DoD's $19.4M Range Management Contract Awarded to Glacier Technologies LLC Raises Competition Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,442,094 ($19.4M)

Contractor: Glacier Technologies LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-08-01

End Date: 2014-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,764 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MELROSE PRIMARY TRAINING RANGE, EC, B&G RANGE MANAGEMENT AND WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING AUGMENTATION.

Place of Performance

Location: FLOYD, ROOSEVELT County, NEW MEXICO, 88118

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.4 million to GLACIER TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: MELROSE PRIMARY TRAINING RANGE, EC, B&G RANGE MANAGEMENT AND WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING AUGMENTATION. Key points: 1. The contract for range management and firefighting augmentation at Melrose Primary Training Range was awarded to Glacier Technologies LLC for $19.4 million. 2. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, the contract's limited competition raises questions about price discovery and potential taxpayer impact. 3. The lack of available competition data and the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status suggest potential risks in achieving best value. 4. The sector is Facilities Support Services, with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 561210.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing assessment is difficult due to limited competition data. The contract was awarded on a Firm Fixed Price basis, but without competitive benchmarks, it's hard to determine if the $19.4 million represents excellent value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited source selection process. This lack of competition may hinder effective price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible price for these essential range management and firefighting services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The essential nature of range management and firefighting services means any inefficiencies could impact military readiness. Lack of transparency in the award process could set a precedent for future non-competitive contracts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of available competition data
Potential for overpayment

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type
Long-term duration (1764 days)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, which includes a wide range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of government facilities. Spending benchmarks for this specific niche are not readily available, but competitive bidding is generally expected to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition and lack of available data present challenges for robust oversight. Accountability would focus on ensuring Glacier Technologies LLC meets all contractual obligations and performance standards despite the non-competitive award.

Related Government Programs

Facilities Support Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive justification
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in award process
Risk of performance issues impacting readiness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.4 million to GLACIER TECHNOLOGIES LLC. MELROSE PRIMARY TRAINING RANGE, EC, B&G RANGE MANAGEMENT AND WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING AUGMENTATION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLACIER TECHNOLOGIES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-08-01. End: 2014-05-31.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a limited, non-competitive basis?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. A thorough review would require accessing the contract's justification and approval (J&A) document. This document should detail the specific reasons why full and open competition was not feasible, such as a unique capability requirement, urgent need, or lack of qualified sources. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess the validity of the limited competition.

How does the $19.4 million price compare to industry benchmarks for similar range management and firefighting services?

Benchmarking this $19.4 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services, geographic location, and contract duration. However, given the limited competition, there's a heightened risk that the price may not reflect competitive market rates. A comparative analysis with other DoD or agency contracts for similar services, especially those awarded competitively, would be necessary to assess value.

What are the potential risks to operational effectiveness if Glacier Technologies LLC underperforms on this contract?

Underperformance by Glacier Technologies LLC could directly impact the operational readiness and safety of the Melrose Primary Training Range. Inadequate range management could lead to safety violations or reduced training opportunities. Similarly, deficiencies in wildland firefighting augmentation could result in uncontrolled fires, posing risks to personnel, equipment, and the surrounding environment. The government's recourse options would depend on the contract's performance clauses and remedies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL 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

Parent Company: Bristol BAY Native Corporation (UEI: 060036357)

Address: 1200 GOLDEN KEY CIRCLE, STE. 400, EL PASO, TX, 16

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,442,094

Exercised Options: $19,442,094

Current Obligation: $19,442,094

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline