EPA Awards $158K for Duluth Communication System, Competition Limited

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $158,485 ($158.5K)

Contractor: MG Facility Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2026-02-26

End Date: 2026-05-07

Contract Duration: 70 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: Y1NZ - DULUTH ENHANCE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PROJECT IN PREPARATION FOR PLANNED TRANSITION, EDDP, AND CONSTRUCTION.

Place of Performance

Location: DULUTH, SAINT LOUIS County, MINNESOTA, 55804

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $158,485.42 to MG FACILITY SERVICES, LLC for work described as: Y1NZ - DULUTH ENHANCE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PROJECT IN PREPARATION FOR PLANNED TRANSITION, EDDP, AND CONSTRUCTION. Key points: 1. Project aims to enhance communication systems for planned transitions and construction. 2. Contract awarded to MG FACILITY SERVICES, LLC. 3. Limited competition raises questions about price discovery and potential value. 4. Spending falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award amount of $158,485.42 is for a delivery order with a firm fixed price. Without more detailed cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar communication system enhancements, assessing the value is difficult. The limited competition further complicates a robust value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited procurement approach. This lack of open competition may have restricted price discovery and potentially led to a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is currently unclear due to limited competition, but it is a relatively small award amount.

Public Impact

Enhances critical communication infrastructure for EPA operations in Duluth. Supports upcoming facility transitions and construction projects. Ensures operational continuity and efficiency through system upgrades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of detailed cost justification

Positive Signals

Clear project objective
Defined contract period

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a broad sector. Benchmarks for similar communication system upgrades within federal facilities are not readily available, making direct comparison challenging.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific award, as it was not competed. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation is a factor in broader EPA contracting within this sector.

Oversight & Accountability

The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations should apply, but the limited competition warrants closer scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for overpricing due to lack of competition
Lack of transparency in procurement justification
Unclear performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $158,485.42 to MG FACILITY SERVICES, LLC. Y1NZ - DULUTH ENHANCE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PROJECT IN PREPARATION FOR PLANNED TRANSITION, EDDP, AND CONSTRUCTION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MG FACILITY SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $158,485.42.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-26. End: 2026-05-07.

What specific communication enhancements are included in this project, and how do they align with the planned transitions and construction?

The data does not specify the exact communication enhancements. However, the project's purpose is to upgrade systems in preparation for planned transitions and construction activities at the Duluth facility. This likely includes improvements to voice, data, or network infrastructure to support new operational requirements or physical changes to the building.

What is the justification for limiting competition on this contract, and were alternative procurement methods considered?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' but does not offer the specific justification. Typically, justifications for limited competition include factors like urgent and compelling needs, unique capabilities of a sole provider, or specific government property requirements. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess the validity of the limited competition.

How will the effectiveness of the enhanced communication system be measured and validated post-completion?

The data does not detail the metrics for measuring effectiveness. Post-completion validation would typically involve performance testing, user feedback, and verification that the system meets the specified technical requirements outlined in the contract's statement of work. The EPA's contracting officer and technical representatives would be responsible for this oversight.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 68HERC26R0019

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1600 UTICA AVE S, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55416

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $158,485

Exercised Options: $158,485

Current Obligation: $158,485

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC23D0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline