement effectively and efficiently, while any negative history would warrant closer scrutiny and potentially stronger oversight measures.

How does the duration and value of this contract align with typical waste management contracts for federal facilities of similar size?

This contract has a duration of approximately 188 days (from Oct 1, 2025, to Apr 7, 2026) and a value of $34,783.12. This suggests a relatively short-term or task-order-based approach for a specific period within FY26, rather than a multi-year comprehensive waste management agreement. Federal facilities, especially correctional institutions, generate significant waste, and long-term contracts are common for ensuring consistent service. The value per day is approximately $185. Whether this aligns with typical contracts depends heavily on the specific waste generation rates and service scope. Smaller facilities or those with less waste might have contracts of this duration and value. Larger facilities often have contracts running for multiple years with significantly higher total values, potentially including comprehensive recycling, hazardous waste disposal, and more frequent pickups. This specific award might be a bridge contract, a specific service order under a larger IDIQ, or for a facility with lower waste output.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Treatment and Disposal › Solid Waste Landfill

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15B20523Q00000036

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Republic Services Inc

Address: 45 INDEPENDENCE DR, DEVENS, MA, 01434

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,783

Exercised Options: $34,783

Current Obligation: $34,783

Actual Outlays: $21,284

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B20523D00000144

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline