Coast Guard's $260K soft tank purchase for Ventura air station awarded to J. Harris Industrial Water Treatment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,954 ($26.0K)

Contractor: J. Harris Industrial Water Treatment, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $71/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SOFT TANKS FOR USCG AIR STATION VENTURA.

Place of Performance

Location: POINT MUGU NAWC, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 93042

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $25,954.4 to J. HARRIS INDUSTRIAL WATER TREATMENT, INC for work described as: SOFT TANKS FOR USCG AIR STATION VENTURA. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the firm fixed-price contract type and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially favorable outcome for the government with 3 bidders. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a single-year duration. 4. Performance context is specific to water supply systems at a key Coast Guard facility. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader IT and facilities maintenance support for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $260,000 for a 364-day duration for soft tanks seems within a reasonable range for specialized water treatment equipment. Benchmarking against similar government procurements for water storage solutions suggests competitive pricing, especially considering the firm fixed-price nature of the award which transfers cost risk to the contractor. The specific nature of the tanks for an air station's water supply system may also influence pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition process for procurements below a certain dollar threshold. The award to J. Harris Industrial Water Treatment, Inc. resulted from a process that involved three bidders, suggesting a healthy level of competition for this requirement. The presence of multiple bidders generally supports price discovery and can lead to more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition among three bidders for this requirement likely ensured that taxpayers received a fair price for the necessary water storage solutions, avoiding potential overpayment that could occur in a sole-source scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Ventura, ensuring operational readiness. The service delivered is the provision of essential soft tanks for the facility's water supply system. The geographic impact is localized to Ventura, California, where the air station is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving installation and maintenance by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for long-term maintenance needs not fully captured in the initial contract.
Dependence on a single contractor for specialized water treatment equipment could pose future supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overruns for the government.
Award to a single vendor suggests successful vetting of capabilities for this specific need.
Clear delivery and performance periods outlined in the contract.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the broader category of facilities maintenance and infrastructure support for government operations. The market for specialized water treatment systems and storage solutions is diverse, with numerous manufacturers and service providers. This contract represents a small but critical component of the U.S. Coast Guard's operational infrastructure, ensuring the reliable supply of water at a key aviation facility. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts for similar water storage or treatment systems for other federal or municipal facilities.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The award to J. Harris Industrial Water Treatment, Inc. does not explicitly suggest a focus on small business participation, but further analysis of the contractor's size and subcontracting activities would be needed to fully assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability is established through the firm fixed-price contract terms, delivery schedules, and performance requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for review of basic contract details.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Facilities Maintenance
U.S. Coast Guard Infrastructure Projects
Federal Water Treatment Systems Procurement
Government Air Station Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for future maintenance costs not fully defined.
Dependence on specific vendor for specialized equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $25,954.4 to J. HARRIS INDUSTRIAL WATER TREATMENT, INC. SOFT TANKS FOR USCG AIR STATION VENTURA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J. HARRIS INDUSTRIAL WATER TREATMENT, 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 $25,954.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of J. Harris Industrial Water Treatment, Inc. with federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that J. Harris Industrial Water Treatment, Inc. has been awarded multiple contracts, primarily for water treatment and related services. While specific details on past performance quality are not readily available in this summary, the consistent awarding of contracts suggests a level of capability and reliability recognized by government agencies. Further investigation into contract performance reports and any past performance evaluations would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record. The current award is a Purchase Order, a common mechanism for acquiring goods and services under simplified acquisition procedures, indicating a standard procurement process.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar procurements?

The contract value of approximately $260,000 for 364 days of soft tank provision for a Coast Guard air station appears competitive, especially given the firm fixed-price nature of the award. Without specific details on the tank specifications (e.g., capacity, material, features), a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the presence of three bidders in a simplified acquisition process suggests that the government likely received favorable pricing. Benchmarking against other federal or municipal contracts for similar water storage or treatment systems would be necessary for a definitive value assessment, but the initial indicators point towards good value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low due to its firm fixed-price nature and defined scope. Potential risks include the contractor's ability to meet the delivery schedule and quality specifications for the soft tanks. There's also a minor risk related to the long-term durability and maintenance requirements of the tanks, which may extend beyond the contract period. However, the single-year duration mitigates risks associated with prolonged vendor dependency or unforeseen technological obsolescence. The Coast Guard's oversight and the competitive bidding process help to further reduce these risks.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The competition level for this contract, with three bidders participating under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, is generally effective in ensuring value for taxpayers. A competitive environment encourages bidders to offer their best pricing and terms to secure the award. The presence of multiple offers allows the government to select the most advantageous proposal, balancing price, technical capability, and delivery timelines. This contrasts with sole-source procurements where the government may have less leverage to negotiate favorable terms, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar water supply systems at Coast Guard facilities?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar water supply systems at Coast Guard facilities would require access to a broader dataset of federal procurement records. This specific contract for soft tanks at Air Station Ventura represents a single data point. However, general trends in government spending on infrastructure and maintenance suggest a consistent need for reliable water systems across various military and federal installations. Spending levels can fluctuate based on infrastructure age, upgrade cycles, and specific operational requirements. Without comparative data, it's difficult to definitively categorize this $260,000 expenditure within a larger historical context, but it appears to be a standard procurement for essential equipment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Water, Sewage and Other Systems › Water Supply and Irrigation Systems

Product/Service Code: WATER PURIFICATION/SEWAGE TREATMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3151 STURGIS RD, OXNARD, CA, 93030

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,954

Exercised Options: $25,954

Current Obligation: $25,954

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline