DOT awards $258K for grease trap replacement, highlighting construction needs at FAA facilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,777 ($25.8K)

Contractor: Lieber Mechanical LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 147 days

Daily Burn Rate: $175/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: WO#25-016028 ARB REPLACE GREASE SEPT

Place of Performance

Location: YUKON, CANADIAN County, OKLAHOMA, 73099

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $25,777 to LIEBER MECHANICAL LLC for work described as: WO#25-016028 ARB REPLACE GREASE SEPT Key points: 1. Contract addresses essential facility maintenance, ensuring operational continuity. 2. Competition was open, suggesting a competitive bidding process for this service. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps control costs and manage budget predictability. 4. Short performance period indicates a focused, project-specific requirement. 5. Geographic focus on Oklahoma suggests localized facility support needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $257,777 for grease trap replacement appears reasonable for a project of this scope and duration. While specific benchmarks for grease trap replacement are not readily available, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor, LIEBER MECHANICAL LLC, has assessed the risks and costs associated with the work. Comparing this to similar commercial or institutional building maintenance contracts of comparable size and complexity would provide further context, but the amount does not immediately raise concerns about overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the initial intent might have involved specific exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific maintenance task. A higher number of bidders would typically lead to more aggressive pricing, but two bidders still provide a basis for price discovery and selection of a qualified contractor.

Taxpayer Impact: The open competition, even with two bidders, provides a degree of assurance to taxpayers that the price was vetted against market alternatives, preventing potential price gouging for essential facility services.

Public Impact

Benefits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by ensuring proper functioning of facilities. Services delivered include the replacement of grease traps, crucial for wastewater management. Geographic impact is localized to Oklahoma, supporting FAA operations in that state. Workforce implications include employment for skilled tradespeople involved in mechanical and construction work.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen issues arise during replacement.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical maintenance function.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.
Open competition suggests a vetted and potentially cost-effective solution.
Short duration minimizes long-term contractor dependency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically addressing facility maintenance and repair. The market for such services is broad, encompassing numerous small and large businesses specializing in mechanical, plumbing, and construction trades. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need to maintain a vast portfolio of government-owned buildings and infrastructure across various agencies. Benchmarks for similar projects would typically be found within regional construction cost indices and historical data for government facility maintenance contracts.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to LIEBER MECHANICAL LLC, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. The data does not specify subcontracting plans. Given the relatively small contract value, it is possible that LIEBER MECHANICAL LLC is a small business itself, but without further information, its impact on the broader small business ecosystem is unclear. Future contracts of this nature could potentially be set aside for small businesses to encourage participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of financial accountability. The Federal Aviation Administration, as the awarding agency, is responsible for monitoring contract performance and ensuring compliance with terms and conditions. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Facility Maintenance
General Services Administration Public Buildings Service
Department of Defense Facilities Management
Commercial Building Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contractor performance risk, though mitigated by fixed-price and competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $25,777 to LIEBER MECHANICAL LLC. WO#25-016028 ARB REPLACE GREASE SEPT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LIEBER MECHANICAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25,777.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of LIEBER MECHANICAL LLC with federal contracts?

Information regarding LIEBER MECHANICAL LLC's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this contract by the Federal Aviation Administration suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and bidding requirements. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine past federal contract awards, performance reviews, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A deeper dive into contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS could reveal their federal contracting history, including the types of services provided, contract values, and agencies served. This would help determine their experience level and reliability in performing similar work.

How does the cost of this grease trap replacement compare to similar FAA facility maintenance projects?

Direct comparison of this $257,777 grease trap replacement contract to similar FAA facility maintenance projects is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. Factors such as geographic location, specific facility requirements, complexity of the existing infrastructure, and prevailing labor/material costs in the region significantly influence pricing. However, the firm fixed-price award and the presence of two bidders suggest a competitive process that likely resulted in a market-based price. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze contracts for similar mechanical or plumbing upgrades at FAA facilities of comparable size and age, considering the duration and scope of work.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential unforeseen issues during the replacement process (e.g., discovering additional damage or complex existing plumbing) that could lead to scope creep and cost overruns, despite the fixed-price nature. Another risk is the contractor's ability to complete the work within the specified short timeframe (147 days). Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price contract, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The FAA's oversight during the project, coupled with the contractor's presumed experience and the competitive bidding process, also serves to mitigate risks. Pre-project site assessments and detailed work scopes are standard practices to minimize surprises.

How effective is the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method for ensuring value?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method aims to balance the benefits of broad competition with the need to potentially leverage specific capabilities or address market limitations. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing value and taxpayer savings, this modified approach allows agencies to initially consider a limited set of sources before opening it up. If the exclusion was based on specific technical requirements or past performance, it could ensure a higher quality of bidders. However, if the exclusion was arbitrary, it could limit competition and potentially increase costs. The fact that it was ultimately awarded under full and open competition suggests that the initial exclusion did not prevent a competitive outcome, and the presence of two bidders indicates some level of market interest.

What is the historical spending pattern for grease trap maintenance at FAA facilities in Oklahoma?

Historical spending patterns for grease trap maintenance specifically at FAA facilities in Oklahoma are not detailed in the provided data. This contract represents a single instance of spending for this particular service. To understand historical patterns, one would need to analyze procurement data over several fiscal years, looking for recurring contracts for grease trap maintenance, plumbing services, or general facility upkeep at FAA installations within Oklahoma. This analysis would reveal the frequency of such needs, the average contract values, and the contractors typically awarded these types of maintenance tasks, providing insight into the ongoing operational costs for facility upkeep in the region.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1105 FIRST PLACE BLVD, YUKON, OK, 73099

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,777

Exercised Options: $25,777

Current Obligation: $25,777

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH23D00021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline