VA awards $1.5M landfill services contract to County of Charleston for 1 year

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $152,880 ($152.9K)

Contractor: County of Charleston

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-01-01

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $419/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LANDFILL USER FEES

Place of Performance

Location: CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29401

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $152,880 to COUNTY OF CHARLESTON for work described as: LANDFILL USER FEES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for landfill services in the Charleston area. 2. Limited competition due to sole-source award raises questions about price optimization. 3. Potential risk of cost overruns if market rates increase significantly during the contract term. 4. Performance context is straightforward: provision of essential waste disposal services. 5. This contract falls within the broader 'Other' services sector for the VA. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.53 million for one year of landfill services seems within a reasonable range for a government entity in a metropolitan area. However, without specific details on the volume of waste or the types of materials being disposed of, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for landfill services in South Carolina or other regions would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive. The lack of competition, as noted below, limits the ability to definitively assess if the best possible price was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required goods or services, or in specific emergency situations. The lack of competition means that the VA did not benefit from the price discovery that typically occurs in a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to a higher price than might have been achieved otherwise.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. Without multiple offers, it's difficult to ensure the most cost-effective solution was secured.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Veterans Affairs, ensuring proper waste disposal for its facilities. Services delivered include the landfilling of solid waste generated by VA operations. The geographic impact is localized to the Charleston, South Carolina area. Workforce implications are minimal, as the service is provided by the County of Charleston's existing infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential taxpayer savings.
Lack of performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess service quality.
Contract duration of one year may not reflect long-term waste management needs.

Positive Signals

Award to a local government entity (County of Charleston) may indicate a stable and reliable service provider.
The contract ensures essential waste disposal services are met for the VA.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the VA within the contract term.

Sector Analysis

Landfill services, categorized under solid waste management, are a critical component of public infrastructure and environmental services. The market for these services is often localized due to the physical nature of landfills and transportation costs. Government contracts for such services are common, with procurement methods varying based on necessity and market availability. The VA's spending in this area is essential for operational compliance and environmental responsibility.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside. The award to the County of Charleston, a government entity, means that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific contract are unlikely. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore negligible for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the purchase order, ensuring timely and proper waste disposal. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award; however, the contract details should be publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Solid Waste Management Services
Environmental Services Contracts
Government Facility Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Potential for price increases if market conditions change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $152,880 to COUNTY OF CHARLESTON. LANDFILL USER FEES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COUNTY OF CHARLESTON.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $152,880.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-01. End: 2024-12-31.

What is the typical cost range for landfill services for a federal agency of this size in the Charleston, SC region?

Determining the precise typical cost range for landfill services for a federal agency in the Charleston, SC region without more specific data is challenging. Factors such as the volume and type of waste (municipal solid waste, hazardous waste, construction debris), tipping fees, transportation distances, and specific service requirements (e.g., recycling, composting) significantly influence costs. However, a $1.53 million contract for one year suggests a substantial volume of waste. For context, municipal contracts for landfill services can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually depending on the scale of operations. Given this is a sole-source award to a county entity, the pricing might reflect established rates rather than competitive market pricing. A more detailed analysis would require comparing this contract's per-ton or per-cubic-yard cost against publicly available data for similar municipal or federal contracts in the region, adjusted for service scope and volume.

What are the specific performance standards and metrics associated with this landfill services contract?

The provided data does not include specific performance standards or metrics for this landfill services contract. Typically, such contracts would outline requirements related to waste acceptance, disposal procedures, environmental compliance (e.g., leachate management, gas control), site maintenance, reporting frequency, and response times for issues. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would have established these standards within the purchase order to ensure the County of Charleston meets its obligations. Without access to the full contract document, it is impossible to detail these metrics. However, for a service of this nature, key performance indicators would likely focus on regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and environmental protection to ensure the safe and responsible disposal of waste generated by VA facilities.

Has the VA previously contracted with the County of Charleston for landfill services, and what has been the historical spending?

Based on the provided data, this is a new award for landfill services to the County of Charleston by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The data indicates a single purchase order with a start date of January 1, 2024, and an end date of December 31, 2024, totaling $1,528,800. There is no historical spending information available in this dataset to indicate prior contracts between the VA and the County of Charleston for these specific services. Further investigation into federal procurement databases like FPDS or USASpending would be necessary to determine if similar contracts existed in previous fiscal years or if this represents a new arrangement for waste management.

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

The justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis is not explicitly provided in the abbreviated data. However, sole-source procurements are typically justified under specific circumstances outlined in federal acquisition regulations (FAR). Common reasons include that only one responsible source can provide the required supply or service, or that the agency is the sole agency authorized to acquire the property or service. For landfill services, a sole-source award might be justified if the County of Charleston operates the only landfill within a practical distance that meets the VA's specific needs and regulatory requirements, or if there are unique logistical or environmental considerations that only their facility can address. The VA would have documented the specific justification in accordance with FAR Part 6.

What is the estimated volume or weight of waste this contract is expected to handle annually?

The provided data does not specify the estimated volume or weight of waste this contract is expected to handle annually. The total contract value is $1,528,800 for a one-year period. To estimate the volume or weight, one would need to know the average tipping fee or cost per ton/cubic yard charged by the County of Charleston. For example, if the average tipping fee was $50 per ton, this contract would imply approximately 30,576 tons of waste annually (1,528,800 / 50). If the fee was $100 per ton, it would imply about 15,288 tons. Without the specific rate structure or an explicit quantity in the contract, this remains an estimation based on assumed pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Treatment and Disposal › Solid Waste Landfill

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C24724Q0117

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4045 BRIDGE VIEW DR # A225, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC, 29405

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $258,960

Exercised Options: $152,880

Current Obligation: $152,880

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline