Coast Guard awards $120K contract for Toledo station fire main repair to J. G. Ewing Sewer Contractors

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $120,000 ($120.0K)

Contractor: J. G. Ewing Sewer Contractors, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-12-18

End Date: 2026-05-18

Contract Duration: 151 days

Daily Burn Rate: $795/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FIRE MAIN LINE REPAIR, U.S. COAST GUARD STATION TOLEDO, TOLEDO, OH 43611.

Place of Performance

Location: TOLEDO, LUCAS County, OHIO, 43611

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $120,000 to J. G. EWING SEWER CONTRACTORS, INC. for work described as: FIRE MAIN LINE REPAIR, U.S. COAST GUARD STATION TOLEDO, TOLEDO, OH 43611. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential infrastructure repair at a critical Coast Guard facility. 2. Limited competition due to the nature of the repair and location. 3. Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during repair. 4. Construction sector, specifically utility and infrastructure maintenance.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $120,000 appears reasonable for a fire main repair of this scope. However, without specific details on the extent of the damage or the complexity of the repair, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. The firm fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it may have been a sole-source or limited competition award. The lack of broad competition could limit price discovery and potentially lead to a higher price than if multiple bids were solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure maintenance. While the amount is relatively small, ensuring competitive pricing is crucial for responsible stewardship of public funds.

Public Impact

Ensures operational readiness of U.S. Coast Guard Station Toledo by maintaining critical fire suppression systems. Supports local infrastructure and potentially local employment through the contractor. Addresses a necessary repair to prevent potential safety hazards and further damage.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 79 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of clear competition details
Potential for scope creep in repair work

Positive Signals

Essential infrastructure maintenance
Firm fixed-price contract

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically focusing on utility and infrastructure repair. Spending benchmarks for similar localized infrastructure repairs can vary widely based on geographic location, material costs, and labor rates. The $120,000 award is a modest sum for such a project.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the work was unsuitable for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting office responsible for the Toledo station. Accountability for the successful completion of the repair within the specified timeframe and budget rests with the contracting officer and the contractor.

Related Government Programs

Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Coast Guard Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Lack of detailed justification for procurement method
Potential for unforeseen repair issues impacting cost/schedule
No clear small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $120,000 to J. G. EWING SEWER CONTRACTORS, INC.. FIRE MAIN LINE REPAIR, U.S. COAST GUARD STATION TOLEDO, TOLEDO, OH 43611.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J. G. EWING SEWER CONTRACTORS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $120,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-18. End: 2026-05-18.

What specific factors led to the decision to not compete this contract under SAP, and what was the justification for the chosen procurement method?

The data provided does not specify the exact reasons for not competing under SAP. Typically, this could be due to urgency, a lack of available contractors, or the specific nature of the required repair being better suited to a particular contractor's expertise. A sole-source justification or limited competition rationale would have been documented by the agency.

How does the $120,000 contract value compare to the estimated cost of similar fire main repair projects in the Toledo, Ohio region?

Benchmarking this specific contract value is challenging without more detailed project scope. However, $120,000 for a fire main repair, which can involve excavation, pipe replacement, and testing, is within a plausible range for localized infrastructure work. A more precise comparison would require data on the length of pipe, material type, and complexity of the repair.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for a repair project where unforeseen issues might arise?

The primary risk with a firm fixed-price contract in repair scenarios is that the contractor may incur losses if unexpected problems significantly increase costs beyond the agreed-upon price. Conversely, the government benefits from cost certainty. However, contractors may build in higher contingency into their bids, potentially inflating the price, or may seek change orders if significant unforeseen issues arise.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4030 FITCH RD, TOLEDO, OH, 43613

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $120,000

Exercised Options: $120,000

Current Obligation: $120,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline