Indian Health Service awards $500,000 for water and sewer line construction in Oklahoma

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,000 ($50.0K)

Contractor: Ricky M Triplett

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-03-26

End Date: 2030-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,496 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CALL TO ADD LUMP SUM FUNDING FOR 25-G10-143106 UNDER THE SHAWNEE FIELD OFFICE, INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES (IHS).

Place of Performance

Location: SHAWNEE, POTTAWATOMIE County, OKLAHOMA, 74804

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $50,000 to RICKY M TRIPLETT for work described as: CALL TO ADD LUMP SUM FUNDING FOR 25-G10-143106 UNDER THE SHAWNEE FIELD OFFICE, INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES (IHS). Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential infrastructure upgrades to improve public health. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. Competition level indicates a potentially favorable pricing environment. 4. Long contract duration suggests a significant scope of work or phased approach. 5. Project located in Oklahoma, serving the needs of the Shawnee Field Office. 6. Contractor has a 'Satisfactory' performance record.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $500,000 for water and sewer line construction appears reasonable for the specified duration and scope. Benchmarking against similar infrastructure projects of this nature would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, contributing to a good value proposition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive bidding process. With 3 bidders participating, there was a reasonable level of competition, which typically drives better pricing and service offerings. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market has capacity and interest in providing these services.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source procurement.

Public Impact

Residents and users of facilities managed by the Shawnee Field Office, Indian Health Service, will benefit from improved water and sewer infrastructure. The services delivered include the construction and repair of water and sewer lines, crucial for public health and sanitation. The geographic impact is focused on Oklahoma, specifically within the service area of the Shawnee Field Office. This project supports local construction jobs and potentially related trades within the Oklahoma region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial project requirements are not clearly defined.
Ensuring timely completion within the 4-year duration is critical for service continuity.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract helps control costs.
Competitive bidding process likely secured favorable pricing.
Contractor performance rating is 'Satisfactory', indicating a baseline of reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically focusing on utility infrastructure. The market for water and sewer line construction is substantial, driven by ongoing needs for maintenance, repair, and upgrades to aging systems across the country. Government contracts in this area are common, supporting public health and environmental standards.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Indian Health Service contracting office and the Shawnee Field Office. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Infrastructure Projects
Water and Sewer System Construction Contracts
Federal Public Health Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Contract Duration Exceeds Typical SAP Project Length
Performance Rating is 'Satisfactory', not 'Exceptional'

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $50,000 to RICKY M TRIPLETT. CALL TO ADD LUMP SUM FUNDING FOR 25-G10-143106 UNDER THE SHAWNEE FIELD OFFICE, INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES (IHS).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RICKY M TRIPLETT.

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 $50,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-26. End: 2030-04-30.

What is the contractor's specific experience with similar Indian Health Service infrastructure projects?

The provided data indicates the contractor, RICKY M TRIPLETT, has a 'Satisfactory' performance rating. However, it does not detail their specific experience with Indian Health Service (IHS) projects or similar water and sewer line construction in tribal or remote areas. A deeper dive into the contractor's past performance reports and project history would be necessary to assess their suitability and expertise for this particular contract, especially considering the unique context of IHS operations.

How does the $500,000 contract value compare to similar water and sewer line construction projects awarded by IHS or other federal agencies?

Without specific data on comparable projects, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $500,000 for a project spanning nearly five years (2026-2030) suggests a scope that might involve phased work, repairs, or smaller-scale new construction rather than a large, immediate overhaul. The Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) used for this award typically apply to contracts under $250,000, though certain exceptions and thresholds exist. If this award was indeed under SAP, the $500,000 value might indicate a series of task orders or a specific type of procurement that allows for higher values within SAP parameters, or it could be a BPA Call with a ceiling value. Further clarification on the exact SAP usage and the project's scope is needed for a robust benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential delays in construction due to weather, site conditions, or material availability, which could impact the project timeline. Cost overruns are mitigated by the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, which shifts financial risk to the contractor. Performance risk is addressed through the contractor's 'Satisfactory' rating and the oversight provided by the Indian Health Service. Ensuring clear communication and adherence to the contract's scope of work are crucial mitigation strategies.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the local workforce and small businesses in Oklahoma?

This contract is expected to create employment opportunities for construction workers and related trades in Oklahoma. The extent of small business involvement, however, is not detailed in the provided data. Analysis of subcontracting plans, if any, would be required to assess the specific impact on the small business ecosystem in the region.

How does the competition level (3 bidders) influence the pricing and overall value for the taxpayer?

Having three bidders suggests a healthy level of competition, which generally leads to more competitive pricing as contractors vie for the award. This scenario is favorable for taxpayers, as it increases the likelihood of securing the services at a fair market price. A higher number of bidders typically correlates with better price discovery and potentially lower overall contract costs compared to a less competitive or sole-source environment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

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: 12203 S SANGRE RD, PERKINS, OK, 74059

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,000

Exercised Options: $50,000

Current Obligation: $50,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75H71125A00074

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline