DOJ's $10.4K sewer backup contract awarded to Wind River Environmental, highlighting potential for sole-source awards in specialized services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,376 ($10.4K)

Contractor: Wind River Environmental, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-02

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 - WIND RIVER - USP1 SEWER BACK UP

Place of Performance

Location: MARLBOROUGH, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01752

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $10,376.13 to WIND RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC for work described as: FY26 - WIND RIVER - USP1 SEWER BACK UP Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focus on localized or specific needs. 2. Awarded as a purchase order, indicating a streamlined procurement process for a defined service. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The absence of competition raises questions about potential cost savings and market responsiveness. 5. The service falls under nonhazardous waste treatment, a critical but often overlooked infrastructure need. 6. The short duration suggests this is a task-order or a one-time need rather than a long-term service agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10,376.13 is modest. Without comparable contract data for similar sewer backup services within the Federal Prison System, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. However, the sole-source nature of the award means there was no direct price comparison through competition. The firm fixed-price structure offers predictability, but the absence of competitive bidding prevents an assessment of whether this price represents the best market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded using a sole-source procurement method, meaning it was not competed. The data indicates it was a purchase order, and the 'NOT COMPETED' status explicitly states the lack of competitive bidding. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source is available or when the urgency of the need precludes competition. The limited competition means the government did not benefit from multiple offers to drive down prices or improve service offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is a higher risk of paying a premium compared to a competitively bid contract. Without multiple bids, it's harder to ensure the price reflects true market value and efficiency.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Prison System, ensuring operational continuity by addressing essential sanitation infrastructure. The service delivered is the treatment and disposal of nonhazardous waste, specifically related to sewer backup issues. The geographic impact is localized to the facility managed by the Federal Prison System in Massachusetts. There are no direct workforce implications mentioned, as this is a service contract likely performed by the contractor's existing staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can indicate potential market failures or insufficient planning.
Reliance on a single vendor could pose risks if the vendor experiences performance issues or capacity constraints.

Positive Signals

Awarding a purchase order suggests a potentially efficient and rapid procurement process for an immediate need.
The firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for this specific service.
Addressing critical infrastructure needs like sewer systems ensures the proper functioning of federal facilities.

Sector Analysis

The waste management sector, particularly nonhazardous waste treatment and disposal (NAICS 562219), is a critical component of public infrastructure maintenance. Federal agencies often contract for these services to ensure the operational integrity of their facilities. While specific spending benchmarks for sewer backup services are not readily available, the broader waste management industry is substantial. This contract represents a small, specialized expenditure within this sector, likely addressing an urgent or localized need for the Bureau of Prisons.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The contractor, Wind River Environmental, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this specific award. Therefore, this contract does not directly contribute to the federal small business contracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons contracting and facility management officials. As a purchase order, it is likely subject to internal agency review and approval processes. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the relatively small dollar value, which may not trigger extensive public reporting or IG involvement unless specific issues arise. The contract's fixed-price nature simplifies some oversight by defining the scope and cost upfront.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Operations
Bureau of Prisons Facility Maintenance
Environmental Services Contracts
Waste Management Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $10,376.13 to WIND RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC. FY26 - WIND RIVER - USP1 SEWER BACK UP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WIND RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL, 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 $10,376.13.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-02.

What is the typical cost for emergency sewer backup services for federal facilities of similar size?

Determining the typical cost for emergency sewer backup services for federal facilities is challenging without more specific data. Factors such as geographic location, the severity of the backup, the type of facility, and the required response time significantly influence pricing. For a small purchase order like this one ($10,376.13), it suggests a localized or contained issue. Larger, more complex federal facilities might incur costs ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars for significant sewer system failures, including emergency response, pumping, line clearing, and potentially minor repairs. The absence of competition for this specific award means a direct cost comparison to market rates is not possible, but the value is likely assessed against the urgency and operational necessity of resolving the backup promptly to prevent further damage or disruption.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis ('NOT COMPETED') likely due to specific circumstances that limited the availability of alternative providers or precluded a competitive bidding process. Common reasons for sole-source awards include urgent and compelling needs where a delay for competition would cause significant financial or operational damage, situations where only one vendor possesses the unique capability or expertise required, or if the contract value falls below the threshold for mandatory competition and it's deemed more efficient to award directly. For specialized services like emergency sewer backup response, a local vendor with immediate availability and the necessary equipment might be the only practical option in a time-sensitive situation. The specific justification for this sole-source award would be documented in the contract file.

What is the track record of Wind River Environmental, LLC with federal contracts?

Information regarding Wind River Environmental, LLC's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data snippet. This award is a single purchase order for a relatively small amount. To assess their broader federal contracting history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. These databases would reveal the number of contracts awarded, their values, the agencies involved, and performance history, if publicly available. Without this broader context, it's difficult to gauge their experience, reliability, or past performance specifically within the federal sector beyond this single transaction.

How does this spending compare to overall federal spending on waste management?

This contract's value of $10,376.13 is extremely small when compared to the overall federal spending on waste management. Federal agencies collectively spend billions of dollars annually on a wide range of services, including waste collection, disposal, recycling, hazardous waste management, and specialized environmental services. This particular award represents a micro-expenditure, likely addressing a very specific, localized, and potentially urgent need for sewer backup services at a single Bureau of Prisons facility. It is not indicative of broader trends or significant investments in the waste management sector but rather a routine operational expense for facility maintenance.

What are the risks associated with relying on a sole-source provider for essential services like sewer maintenance?

Relying on a sole-source provider for essential services like sewer maintenance carries several risks. Firstly, there's a significant risk of inflated pricing, as the absence of competition removes the incentive for the vendor to offer the most competitive rates. Secondly, service quality could potentially decline over time if the vendor becomes complacent, knowing they are the only option. Thirdly, operational continuity is jeopardized; if the sole-source vendor experiences financial difficulties, equipment failures, or staffing shortages, the agency may face prolonged service disruptions. Finally, there's a lack of innovation, as the vendor may not be motivated to introduce more efficient or cost-effective methods. For critical infrastructure like sewer systems, these risks can lead to higher long-term costs and potential facility operational issues.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Treatment and Disposal › Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal

Product/Service Code: PLUMBING, HEATING, WASTE DISPOSAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 46 LIZOTTE DR, MARLBOROUGH, MA, 01752

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,376

Exercised Options: $10,376

Current Obligation: $10,376

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline