NASA awards $2.06M contract for landfill gas supply and maintenance to Toro Partners II, LP
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,055,282 ($2.1M)
Contractor: Toro Partners II, LP
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-06-01
End Date: 2026-05-31
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Energy
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL (A) SUPPLY LANDFILL GAS (LFG) TO NASA'S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC) (B) PERFORM MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ON CONTRACTOR-OWNED EQUIPMENT AT GSFC AND (C) REMOVE LFG CONDENSATE FROM GSFC FOR DISPOSAL.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.1 million to TORO PARTNERS II, LP for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL (A) SUPPLY LANDFILL GAS (LFG) TO NASA'S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC) (B) PERFORM MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ON CONTRACTOR-OWNED EQUIPMENT AT GSFC AND (C) REMOVE LFG CONDENSATE FROM GSFC FOR DISPOSAL. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential utility services for Goddard Space Flight Center. 2. Limited competition raises questions about optimal pricing and value. 3. Contract duration of three years provides a stable service period. 4. Fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but requires careful monitoring of scope. 5. Geographic concentration in Maryland for service delivery. 6. No small business set-aside indicates potential for larger prime contractors.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.06 million over three years for landfill gas supply and maintenance appears reasonable for the services rendered. However, without more detailed cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar services at other federal facilities, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty, but it is crucial to ensure the contractor is not over-recovering costs given the limited competition.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This significantly limits the government's ability to solicit bids from multiple vendors and potentially secure more competitive pricing. The justification for a sole-source award needs to be thoroughly reviewed to ensure it was appropriate and that no other qualified vendors could have provided the service.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government may not benefit from the price reductions typically achieved through competitive bidding processes.
Public Impact
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center benefits from a reliable supply of landfill gas for its operations. Maintenance and repair services ensure the continuous functioning of essential equipment. Disposal of landfill gas condensate is managed, preventing environmental issues. The contract supports a specific utility service within the federal government's infrastructure. Workforce implications are likely limited to the contractor's personnel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may result in higher than market prices.
- Sole-source award requires strong justification to ensure taxpayer value.
- Performance monitoring is critical to ensure service quality and prevent scope creep.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Contract duration offers stability for essential utility services.
- Service directly supports critical NASA operations.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Utilities and Energy sector, specifically focusing on the distribution and management of natural gas derived from landfill sources. This niche market often involves specialized equipment and expertise. While the overall market for landfill gas utilization is growing, specific contracts for government facilities are less common and can be subject to unique procurement circumstances, such as sole-source awards.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. This suggests that the prime contractor is likely a larger entity, and any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's own procurement practices and policies. There is no explicit indication of direct benefit or impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Accountability measures will be tied to the terms and conditions of the firm fixed-price contract, including performance standards for landfill gas supply, maintenance, and disposal. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details should be publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Operations
- Federal Utility Services Contracts
- Landfill Gas to Energy Projects
- Natural Gas Distribution Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for essential utility services.
Tags
energy, natural-gas-distribution, nasa, goddard-space-flight-center, maryland, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, utility-services, landfill-gas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.1 million to TORO PARTNERS II, LP. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL (A) SUPPLY LANDFILL GAS (LFG) TO NASA'S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC) (B) PERFORM MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ON CONTRACTOR-OWNED EQUIPMENT AT GSFC AND (C) REMOVE LFG CONDENSATE FROM GSFC FOR DISPOSAL.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TORO PARTNERS II, LP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the specific justification provided by NASA for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source justifications are based on factors such as the urgency of the requirement, the unavailability of other sources, or a unique capability possessed by the sole contractor. NASA would have had to formally document and approve this justification, likely citing reasons why only Toro Partners II, LP could fulfill the requirement for landfill gas supply, maintenance, and condensate removal at Goddard Space Flight Center. Without access to NASA's internal procurement documentation, the precise rationale remains unknown.
How does the per-unit cost of landfill gas under this contract compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?
The provided data does not include specific per-unit pricing for the landfill gas supplied under this contract, nor does it offer a breakdown of costs for maintenance and disposal. Therefore, a direct comparison to market rates or similar federal contracts is not possible with the available information. To assess value for money, one would need to analyze the price per unit of energy (e.g., MMBtu) or per volume of gas supplied, benchmarked against prevailing prices for natural gas or landfill gas in the region, and against historical data for similar government contracts. The fixed-price nature of the contract implies a total cost, but the underlying unit economics are not transparent from this summary.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?
The provided data summary does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that govern this contract. However, for a contract involving the supply of landfill gas, maintenance of equipment, and removal of condensate, typical KPIs would likely include metrics related to the reliability and continuity of gas supply (e.g., uptime percentage), response times for maintenance and repairs, adherence to disposal regulations, and potentially quality standards for the gas supplied. SLAs would define the expected performance levels and any penalties or remedies for non-compliance. These details would be found within the full contract document.
What is the track record of Toro Partners II, LP in providing similar landfill gas services to government entities?
The provided data does not include information on the track record of Toro Partners II, LP. To assess their suitability and past performance, one would need to research their contract history, client references, and any performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires (PPQs) submitted for previous government contracts. Information regarding their experience in supplying landfill gas, performing related maintenance, and managing condensate disposal, particularly for federal agencies, would be crucial in evaluating the risk associated with this award and confirming their capability to meet NASA's requirements effectively.
What is the historical spending pattern for landfill gas supply and related services at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center?
The provided data does not contain historical spending information for landfill gas supply and related services at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. To establish a historical spending pattern, one would need to access federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) and search for previous contracts awarded by NASA GSFC for similar services. Analyzing past contract values, durations, and award types (competitive vs. sole-source) would provide context for the current $2.06 million award, helping to identify trends, potential cost increases over time, and the typical procurement approaches used for these essential utility services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Utilities › Natural Gas Distribution › Natural Gas Distribution
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 80GSF23R0002
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5900 SOUTHWEST PKWY BLDG 2, AUSTIN, TX, 78735
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,024,171
Exercised Options: $3,052,847
Current Obligation: $2,055,282
Actual Outlays: $1,801,898
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-06-01
Current End Date: 2026-05-31
Potential End Date: 2033-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-12
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