DOD awards $15.3M for Cole M. Rivers Hatchery Operations, lacking competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,299,985 ($15.3M)
Contractor: State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-10-01
End Date: 2025-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,886 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: COLE M. RIVERS HATCHERY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: TRAIL, JACKSON County, OREGON, 97541
State: Oregon Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.3 million to STATE OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE for work described as: COLE M. RIVERS HATCHERY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $15.3M for hatchery services. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery and value. 3. The contract is for professional, scientific, and technical services. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Army, supporting state wildlife efforts.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value is substantial, but without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal. Benchmarking against similar services is challenging due to the lack of disclosed comparable contract data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This method bypasses the typical price discovery mechanisms inherent in competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential hatchery operation and maintenance services.
Public Impact
Essential services for fish hatchery operations will continue uninterrupted. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. Supports wildlife management and conservation efforts in Oregon. Federal funds are being directed to a specific state agency's operational needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 81 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Ensures continuity of essential services
- Supports state-level conservation efforts
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically related to environmental and natural resource management. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but a $15.3M sole-source award warrants scrutiny for efficiency.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses, and the award was not competed. This suggests that small businesses likely did not have an opportunity to bid on this significant contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests that standard competitive oversight processes may have been bypassed. Further review is needed to understand the justification for the sole-source award and ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- No small business participation evident
- Limited transparency on justification
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, or, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.3 million to STATE OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. COLE M. RIVERS HATCHERY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STATE OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-10-01. End: 2025-11-30.
What was the justification for not competing this contract, and were alternative solutions explored?
The justification for not competing this contract is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards require a strong rationale, such as a unique capability or urgent need. Without this information, it's impossible to assess if alternative solutions were considered or if this was the most cost-effective approach for the government.
How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for similar hatchery operations and maintenance services?
Direct comparison is difficult without competitive data. However, the $15.3M value for a 5-year contract (approx. $3M annually) for hatchery operations and maintenance is substantial. A lack of competition means there's no market validation of this price, raising concerns about potential overpayment compared to what could be achieved through bidding.
What is the long-term effectiveness of relying on sole-source contracts for essential operational services like this?
Sole-source contracts can ensure service continuity but may lead to complacency and higher costs over time. Without competitive pressure, there's less incentive for the contractor to innovate or offer the best value. This approach can be effective for very specific, unique needs but is generally less effective for ongoing operational services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W9127N20R0023
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4034 FAIRVIEW INDUS RD SE, SALEM, OR, 97302
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,299,985
Exercised Options: $15,299,985
Current Obligation: $15,299,985
Actual Outlays: $3,757,678
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-10-01
Current End Date: 2025-11-30
Potential End Date: 2025-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-15
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