DOJ's $12.6M Grease Trap Contract Awarded to Tucson Tallow Co. for Federal Prisons

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,600 ($12.6K)

Contractor: Tucson Tallow CO, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 A1 TUCSON TALLOW GREASE TRAP

Place of Performance

Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85705

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $12,600 to TUCSON TALLOW CO, INC for work described as: FY26 A1 TUCSON TALLOW GREASE TRAP Key points: 1. The contract value is $12.6 million over one year. 2. Competition details are limited, but it was competed under SAP. 3. Potential risks include reliance on a single supplier and price fluctuations. 4. The sector is primarily services, specifically waste management/rendering.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12.6 million for a one-year grease trap service seems high for the described service. Benchmarking against similar municipal or commercial contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

Competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a less robust competition than full and open. This method may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: The $12.6 million expenditure represents taxpayer funds allocated for essential facility maintenance services.

Public Impact

Ensures sanitary conditions at federal correctional facilities. Supports essential waste management operations within the Bureau of Prisons. Impacts local economy through service provision in Arizona.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Potential for price volatility in tallow/grease market
Single awardee for a critical service

Positive Signals

Addresses a necessary operational requirement
Fixed price contract provides some cost certainty

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under general facility maintenance and specialized waste management services. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on location, facility size, and specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is Tucson Tallow Co., Inc. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting in this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons. Standard contract administration and performance monitoring processes would apply.

Related Government Programs

Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for price inflation due to market volatility
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical service
Limited transparency in pricing due to SAP competition
Contract duration may not align with long-term needs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $12,600 to TUCSON TALLOW CO, INC. FY26 A1 TUCSON TALLOW GREASE TRAP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TUCSON TALLOW CO, 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 $12,600.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the justification for the high contract value given the service description?

The contract value of $12.6 million for grease trap services requires further justification. Factors such as the number of facilities served, frequency of service, volume of waste, and specific processing requirements could contribute to this cost. A detailed breakdown of service components and associated costs is needed to validate the expenditure.

What are the risks associated with limited competition under SAP for this service?

Limited competition under SAP increases the risk of suboptimal pricing and reduced innovation. It may prevent the government from accessing potentially better value or more efficient service providers. The agency should ensure that SAP procedures were appropriately utilized and that a fair price was negotiated despite the limited bidding pool.

How effectively does this contract ensure consistent and sanitary grease trap maintenance across all relevant federal facilities?

The effectiveness hinges on the contractor's performance and the Bureau of Prisons' oversight. Consistent service delivery, adherence to sanitary standards, and timely response to maintenance needs are crucial. Performance metrics and regular inspections will be key indicators of the contract's success in maintaining facility hygiene.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Animal Slaughtering and Processing › Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3928 N FAIRVIEW AVE, TUCSON, AZ, 85705

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,600

Exercised Options: $12,600

Current Obligation: $12,600

Actual Outlays: $6,300

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline