HHS awards $326K for solid waste services to Pueblo of Zuni, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,618 ($32.6K)

Contractor: Pueblo of Zuni

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-03-26

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,100 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES FOR ZCCHC.

Place of Performance

Location: ZUNI, MCKINLEY County, NEW MEXICO, 87327

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $32,617.85 to PUEBLO OF ZUNI for work described as: SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES FOR ZCCHC. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a tribal entity for essential services. 2. Focus on service delivery in New Mexico. 3. Firm fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs. 4. Contract duration of approximately three years. 5. Potential for future contract renewals based on performance.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $326,178.85 over approximately three years for solid waste collection services appears reasonable for a remote service area. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more specific service details (e.g., frequency, volume, disposal methods). However, the award to a tribal entity for services within their jurisdiction may involve unique cost structures not directly comparable to commercial providers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, indicating that the Pueblo of Zuni was the only entity considered capable of providing these services. While sole-source awards can streamline procurement, they limit opportunities for competitive bidding and potentially higher prices. The justification for sole-source should be reviewed to ensure no other qualified vendors were overlooked.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price reductions typically achieved through competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.

Public Impact

Benefits the Zuni Indian Health Center by ensuring proper waste management. Provides essential solid waste collection services to the Zuni community. Geographic impact is concentrated in New Mexico. Supports local employment through the contractor, Pueblo of Zuni.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source justification needs thorough review to ensure necessity.

Positive Signals

Award to a tribal entity supports self-determination and local economic development.
Ensures essential public health service delivery for the Zuni community.

Sector Analysis

Solid waste collection is a critical component of public infrastructure and health services. The market for these services can vary significantly based on geographic location, population density, and regulatory requirements. This contract fits within the broader government spending on essential services for tribal communities and public health facilities, ensuring environmental compliance and community well-being.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded sole-source to the Pueblo of Zuni. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award. The focus is on direct service provision by the tribal entity.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Indian Health Service (IHS) within HHS. Accountability measures would be outlined in the purchase order, focusing on service delivery standards and compliance. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Contracts
Tribal Government Contracts
Solid Waste Management Services
Public Health Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $32,617.85 to PUEBLO OF ZUNI. SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES FOR ZCCHC.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PUEBLO OF ZUNI.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32,617.85.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-26. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract sole-source to the Pueblo of Zuni?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific statutory requirements. In this case, awarding to the Pueblo of Zuni likely relates to their governmental status and direct responsibility for services within their jurisdiction, potentially aligning with federal policies promoting tribal self-governance and economic development. The Indian Health Service (IHS) would have documented the specific reasons, such as the tribe's unique position to provide the service efficiently and effectively within the Zuni reservation, or a lack of other readily available and qualified providers capable of meeting the specific needs of the Zuni Indian Health Center. A thorough review of the Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) would provide precise details.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar solid waste collection services in comparable rural areas?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $326,178.85 contract for solid waste collection services to similar contracts in comparable rural areas is challenging without detailed service specifications. Factors such as collection frequency, volume of waste, types of waste handled (e.g., hazardous vs. general), disposal fees, and specific geographic challenges (e.g., terrain, accessibility) significantly influence costs. However, given the sole-source nature, it is plausible that the price may not reflect the lowest possible cost achievable through competitive bidding. Benchmarking would ideally involve analyzing contracts with similar scope, duration, and service area characteristics, adjusted for regional economic factors and the unique context of serving a tribal entity.

What are the performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract are detailed within the purchase order awarded to the Pueblo of Zuni. While not publicly itemized in the provided data, typical SLAs for solid waste collection include adherence to scheduled pick-up times, proper containment and disposal of waste, compliance with environmental regulations, and responsiveness to service issues. The Indian Health Service (IHS) would monitor the contractor's performance against these agreed-upon standards. Failure to meet these metrics could result in corrective actions or penalties as stipulated in the contract terms, ensuring the continued provision of essential public health services.

What is the historical spending pattern for solid waste collection services at the Zuni Indian Health Center?

Historical spending data for solid waste collection services at the Zuni Indian Health Center is not directly available in the provided contract details. To ascertain historical patterns, one would need to access procurement records for previous contract periods. This would involve searching federal contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for prior awards related to solid waste services for this specific facility or agency. Analyzing past spending would reveal trends in contract value, duration, and potentially the number of bidders or awardees, offering insights into the consistency and cost evolution of these essential services over time.

Are there any identified risks associated with this sole-source contract, beyond potential cost implications?

Beyond the potential for higher costs due to lack of competition, risks associated with this sole-source contract could include vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider, making future transitions difficult or costly. There's also a risk related to the contractor's capacity and operational stability; if the Pueblo of Zuni faces internal challenges, service disruptions could impact the Zuni Indian Health Center. Furthermore, the absence of competitive pressure might reduce the incentive for the contractor to innovate or proactively improve service quality beyond the minimum contractual requirements. Robust oversight and clear performance monitoring are crucial to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Zuni Pueblo of

Address: 1203 B STATE HWY 53, ZUNI, NM, 87327

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $57,335

Exercised Options: $32,618

Current Obligation: $32,618

Actual Outlays: $13,341

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline