Coast Guard awards $8,949 for mobile boat hoist training, highlighting specialized maritime equipment maintenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,949 ($8.9K)

Contractor: National Crane Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-05-06

Contract Duration: 34 days

Daily Burn Rate: $263/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MOBILE BOAT HOIST TRAINING AT SECTOR KEY WEST FL.

Place of Performance

Location: CURTIS BAY, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21226

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $8,949 to NATIONAL CRANE SERVICES INC for work described as: MOBILE BOAT HOIST TRAINING AT SECTOR KEY WEST FL. Key points: 1. Training focuses on specialized maritime equipment, indicating a need for skilled personnel. 2. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The short duration of the training (34 days) implies a targeted skill development objective. 4. The award to National Crane Services Inc. suggests a specialized provider in this niche market. 5. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for this specific training requirement. 6. The training location at Sector Key West, FL, points to operational needs in a key maritime security area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8,949 for specialized training appears reasonable given the niche nature of mobile boat hoist operation and maintenance. Benchmarking against similar specialized equipment training contracts is difficult due to limited public data, but the cost seems aligned with expert-led, hands-on instruction. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages competition among qualified vendors. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought competitive offers within a streamlined process.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this procurement likely resulted in a fair market price for the specialized training, benefiting taxpayers by ensuring cost-effectiveness for this requirement.

Public Impact

Personnel within the U.S. Coast Guard at Sector Key West will receive specialized training. The training will enhance the operational readiness and maintenance capabilities for mobile boat hoists. This directly supports the Coast Guard's mission in maritime safety, security, and law enforcement. The geographic impact is localized to Sector Key West, Florida, addressing specific operational needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition data (number of bidders) within SAP awards can sometimes obscure true price discovery.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized training could pose a risk if that contractor's availability or quality diminishes.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating an effort to obtain competitive pricing.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty.
The training addresses a specific, critical operational need for specialized equipment.

Sector Analysis

The maritime services sector encompasses a wide range of activities, including specialized equipment operation and maintenance. This contract falls within the industrial machinery repair and maintenance sub-sector, focusing on unique maritime assets. Spending in this area is driven by the operational requirements of agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard, which rely on specialized equipment for their missions. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish for such niche training services, but the overall market for industrial equipment maintenance and training is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and does not specify any small business set-aside. While the contract value is relatively small, it's unclear if subcontracting opportunities for small businesses exist or were encouraged. Further analysis would be needed to determine the specific impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular training service.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Coast Guard's contracting and program management offices. As a delivery order under a larger framework (implied by SAP), it would be subject to standard procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

U.S. Coast Guard Training Programs
Maritime Equipment Maintenance Services
Specialized Industrial Machinery Training

Risk Flags

Potential over-reliance on a single vendor for critical training.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders under SAP.
Need for further benchmarking to confirm value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $8,949 to NATIONAL CRANE SERVICES INC. MOBILE BOAT HOIST TRAINING AT SECTOR KEY WEST FL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL CRANE SERVICES 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 $8,949.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-05-06.

What is the track record of National Crane Services Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in training?

Information regarding National Crane Services Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially concerning training services, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to analyze past awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues. Understanding their experience with similar training requirements and their overall performance history is crucial for assessing reliability and expertise in delivering this mobile boat hoist training.

How does the cost of this training compare to similar specialized maritime equipment training?

Direct cost comparison for this specific mobile boat hoist training is challenging due to the niche nature of the service and limited public data on comparable contracts. The $8,949 award for a 34-day training period suggests a daily rate of approximately $263. This rate needs to be evaluated against the complexity of the equipment, the qualifications of the instructors, and the specific training modules covered. Without access to benchmarks for similar specialized maritime equipment training, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent, fair, or questionable value for money.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single provider for this specialized training?

Relying on a single provider, National Crane Services Inc. in this case, for specialized mobile boat hoist training carries potential risks. These include the contractor's potential inability to perform due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., financial instability, key personnel departure), a decline in training quality over time, or a lack of competitive pressure to maintain optimal pricing and service delivery. The U.S. Coast Guard mitigates some of this risk through contract clauses and performance monitoring, but the inherent dependency on one vendor remains a consideration.

How effective is training conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in meeting operational needs?

Training conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) can be highly effective in meeting operational needs, particularly for requirements that are well-defined, have a relatively low dollar value, and can be fulfilled by specialized vendors. SAP streamlines the procurement process, allowing for quicker acquisition of necessary training. The effectiveness hinges on the agency's ability to clearly define training objectives, identify qualified vendors through the competitive SAP process, and monitor training delivery to ensure it meets the required standards and enhances operational readiness.

What is the historical spending pattern for mobile boat hoist training by the U.S. Coast Guard?

The provided data does not offer historical spending patterns for mobile boat hoist training by the U.S. Coast Guard. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded over previous fiscal years, looking for keywords related to 'mobile boat hoist training,' 'maritime crane training,' or similar terms, and filter by the U.S. Coast Guard as the awarding agency. This would reveal the frequency, value, and duration of such training procurements, indicating whether this $8,949 award is a typical or an outlier expenditure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance › Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20537 US HIGHWAY 301, DADE CITY, FL, 33523

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,949

Exercised Options: $8,949

Current Obligation: $8,949

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z04022DSBPL0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline