Connecticut awarded $313,922 contract for human food inspection services to Consumer Protection Connecticut Department

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $313,923 ($313.9K)

Contractor: Consumer Protection Connecticut Department

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-08-29

End Date: 2026-09-05

Contract Duration: 1,103 days

Daily Burn Rate: $285/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CT HUMAN FOOD INSPECTION CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: HARTFORD, HARTFORD County, CONNECTICUT, 06103

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $313,922.86 to CONSUMER PROTECTION CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT for work described as: CT HUMAN FOOD INSPECTION CONTRACT Key points: 1. The contract value of $313,922 for a duration of 1103 days suggests a moderate annual spend. 2. The contract was awarded on a 'not available for competition' basis, raising questions about potential cost savings from a competitive process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the lack of competition may limit price discovery. 4. The services are for public health programs, specifically food inspection, indicating a critical public safety function. 5. The awardee is a state agency, which is an unusual recipient for a federal contract of this nature. 6. The contract duration of nearly three years allows for sustained service delivery but also locks in current pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging due to the unique awardee (a state agency) and the 'not available for competition' status. Without comparable federal contracts for similar services awarded competitively, it's difficult to assess if the $313,922 represents a fair market price. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competitive bidding prevents a robust value-for-money assessment against potential alternatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a 'not available for competition' basis, meaning a full and open competitive process was not utilized. The specific reasons for this determination are not detailed in the provided data. This approach limits the number of potential bidders to one, which can lead to higher prices and reduced innovation compared to a competitive solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium for these services due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the citizens of Connecticut, who will receive enhanced food safety inspections. The services delivered include the administration of public health programs related to food inspection. The geographic impact is focused on Connecticut, where the food inspection activities will take place. This contract supports public health infrastructure and potentially the workforce involved in food safety.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Awarding to a state agency instead of a private firm raises questions about the federal procurement process and potential conflicts of interest.
The 'not available for competition' justification needs further scrutiny to ensure it was appropriate.

Positive Signals

The contract ensures continued food inspection services, contributing to public health and safety.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The awardee is a government entity, potentially implying a direct alignment with public service goals.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader 'Administration of Public Health Programs' sector. This sector involves government agencies managing and delivering essential health services. Federal spending in this area often focuses on regulatory compliance, disease prevention, and consumer protection. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific scope and scale of the inspection services, but federal contracts for similar public health support services can range significantly in value.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false, suggesting no specific set-aside for small businesses or subcontracting requirements were mandated for this contract. This means opportunities for small businesses to participate in this contract are likely limited.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the awarding agency, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and potentially the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General. Transparency is dependent on the public availability of contract details and performance reports. Accountability measures would be outlined in the contract's terms and conditions, focusing on service delivery and compliance.

Related Government Programs

Public Health Programs
Food Safety and Inspection Services
State and Local Government Support

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Award to state agency
Lack of detailed justification for sole-source

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $313,922.86 to CONSUMER PROTECTION CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT. CT HUMAN FOOD INSPECTION CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONSUMER PROTECTION CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $313,922.86.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-29. End: 2026-09-05.

What specific food inspection activities are covered under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'CT HUMAN FOOD INSPECTION CONTRACT' and falls under the 'Administration of Public Health Programs' NAICS code. While the specific activities are not detailed, typical food inspection services involve assessing compliance with food safety regulations, inspecting food production facilities, sampling products for testing, and investigating foodborne illness outbreaks. The contract likely supports the FDA's mission to protect public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and animal food.

Why was this contract not competed, and what is the justification for a sole-source award?

The data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. Federal regulations permit sole-source or non-competitive awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without further details from the awarding agency (FDA), the precise justification remains unknown. This lack of competition is a key area for scrutiny, as it limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for the government.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar federal food inspection contracts?

Direct comparison is difficult without knowing the exact scope and duration of services. However, the total contract value of $313,922 over approximately three years suggests an annual expenditure of roughly $105,000. This figure needs to be contextualized by the number of inspections, geographic coverage, and specific services rendered. Given the sole-source nature, it's plausible that a competitively bid contract might have yielded a lower price, but this cannot be confirmed without comparative data.

What is the track record of Consumer Protection Connecticut Department in performing federal contracts?

Consumer Protection Connecticut Department is identified as a state agency, not a typical federal contractor. Its primary role is likely within the state's regulatory framework. Information regarding its track record in performing federal contracts is not readily available through standard federal procurement databases. This suggests it may be the first time this agency is undertaking a federal contract of this nature, or such data is not publicly aggregated.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a food inspection contract to a state agency on a non-competitive basis?

Key risks include potential lack of competitive pricing, reduced transparency in the procurement process, and questions about the agency's capacity and experience in fulfilling federal requirements compared to established federal contractors. There's also a risk of mission creep or conflicts of interest if the state agency's primary focus diverges from federal objectives. Ensuring robust oversight and performance monitoring is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical federal spending on food inspection services, and how does this contract fit in?

Historical federal spending on food inspection is substantial, primarily managed by agencies like the FDA and USDA. This specific contract, valued at $313,922, represents a relatively small portion of the overall federal food safety budget. Its significance lies in its unique award mechanism (non-competitive to a state agency) rather than its dollar amount. It suggests a localized or specialized need that the FDA opted to fulfill through a state partner rather than a traditional competitive procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Administration of Human Resource Programs › Administration of Public Health Programs

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 450 COLUMBUS BLVD, HARTFORD, CT, 06103

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $372,314

Exercised Options: $313,923

Current Obligation: $313,923

Actual Outlays: $226,072

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline