Coast Guard awards $6.2M contract for oily water offload services to Marine Pollution Control Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,184 ($6.2K)

Contractor: Marine Pollution Control Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-03-18

End Date: 2026-04-10

Contract Duration: 23 days

Daily Burn Rate: $269/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CGC BRISTOL BAY OILY WATER OFFLOAD

Place of Performance

Location: DETROIT, WAYNE County, MICHIGAN, 48207

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $6,183.97 to MARINE POLLUTION CONTROL CORP for work described as: CGC BRISTOL BAY OILY WATER OFFLOAD Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Short performance period suggests a need for immediate service delivery. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The contractor has a track record with government contracts. 5. Service is geographically focused on Michigan. 6. The contract value is relatively modest within the context of federal spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.2 million for a short duration is difficult to benchmark without more detailed service requirements. As a sole-source award, there is no direct comparison to other bids to assess value for money. The firm fixed-price structure offers predictability, but the absence of competition raises questions about whether the government secured the most economical price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source is available or when urgency precludes a competitive process. The lack of competition means potential savings from a bidding process were not realized, and the government may not have benefited from the full range of market offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher prices for taxpayers as competition is a key driver for cost reduction. Without a competitive process, there is less assurance that the selected contractor offered the best possible price.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from essential marine pollution control services. Services ensure compliance with environmental regulations for offloading oily water. The geographic impact is primarily within Michigan, where the services will be rendered. The contract supports specialized environmental services workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential cost savings.
Short performance period may indicate a reactive or urgent need, potentially at a premium.
Lack of detailed service scope makes it hard to assess true value for money.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty.
Contractor is likely experienced in this specialized service area.
Service addresses critical environmental protection needs for the Coast Guard.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the environmental services sector, specifically focusing on hazardous waste collection and marine pollution control. The market for such specialized services is often characterized by a limited number of qualified providers due to regulatory and technical requirements. Federal spending in this area supports environmental compliance and operational readiness for agencies like the Coast Guard.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Therefore, it does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Coast Guard's contracting and program management offices. As a purchase order, it is a less complex instrument than a large prime contract, but still subject to standard procurement regulations and internal agency oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Hazardous Material Disposal Services
Marine Vessel Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Limited competition
Short performance period

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $6,183.97 to MARINE POLLUTION CONTROL CORP. CGC BRISTOL BAY OILY WATER OFFLOAD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARINE POLLUTION CONTROL CORP.

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 $6,183.97.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-18. End: 2026-04-10.

What is the track record of Marine Pollution Control Corp. with federal contracts, particularly for similar services?

Marine Pollution Control Corp. has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily from agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (which includes the Coast Guard) and the Department of Defense. These contracts often involve environmental services, including hazardous waste management and spill response. While specific details on performance for past oily water offload contracts are not readily available in this summary, their consistent award of similar service contracts suggests a level of established capability and government trust. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and contract histories to assess their reliability and quality of service delivery.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar services procured competitively?

Direct comparison of pricing is challenging for this contract due to its sole-source nature. Competitive procurements typically yield a range of bids, allowing for price benchmarking and negotiation to achieve better value. Without competing bids for this specific service, it's impossible to definitively state if the $6.2 million price is optimal. However, the firm fixed-price (FFP) structure does offer cost certainty to the government. To assess value, one would need to compare the unit costs or overall price against historical FFP contracts for similar oily water offload services awarded competitively, adjusting for factors like location, volume, and service complexity.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award for oily water offload services?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for paying a premium due to the lack of competition. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the government may not have secured the most cost-effective solution. Another risk is the limited transparency into the pricing justification. Furthermore, relying on a single source could create a dependency, potentially leading to future pricing leverage by the contractor. The short performance period also introduces a risk if the contractor underperforms or faces unforeseen issues, as finding an alternative provider quickly could be difficult.

How effective is the U.S. Coast Guard in managing environmental compliance through such contracts?

The U.S. Coast Guard's effectiveness in managing environmental compliance through contracts like this one is generally considered robust, given their mission critical to maritime safety and environmental protection. They typically establish clear performance standards and require adherence to stringent environmental regulations. The use of firm fixed-price contracts aims to ensure cost control while meeting these standards. However, the effectiveness is also dependent on the quality of oversight, the contractor's performance, and the adequacy of the contract terms. The sole-source nature of this particular award might slightly reduce the assurance of optimal cost-effectiveness, but the core environmental protection objective is likely being met.

What are the historical spending patterns for oily water offload services by the U.S. Coast Guard?

Historical spending patterns for oily water offload services by the U.S. Coast Guard, and federal agencies in general, can vary significantly year over year based on operational tempo, fleet size, regulatory changes, and specific environmental incidents. While this $6.2 million award is for a specific period, broader analysis would involve examining multi-year spending trends for similar services. This could reveal whether spending has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. Understanding these patterns helps in budgeting, forecasting future needs, and identifying potential areas for cost optimization or increased competition in future solicitations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Collection › Hazardous Waste Collection

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

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: 8631 W JEFFERSON AVE, DETROIT, MI, 48209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,184

Exercised Options: $6,184

Current Obligation: $6,184

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline