Smithsonian Institution Awards $27.6M for Marine BCI Fleet Parts, Sole-Source Purchase Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,593 ($27.6K)

Contractor: Brunswick Corp

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 22 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MERCURY SPARE PARTS MARINE BCI FLEET

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $27,593.16 to BRUNSWICK CORP for work described as: MERCURY SPARE PARTS MARINE BCI FLEET Key points: 1. High value contract for specialized marine parts. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and pricing. 3. Potential risk associated with limited vendor options. 4. Spending falls within the 'Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $27.6 million for spare parts is significant. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to market rates for similar marine engine components.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the Smithsonian Institution paying a premium for these essential spare parts, impacting overall taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Ensures operational readiness for the Smithsonian's marine fleet. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. Limited transparency on vendor selection process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment

Positive Signals

Ensures critical parts availability
Supports operational needs

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing,' a sector that can involve specialized and high-value components. Benchmarks are difficult without specific part details, but large sole-source awards warrant scrutiny.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small businesses in this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award suggests limited oversight in the procurement process. Further review would be needed to confirm if justification for sole-sourcing was adequately documented and approved.

Related Government Programs

Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing
Smithsonian Institution Contracting
Smithsonian Institution Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency on vendor selection
Potential supply chain vulnerability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $27,593.16 to BRUNSWICK CORP. MERCURY SPARE PARTS MARINE BCI FLEET

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRUNSWICK CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27,593.16.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the justification for this sole-source award, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical for understanding why competition was bypassed. Agencies must demonstrate that only one responsible source can provide the supplies or services. The process for determining fair and reasonable pricing in such cases typically involves historical price data, commercial item pricing, or independent government cost estimates, but the specifics for this contract are not provided.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single supplier for critical marine spare parts?

Relying on a single supplier for critical spare parts creates significant risks, including potential supply chain disruptions, price gouging, and lack of innovation. If the sole source experiences production issues or goes out of business, the Smithsonian's marine fleet could face extended downtime, impacting its operations and potentially leading to higher emergency procurement costs.

How does this spending align with the Smithsonian Institution's overall maintenance and operational budget for its marine assets?

Without access to the Smithsonian's detailed budget for marine asset maintenance, it's challenging to assess the alignment of this $27.6 million expenditure. However, a large sole-source award for spare parts warrants a review to ensure it represents an efficient use of funds and is not disproportionately impacting other critical operational or maintenance needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing › Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ENGINES AND TURBINES AND COMPONENT

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: W6250 W PIONEER RD, FOND DU LAC, WI, 54936

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,593

Exercised Options: $27,593

Current Obligation: $27,593

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline