Justice Dept. awards $281K wastewater pumping contract to Low Brow Enterprises LLC for 122 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,100 ($28.1K)

Contractor: LOW Brow Enterprises LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-01-31

Contract Duration: 122 days

Daily Burn Rate: $230/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WASTEWATER PUMPING

Place of Performance

Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85086

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $28,100 to LOW BROW ENTERPRISES LLC for work described as: WASTEWATER PUMPING Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about potential value for money. 2. Limited competition suggests potential for higher pricing than in a more open market. 3. The short duration of the contract may indicate a need for immediate service or a pilot program. 4. The service category, septic tank and related services, is essential for facility operations. 5. Awarded as a purchase order, which typically signifies smaller, less complex acquisitions. 6. The firm fixed price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value is difficult to assess without comparable data for wastewater pumping services in Arizona. Given the lack of competition, it's possible that the price is not optimized. The firm fixed price structure offers predictability, but the absence of competitive bidding prevents a robust value-for-money analysis against market benchmarks. Further investigation into the necessity and scope of services would be needed to determine if the $281,000 represents a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is listed as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', implying a sole-source or limited competition award. The absence of a competitive process means that multiple vendors were not solicited, which can lead to less favorable pricing and limited innovation. The government may have justified this approach due to specific circumstances, but transparency regarding the justification is crucial.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competitive pressure to drive down costs. Without a bidding process, there's less assurance that the government secured the best possible price for these essential services.

Public Impact

The Federal Prison System in Arizona will benefit from essential wastewater pumping services. Ensures operational continuity and sanitation at correctional facilities. The contract directly supports the maintenance of critical infrastructure within the Bureau of Prisons. Impacts the daily operations and living conditions within the facilities served.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award raises concerns about the government's ability to secure the best value.
Limited transparency on the justification for not competing the contract.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded to a company with a specific NAICS code designation (562991).
Contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for planning.

Sector Analysis

The wastewater management sector, particularly for specialized services like septic tank and pumping, is a critical component of infrastructure maintenance for government facilities. While specific market size data for federal wastewater pumping contracts is not readily available, the need for such services is constant across various government agencies. This contract fits within the broader environmental services and facility maintenance categories, where competition can vary significantly based on the complexity and location of the required services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside component. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The lack of small business participation in this specific award does not necessarily reflect the overall small business utilization by the Department of Justice, but it represents a missed opportunity for small business engagement on this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order, oversight is typically managed through the contracting officer's representative (COR) and the agency's procurement office. The Bureau of Prisons within the Department of Justice is responsible for ensuring contract performance and compliance. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the performance monitoring process would enhance accountability. Inspector General involvement would typically be triggered by allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Operations
Bureau of Prisons Facilities Management
Department of Justice Procurement

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Limited Transparency on Justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $28,100 to LOW BROW ENTERPRISES LLC. WASTEWATER PUMPING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOW BROW ENTERPRISES 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 $28,100.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-01-31.

What is the typical cost range for wastewater pumping services for a federal facility of similar size and location?

Determining the typical cost range for wastewater pumping services for a federal facility of similar size and location is challenging without more specific details about the facility's needs, the volume of wastewater, and the frequency of pumping required. However, general market data for commercial wastewater pumping services can provide a benchmark. For instance, residential septic tank pumping can range from $300 to $800 per service, while commercial services, which are typically larger in scale and frequency, can cost significantly more, potentially running into thousands of dollars per month depending on the contract scope. Given this contract is for $281,000 over approximately four months (122 days), it suggests a substantial operational need, possibly for multiple facilities or a large central system. Without a competitive bid, it's difficult to ascertain if this price aligns with market rates for comparable government contracts.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which strongly suggests a sole-source or limited competition award. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or when the public exigency would not permit a delay incident to competition. For a contract of this nature (wastewater pumping), potential justifications could include a critical and immediate need at a specific facility where only one vendor possesses the necessary specialized equipment, expertise, or proximity, or if existing infrastructure requires services from a specific, pre-qualified provider. However, the specific justification for this award is not detailed in the provided data and would typically be documented within the contract file by the contracting officer.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract for essential services like wastewater pumping?

Sole-source contracts for essential services like wastewater pumping carry several potential risks. Primarily, the lack of competition can lead to higher costs for the government, as the contractor faces no pressure to offer competitive pricing. This can result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for the services. Secondly, there's a risk of reduced service quality or innovation, as the contractor may have less incentive to go above and beyond when they are guaranteed the business. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process, potentially limiting opportunities for other qualified businesses. Finally, over-reliance on a single provider could create vulnerabilities if that provider experiences operational issues, financial instability, or decides to cease operations.

How does the firm fixed price (FFP) contract type impact the risk and cost certainty for this wastewater pumping service?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally considered advantageous for the government when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of cost overruns are relatively low. For wastewater pumping services, an FFP contract means that Low Brow Enterprises LLC is obligated to perform the work for the agreed-upon price of $281,000, regardless of their actual costs. This provides significant cost certainty for the Department of Justice, as they know the maximum expenditure upfront. The risk of cost overruns is borne by the contractor. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently to maximize profit. However, if the scope of work is underestimated or unforeseen issues arise that significantly increase the contractor's costs, the contractor might be tempted to cut corners on service quality to maintain profitability, which is a risk the government must monitor.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 562991 (Septic Tank and Related Services) in understanding this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562991, 'Septic Tank and Related Services,' is crucial for understanding the nature of the services being procured. This code specifically identifies businesses engaged in pumping out septic tanks, grease traps, and portable toilets, as well as cleaning and maintaining septic systems. By assigning this code, the government is indicating that the contract is for specialized services related to waste management and sanitation, distinct from general plumbing or larger-scale municipal wastewater treatment. This classification helps in identifying potential contractors with the appropriate expertise and equipment, and it also aids in benchmarking costs against similar services within the industry, although specific federal contract data for this niche can be limited.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Septic Tank and Related Services

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

Address: 2274 N MAIN DR, APACHE JUNCTION, AZ, 85120

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,100

Exercised Options: $28,100

Current Obligation: $28,100

Actual Outlays: $19,306

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline