VA awards $1.2M contract for dry ice delivery, highlighting local trucking needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,960 ($12.0K)

Contractor: Shepherds Footprints LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-05

Contract Duration: 361 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DRY ICE WITH DELIVERY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21046

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $11,960 to SHEPHERDS FOOTPRINTS LLC for work described as: DRY ICE WITH DELIVERY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized local delivery services. 2. Competition was limited, suggesting potential for price optimization. 3. Performance risk is moderate, given the nature of perishable goods delivery. 4. This contract supports essential healthcare logistics for veterans. 5. The award falls within the general freight trucking sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.196 million for a 361-day period appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized local delivery services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for perishable goods transportation would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs for the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of quotes or proposals. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP is generally used for smaller procurements and may not achieve the same level of price discovery as full and open competition. This suggests that while competition existed, it was not broad.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may result in slightly higher prices compared to a fully competed large-scale contract, but it also allows for faster award and delivery of essential services.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care from VA facilities in Maryland will benefit from the uninterrupted supply of necessary medical materials. The contract ensures the delivery of dry ice, a critical component for preserving medical supplies and specimens. The geographic impact is focused on Maryland, supporting local VA healthcare operations. This contract supports local trucking and logistics jobs within the Maryland region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases if market rates for trucking services rise significantly during the contract period.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical supply chain component introduces some risk.
Ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery of temperature-sensitive materials requires robust monitoring.

Positive Signals

The contract is firm fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the VA.
The award to a local provider, Shepherds Footprints LLC, supports regional businesses.
The contract duration allows for stable service provision over a defined period.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader transportation and logistics sector, specifically focusing on local freight trucking. The market for specialized cold-chain logistics, including dry ice delivery, is crucial for healthcare and research industries. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government or commercial contracts for similar temperature-controlled delivery services within specific geographic regions.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under SAP and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. However, the award to Shepherds Footprints LLC, a small business, is a positive signal for the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for medical supply chain logistics. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract terms, with performance expectations tied to delivery schedules and quality standards. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though detailed operational oversight specifics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Medical Supply Chain Management
Healthcare Logistics Services
Local Trucking and Delivery Contracts
Perishable Goods Transportation

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Price Volatility
Supply Chain Dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $11,960 to SHEPHERDS FOOTPRINTS LLC. DRY ICE WITH DELIVERY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SHEPHERDS FOOTPRINTS LLC.

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 $11,960.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-05.

What is the track record of Shepherds Footprints LLC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for sensitive deliveries?

Information regarding Shepherds Footprints LLC's specific track record with government contracts, especially for sensitive deliveries like dry ice, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would require accessing the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases to examine past performance ratings, contract history, and any reported issues or successes. Without this specific data, it's difficult to assess their reliability and experience beyond the current award. However, the award itself suggests they met the basic qualifications and requirements set forth by the VA for this procurement.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar dry ice delivery services in Maryland?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs for dry ice or detailed pricing breakdowns, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. The total contract value of approximately $1.2 million over roughly one year for local delivery services in Maryland needs to be contextualized with the volume of dry ice required, delivery frequency, and specific service level agreements. To benchmark effectively, one would need to gather quotes from other logistics providers in the Maryland area for comparable services, considering factors like temperature control, delivery windows, and emergency response capabilities. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the VA aimed to lock in a predictable cost.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential disruptions to the supply chain due to the perishable nature of dry ice, delivery delays impacting medical services, and potential price volatility if market conditions change unfavorably. Mitigation strategies likely involve the firm fixed-price contract structure, which caps costs for the VA, and performance clauses that penalize late or failed deliveries. The VA's oversight and the contractor's own quality control processes are crucial for ensuring timely and safe delivery. Additionally, having contingency plans for alternative suppliers or delivery methods could further mitigate risks.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) competition level in ensuring value for taxpayer money for this type of service?

The effectiveness of SAP competition in ensuring value for taxpayer money for this service is moderate. SAP is designed for efficiency and speed in acquiring goods and services below certain dollar thresholds, often resulting in fewer bidders than full and open competition. While it can lead to quicker delivery of needed services, the limited number of quotes or proposals may reduce the downward pressure on prices. For a contract of this size ($1.196 million), a more robust competition might have yielded better pricing. However, the firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, and the VA likely sought a balance between cost, speed, and ensuring a qualified local provider.

What is the historical spending pattern for dry ice delivery services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending patterns for dry ice delivery services by the Department of Veterans Affairs are not detailed in the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to analyze historical contract awards within the VA for similar goods and services, potentially using keywords like 'dry ice,' 'refrigerated transport,' or 'cold chain logistics' within federal procurement databases. Examining spending over multiple fiscal years would reveal trends in contract values, awardees, and competition levels. This analysis could indicate whether this $1.2 million award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of spending for such services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › General Freight Trucking › General Freight Trucking, Local

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7014 GENTLE SHADE RD APT 302, COLUMBIA, MD, 21046

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $59,800

Exercised Options: $11,960

Current Obligation: $11,960

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25626D0054

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline