FEMA awards $22.8M contract for tank and pump systems to General Air Products Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,773,947 ($22.8M)

Contractor: General AIR Products Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2017-10-30

End Date: 2018-03-29

Contract Duration: 150 days

Daily Burn Rate: $151.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Manufacturing

Official Description: PURCHASE OF TANK AND PUMP SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF DR-4332-TX.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20472

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $22.8 million to GENERAL AIR PRODUCTS INC for work described as: PURCHASE OF TANK AND PUMP SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF DR-4332-TX. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to General Air Products Inc. for $22.8M. 2. The contract is for tank and pump systems supporting DR-4332-TX. 3. This procurement was not competed, raising potential value concerns. 4. The sector is manufacturing, specifically fluid power pumps and motors.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $22.8M for tank and pump systems appears high given the relatively short duration and lack of competition. Benchmarking against similar, competed contracts for fluid power systems is needed to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential systems.

Public Impact

Supports disaster relief efforts in Texas (DR-4332-TX). Procurement of critical infrastructure components (tank and pump systems). Potential for increased costs due to non-competitive award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency

Positive Signals

Supports disaster relief
Acquisition of necessary equipment

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the manufacturing sector, specifically fluid power pump and motor manufacturing. Spending in this area can vary widely based on specific equipment needs and market conditions. The lack of competition here makes direct benchmarking difficult.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to General Air Products Inc. and there is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific award. Further investigation would be needed to confirm.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competitive nature of this award warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure fair pricing and justification for the sole-source approach. FEMA should provide clear documentation for this decision.

Related Government Programs

Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in award justification
No small business participation evident

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $22.8 million to GENERAL AIR PRODUCTS INC. PURCHASE OF TANK AND PUMP SYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF DR-4332-TX.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL AIR PRODUCTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-10-30. End: 2018-03-29.

What was the justification for not competing this contract, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?

The justification for not competing this contract is not provided in the data. Typically, non-competitive awards require a detailed justification, such as a critical need or lack of available sources. Without this information, it's impossible to assess the fairness of the pricing or the effectiveness of the procurement process in securing the best value for taxpayers.

How does the $22.8M cost compare to similar competed contracts for tank and pump systems?

Direct comparison is difficult without knowing the exact specifications and quantity of the tank and pump systems. However, given the 150-day duration and the lack of competition, $22.8M appears substantial. A benchmark against similar, competed contracts would be crucial to determine if this represents a fair market price or if taxpayers may have overpaid.

What is the long-term impact of acquiring these systems through a sole-source contract on future procurement needs?

Acquiring critical systems through sole-source contracts can set a precedent and potentially limit future competition if the vendor becomes the sole provider or if the government becomes reliant on their specific technology. This can reduce leverage in future negotiations and may lead to sustained higher costs for taxpayers.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing › Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FIRE/RESCUE/SAFETY; ENVIRO PROTECT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 118 SUMMIT DR, EXTON, PA, 19341

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,773,947

Exercised Options: $22,773,947

Current Obligation: $22,773,947

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline