Coast Guard awards $304K contract for fire equipment inspection and certification in Valdez, Alaska

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,417 ($30.4K)

Contractor: Yukon Fire Protection Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-07-29

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 306 days

Daily Burn Rate: $99/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FIRE EQUIPMENT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION LOCATED AT USCG STATION VALDEZ

Place of Performance

Location: VALDEZ, CHUGACH County, ALASKA, 99686

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $30,417 to YUKON FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES, INC. for work described as: FIRE EQUIPMENT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION LOCATED AT USCG STATION VALDEZ Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Yukon Fire Protection Services, Inc. for essential safety services. 2. The contract duration is 306 days, indicating a focused scope of work. 3. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a streamlined procurement process for a relatively small dollar amount. 4. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. This service is critical for maintaining operational safety and compliance at a Coast Guard facility. 6. The geographic location in Valdez, Alaska, highlights the need for specialized services in remote areas.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $304,170 for 306 days of fire equipment inspection and certification appears reasonable for specialized safety services in a remote location like Valdez, Alaska. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific service details, the price per day is approximately $994. This falls within a typical range for specialized technical services. The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty. Further benchmarking against similar services in comparable geographic regions would offer deeper insight into value for money.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $994 per day for inspection and certification services.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition than micro-purchases but is less formal than full and open competition for larger contracts. The data indicates three bids were received, suggesting a reasonable level of competition for this type of specialized service. The SAP process aims to balance efficiency with fair opportunity, and the multiple bids indicate that multiple vendors were aware of and interested in the requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition level suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from competitive pricing due to multiple vendors submitting offers, preventing a sole-source situation and ensuring a fair market price was obtained.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard Station Valdez in Alaska benefits from ensured operational safety and compliance. Essential fire safety equipment will be inspected and certified, mitigating risks of malfunction during critical operations. The service directly supports the Coast Guard's mission in the Valdez area, contributing to maritime safety and security. Local workforce may indirectly benefit through the contractor's operational needs, though direct employment is not specified.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased costs if unforeseen issues arise with fire equipment requiring extensive repairs beyond standard inspection scope.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical safety inspections could pose a risk if performance issues emerge.
Geographic isolation of Valdez may present logistical challenges for the contractor, potentially impacting service delivery timelines or costs.

Positive Signals

The contract is competitively awarded, indicating multiple vendors vied for the opportunity, suggesting fair pricing.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government, minimizing budget overruns.
The service addresses a critical safety requirement, directly contributing to the operational readiness of the Coast Guard station.
Awarding to Yukon Fire Protection Services, Inc. leverages a known entity for this specialized service.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Security Systems Services sector, specifically focusing on the inspection and certification of fire safety equipment. This is a niche but vital service supporting the operational integrity and safety of government facilities. The market for such services is often localized due to the specialized nature and the need for rapid response. While the overall market size for fire safety services is substantial, contracts for specific government installations are typically awarded through competitive bidding processes, often utilizing simplified acquisition procedures for smaller dollar values.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and the contractor, Yukon Fire Protection Services, Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, there is no direct indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses arising from this specific award. The primary focus appears to be on securing the necessary fire safety services through the most competitive means available under SAP.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting office within the Department of Homeland Security. As a competitively awarded purchase order under SAP, standard procurement regulations and contract administration procedures apply. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the DHS OIG would have oversight over the broader department's spending and contract management.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fire Safety Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Facility Maintenance
U.S. Coast Guard Operational Support
Security Systems Services Contracts
Alaska Federal Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues due to remote location
Risk of unforeseen repair costs impacting fixed price
Dependency on single vendor for critical safety function

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $30,417 to YUKON FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES, INC.. FIRE EQUIPMENT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION LOCATED AT USCG STATION VALDEZ

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is YUKON FIRE PROTECTION 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 $30,417.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-29. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of Yukon Fire Protection Services, Inc. with federal contracts?

Yukon Fire Protection Services, Inc. has been awarded this $304,170 contract by the U.S. Coast Guard for fire equipment inspection and certification. Further analysis of federal procurement databases would be required to determine the full extent of their federal contracting history, including past performance on similar services, contract values, and any reported issues or awards. Understanding their experience with government contracts, particularly in remote or challenging environments like Alaska, is crucial for assessing reliability and performance.

How does the per-unit cost compare to similar fire equipment inspection contracts?

The estimated daily cost for this contract is approximately $994 ($304,170 / 306 days). Benchmarking this against similar fire equipment inspection and certification contracts requires access to detailed pricing data for comparable services, ideally within the same geographic region or for similar types of government facilities. Without specific data on the scope of services (e.g., types of equipment, frequency of inspection, specific certifications required), a precise comparison is challenging. However, this daily rate appears within a reasonable range for specialized technical services in a location with potentially higher operational costs.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues from the contractor, especially given the remote location of USCG Station Valdez, which could lead to delays or incomplete services. There's also a risk of unforeseen equipment failures requiring more extensive repairs than anticipated within the scope of inspection, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed contractually. Furthermore, reliance on a single vendor for critical safety equipment maintenance introduces a dependency risk. The fixed-price nature mitigates budget risk but could strain the contractor if costs escalate unexpectedly.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) for procuring these types of services?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for purchases between the micro-purchase threshold and the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000, but can be higher for certain construction). For a $304,170 contract, this award likely falls under the higher end of SAP or potentially just above it, depending on specific agency thresholds and contract types. SAP aims to reduce administrative burden and speed up procurement while still encouraging competition. Receiving three bids suggests SAP was effective in attracting vendor interest for this service, balancing efficiency with fair opportunity. Its effectiveness is measured by achieving the required service at a fair and reasonable price with adequate competition.

What is the historical spending pattern for fire equipment inspection and certification at USCG Station Valdez?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for fire equipment inspection and certification at USCG Station Valdez. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contract awards for this specific service at this location over several fiscal years. Understanding historical spending would help determine if the current $304,170 award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical safety services, and whether previous contracts were also competed under similar procedures.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the local economy in Valdez, Alaska?

The direct economic impact on Valdez, Alaska, from this $304,170 contract is likely moderate. Yukon Fire Protection Services, Inc. may utilize local resources for lodging, transportation, or supplies during their service period. If the company is based in Alaska, it represents direct revenue. However, if the company is based elsewhere, the primary economic benefit would be the wages paid to any visiting technicians. The contract's main purpose is operational support for the Coast Guard, not direct economic development, but any local spending by the contractor contributes to the regional economy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 37570PR250000008

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: K'oyitl'ots'ina, Limited

Address: 5451 LAONA DR, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99518

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,417

Exercised Options: $30,417

Current Obligation: $30,417

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline