DOJ awards $266K contract for grease trap services to Waters Septic Tank Service, serving federal prisons in Nevada

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,660 ($26.7K)

Contractor: Waters Septic Tank Service

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WATERS GREASE TRAPS PUMP

Place of Performance

Location: RENO, WASHOE County, NEVADA, 89511

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $26,660 to WATERS SEPTIC TANK SERVICE for work described as: WATERS GREASE TRAPS PUMP Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized waste management services. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific service niche warrant further investigation. 3. Performance risk is moderate, given the essential nature of the service. 4. Contract duration aligns with typical service agreements for facility maintenance. 5. This contract falls within the broader waste management and environmental services sector. 6. Small business participation is not explicitly detailed in the award notice.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $266,600 for a 364-day period for grease trap pumping and waste management services seems within a reasonable range for specialized environmental services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for federal facilities in similar geographic locations would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for procurements below a certain threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages broad participation. This level of competition is expected to yield fair market pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests that competitive pricing was sought, which is beneficial for taxpayer funds by ensuring the government does not overpay for essential services.

Public Impact

Federal inmates and staff at Bureau of Prisons facilities in Nevada will benefit from maintained sanitation and operational plumbing systems. The service ensures compliance with environmental regulations related to wastewater and grease trap maintenance. Geographic impact is concentrated within Nevada, specifically serving federal correctional institutions. The contract supports a private sector service provider, potentially creating or sustaining local jobs in the waste management sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics in the award notice.
Potential for service disruptions if the contractor faces operational challenges.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical facility service.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overrun risk for the government.
Contract duration provides stability for service provision.
Competition under SAP suggests a market-driven price was likely achieved.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the broader environmental services and waste management industry, specifically focusing on specialized services like grease trap maintenance. This sector is crucial for public health and environmental compliance. Comparable spending in this sector often involves recurring service contracts for facilities management across various government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The award notice does not indicate if this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor does it detail subcontracting plans. Further review would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and facility managers. Performance monitoring and invoice verification are standard accountability measures. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Maintenance Contracts
Environmental Services Contracts
Waste Management Services
Facility Operations Support

Risk Flags

Essential Service Dependency
Potential for Service Interruption
Environmental Compliance Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $26,660 to WATERS SEPTIC TANK SERVICE. WATERS GREASE TRAPS PUMP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WATERS SEPTIC TANK SERVICE.

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 $26,660.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of Waters Septic Tank Service with federal contracts?

Information regarding Waters Septic Tank Service's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would involve searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS-NG) for past awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar government entities or contract types would provide insight into their reliability and capability to fulfill this current agreement.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar services?

The awarded price of $266,600 for a 364-day contract for grease trap pumping and waste management services needs to be benchmarked against market rates. This involves researching average costs for similar services in Nevada, considering factors like frequency of service, volume of waste, and specific facility requirements. Without direct market comparisons or data on the number of service calls included, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests cost certainty for the government.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include potential service interruptions if the contractor experiences equipment failure or staffing shortages, which could impact facility sanitation and operations. There's also a risk related to contractor performance quality, ensuring the service meets all environmental and operational standards. Dependence on a single provider for a critical service introduces a level of vulnerability. The government's mitigation strategy likely involves performance monitoring and clear contractual remedies for deficiencies.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring fair pricing?

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally implies a competitive process for procurements below $250,000 (or higher thresholds depending on the year and agency). While the exact number of bidders isn't specified, SAP is designed to encourage competition and achieve fair market prices. The effectiveness is contingent on the number of capable vendors in the relevant geographic area and their willingness to bid. A higher number of bids typically leads to better price discovery.

What is the historical spending pattern for grease trap services at the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending data for grease trap services at the Federal Prison System (FPS) is not provided in this dataset. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) over previous fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, durations, awardees, and competition levels, helping to contextualize the current $266,600 award and identify any significant deviations or patterns in spending for these essential services.

Are there specific performance standards or KPIs tied to this contract?

The provided award data does not specify the performance standards or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract. Typically, such contracts would include detailed requirements regarding the frequency of pumping, waste disposal methods, response times for emergency calls, and compliance with environmental regulations. The Bureau of Prisons would monitor adherence to these standards, and contract performance would be evaluated accordingly. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary data warrants a review of the full contract document.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › All Other Miscellaneous Waste Management Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15B61922Q00000007

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4275 REWANA WAY, RENO, NV, 89502

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,660

Exercised Options: $26,660

Current Obligation: $26,660

Actual Outlays: $7,440

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B61922D00000141

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline