State Dept. Pays $524K for 6-Day Milan Olympics Water Taxi Service
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $52,407 ($52.4K)
Contractor: Bucintoro Viaggi S.R.L.
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2026-03-04
End Date: 2026-03-10
Contract Duration: 6 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: MILAN - OLY PARAOLYMPICS OPENING - DEDICATED WATER TAXI
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $52,406.6 to BUCINTORO VIAGGI S.R.L. for work described as: MILAN - OLY PARAOLYMPICS OPENING - DEDICATED WATER TAXI Key points: 1. High per-day cost for a short-term service. 2. Sole-source procurement limits price discovery. 3. Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition. 4. Transportation sector, niche service for a specific event.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The price of $524,066.60 for a 6-day service appears high, averaging over $87,000 per day. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess fair market value.
Cost Per Unit: $87,344.44
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This significantly limits price discovery and may lead to a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying for this specialized transportation due to the lack of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Direct cost to taxpayers for event logistics. Potential for similar high-cost, non-competitive contracts for future events. Transparency concerns regarding sole-source procurements for high-profile events.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- High per-day cost
- Short-term, specialized service
Positive Signals
- Service provided for a major international event
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Inland Water Passenger Transportation sector. Benchmarks for similar short-term, event-specific water taxi services are scarce, but the daily rate is exceptionally high.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, BUCINTORO VIAGGI S.R.L., is not identified as a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were considered or solicited for this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State awarded this contract. Oversight should focus on the justification for a sole-source award and the reasonableness of the price for such a short duration.
Related Government Programs
- Inland Water Passenger Transportation
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- High unit cost
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited transparency
- No small business consideration
Tags
inland-water-passenger-transportation, department-of-state, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $52,406.6 to BUCINTORO VIAGGI S.R.L.. MILAN - OLY PARAOLYMPICS OPENING - DEDICATED WATER TAXI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BUCINTORO VIAGGI S.R.L..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $52,406.6.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-03-04. End: 2026-03-10.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award is critical. Typically, this is reserved for situations where only one vendor can provide the required service due to unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without this justification, the lack of competition raises significant concerns about price reasonableness and taxpayer value.
How does the per-day cost compare to standard water taxi services in similar regions?
The per-day cost of approximately $87,344 is exceptionally high compared to standard commercial water taxi rates, even in major European cities. This suggests either a highly specialized service requirement or a significant premium due to the non-competitive nature of the award and the event context.
What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of this specialized transportation service?
Given the sole-source nature and high cost, effectiveness and efficiency are paramount. Oversight should confirm that the service meets all logistical requirements for the Olympic Games opening, including punctuality, capacity, and safety, and that the vendor is held accountable for performance metrics outlined in the purchase order.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Inland Water Transportation › Inland Water Passenger Transportation
Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS
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: SES SAN MARCO 4267/A, VENEZIA
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $52,407
Exercised Options: $52,407
Current Obligation: $52,407
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-03-04
Current End Date: 2026-03-10
Potential End Date: 2026-03-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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