DOJ's Bureau of Prisons to Pay $2.85M for Landfill Services in Vermont
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,550 ($28.6K)
Contractor: Casella Waste Management Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-01-13
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 625 days
Daily Burn Rate: $46/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TIPPING FEES - LANDFILL FOR FY 26
Place of Performance
Location: WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, WINDSOR County, VERMONT, 05001
State: Vermont Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $28,550 to CASELLA WASTE MANAGEMENT INC for work described as: TIPPING FEES - LANDFILL FOR FY 26 Key points: 1. High cost for landfill services in Vermont. 2. Sole-source procurement limits price discovery. 3. Potential for cost savings through competition. 4. Sector: Solid Waste Management.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The firm fixed price of $2.85M for landfill services over 625 days appears high given the lack of competition. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more data, but the absence of competitive bidding raises concerns about value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a sole-source or limited competition procurement. This significantly hinders price discovery and may lead to inflated costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition suggests taxpayers may be overpaying for essential landfill services.
Public Impact
Ensures waste disposal for federal facilities in Vermont. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award. Impacts local environmental services and waste management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source procurement
- Lack of price competition
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Ensures essential service delivery
- Firm fixed price contract
Sector Analysis
The solid waste landfill sector involves managing and disposing of waste. Federal spending in this area is crucial for maintaining operations, but competitive bidding is essential to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or had the capacity to bid.
Oversight & Accountability
The Bureau of Prisons' procurement process for this service warrants oversight to ensure fair pricing and adherence to competition regulations, especially given the sole-source nature.
Related Government Programs
- Solid Waste Landfill
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited transparency in pricing
Tags
solid-waste-landfill, department-of-justice, vt, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $28,550 to CASELLA WASTE MANAGEMENT INC. TIPPING FEES - LANDFILL FOR FY 26
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CASELLA WASTE MANAGEMENT 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 $28,550.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-01-13. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the benchmark cost for similar landfill services in Vermont or the surrounding region?
Benchmarking landfill tipping fees requires detailed analysis of contract terms, volume, service levels, and geographic location. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable federal or state contracts, providing an exact benchmark is challenging. However, typical tipping fees can range from $40 to $100 per ton, depending on the landfill's capabilities and location. The total contract value of $2.85M over approximately 20 months suggests a significant volume or a premium price.
What are the risks associated with a sole-source procurement for essential waste management services?
Sole-source procurement for essential services like waste management carries significant risks. The primary risk is paying a non-competitive, potentially inflated price, as the vendor faces no pressure to offer the best value. It also limits opportunities for innovative solutions or better service offerings from other providers. Furthermore, it can create a perception of favoritism and reduce overall government efficiency and accountability in spending.
How can the Bureau of Prisons ensure cost-effectiveness and value for money in future landfill service contracts?
To ensure cost-effectiveness, the Bureau of Prisons should prioritize competitive bidding processes for future landfill contracts. This involves clearly defining service requirements, conducting thorough market research to identify potential bidders, and using robust evaluation criteria. Exploring options for longer-term contracts with performance incentives or consolidating needs across multiple facilities could also yield economies of scale and better pricing.
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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Address: 1544 WOODSTOCK RD, WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT, 05001
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,550
Exercised Options: $28,550
Current Obligation: $28,550
Actual Outlays: $10,550
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-01-13
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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