Interior's $466K water treatment maintenance contract awarded to AdEdge Water Technologies for arsenic removal

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,650 ($46.6K)

Contractor: Adedge Water Technologies LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2013-09-16

End Date: 2019-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,022 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR KEAMS CANYON WATER ARSENIC TREATMENT SYSTEM, KEAMS CANYON, AZ.

Place of Performance

Location: KEAMS CANYON, NAVAJO County, ARIZONA, 86034

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $46,650 to ADEDGE WATER TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR KEAMS CANYON WATER ARSENIC TREATMENT SYSTEM, KEAMS CANYON, AZ. Key points: 1. Contract focused on essential water treatment services, ensuring public health and safety. 2. Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. The contract duration and value appear moderate for specialized water treatment services. 4. Performance context is critical for assessing long-term value and reliability. 5. Sector positioning within water infrastructure highlights a vital public service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $466,500 over approximately five years for maintenance services for an arsenic treatment system appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar specialized water treatment contracts is challenging without more granular data on system complexity and service scope. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty for the government. The absence of significant contract modifications or overruns would further support a 'good' value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition for procurements below a certain threshold. The presence of 23 bids suggests robust market interest and a competitive environment. This level of competition is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing and ensuring the government receives fair market value for the services rendered.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition among 23 bidders indicates that taxpayers likely benefited from a price that reflects market dynamics, rather than being inflated due to a lack of viable alternatives.

Public Impact

Residents of Keams Canyon, Arizona, benefit from access to safe drinking water. The contract ensures the continued operation and maintenance of a critical arsenic treatment system. Geographic impact is localized to the Keams Canyon community. Workforce implications are likely related to specialized technicians for water treatment system maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if maintenance is not performed to standard.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure maintenance.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process suggests a focus on best value.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Maintenance of essential water treatment infrastructure is a positive outcome.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the water supply and irrigation systems sector, a critical component of public infrastructure. The market for specialized water treatment services, particularly for contaminants like arsenic, is driven by regulatory compliance and public health concerns. Spending in this area is often characterized by long-term operational needs and the necessity of expert maintenance. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific technology and scale of the treatment facility.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it provide information on subcontracting. Given the competitive nature with 23 bidders, it's possible small businesses participated, but their specific role or impact is not detailed here. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, agencies within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reviews may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Federal Water Quality Standards Enforcement
Tribal Water Infrastructure Programs
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)

Risk Flags

Potential for service interruption impacting public health.
Contractor performance risk for specialized maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $46,650 to ADEDGE WATER TECHNOLOGIES LLC. IGF::OT::IGF MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR KEAMS CANYON WATER ARSENIC TREATMENT SYSTEM, KEAMS CANYON, AZ.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADEDGE WATER TECHNOLOGIES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $46,650.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-16. End: 2019-03-31.

What is the track record of AdEdge Water Technologies LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal contract databases indicates that AdEdge Water Technologies LLC has been awarded multiple contracts, primarily for water treatment systems and services. While this specific contract for Keams Canyon is a notable award, their broader federal performance history would need to be examined to assess their overall reliability and experience. Analyzing past performance reviews, any contract disputes, or modifications on other government projects would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and adherence to contractual obligations. Without access to detailed performance metrics for this specific contract, a definitive assessment of their track record is limited.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar water treatment maintenance services?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $466,500 contract against similar water treatment maintenance services is challenging without specific details on the complexity of the Keams Canyon arsenic treatment system, the scope of services included (e.g., frequency of visits, parts replacement, emergency response), and the prevailing market rates in Arizona. However, the fact that it was competed under SAP with 23 bidders suggests that the pricing achieved was likely competitive. A more thorough value assessment would involve comparing the per-unit cost of service or maintenance hours to industry standards or other government contracts for comparable systems, adjusting for regional economic factors and service level agreements.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential underperformance by the contractor, leading to compromised water quality or system downtime, which could have significant public health implications for the Keams Canyon community. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen maintenance needs or price increases in parts and labor, although this is mitigated by the contract type. Furthermore, reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure maintenance poses a risk if the contractor faces financial instability or operational issues. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigating these risks.

How effective has the Bureau of Indian Affairs been in managing water infrastructure contracts like this one?

The effectiveness of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in managing water infrastructure contracts is a complex issue often influenced by resource constraints, geographical challenges, and the unique needs of tribal communities. Contracts like the one for Keams Canyon aim to address critical infrastructure needs, and their success depends on diligent oversight, adequate funding, and contractor performance. While specific data on the BIA's overall management effectiveness for water contracts isn't provided here, historical reports from the Inspector General's office sometimes highlight areas for improvement in contract administration, procurement processes, and ensuring long-term sustainability of infrastructure projects. The competitive nature of this particular award is a positive indicator of a potentially effective procurement process.

What is the historical spending pattern for water treatment maintenance services by the Department of the Interior?

The Department of the Interior (DOI) historically spends significant amounts on maintaining water infrastructure across its various bureaus, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which manages numerous water systems on tribal lands. Spending patterns are influenced by the age and condition of existing infrastructure, federal funding allocations, and the increasing need to address water quality issues, such as arsenic contamination. While the $466,500 for Keams Canyon is a specific instance, the DOI's overall budget for water management and infrastructure maintenance likely runs into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars annually, encompassing a wide range of services from routine upkeep to major upgrades and new construction.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Water, Sewage and Other Systems › Water Supply and Irrigation Systems

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: A13PS00868

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5152 BELLE WOOD CT STE A, BUFORD, GA, 30518

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,650

Exercised Options: $46,650

Current Obligation: $46,650

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline