Agriculture Dept. Pays $9,096 for 14-Day Freight Service, Highlighting Specific Shipping Needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,096 ($9.1K)

Contractor: Dhx-Dependable Hawaiian Express Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 14 days

Daily Burn Rate: $650/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: /4300014894/FREIGHT DRY - 40' CONTAINER - NOT REFRIG

Place of Performance

Location: HONOLULU, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96819

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $9,096.45 to DHX-DEPENDABLE HAWAIIAN EXPRESS INC for work described as: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: /4300014894/FREIGHT DRY - 40' CONTAINER - NOT REFRIG Key points: 1. The contract for freight services was awarded to DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express Inc. for $9,096.45. 2. The service involves transporting dry goods via a 40' container, indicating a need for bulk, non-perishable cargo movement. 3. The contract duration is short, 14 days, suggesting a specific, time-sensitive delivery requirement. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 483111 points to Deep Sea Freight Transportation as the primary sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The price of $9,096.45 for 14 days of deep sea freight for a 40' container appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the service and the destination. Benchmarking against similar international or inter-island freight contracts would provide a clearer picture.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting that while competition was sought, certain sources were initially excluded. This method might limit the pool of bidders and potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential logistics supporting food donations, ensuring efficient delivery of goods.

Public Impact

Ensures timely delivery of food donations to their intended destinations. Supports the logistical backbone of government food assistance programs. Facilitates the movement of essential goods, potentially impacting food security initiatives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 65 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition could lead to higher costs.
Short contract duration may indicate a lack of long-term planning or a specific urgent need.

Positive Signals

Supports critical food donation logistics.
Utilizes a specialized freight service for specific cargo needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Transportation and Warehousing sector, specifically deep sea freight. The spending benchmark for such services can vary widely based on route, cargo type, and container size, but $9,096.45 for a 14-day 40' container shipment is within a plausible range for specialized routes.

Small Business Impact

There is no specific indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract or had the opportunity to bid. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service. Oversight would involve ensuring the freight services are performed as specified and that the pricing remains competitive and justified throughout the contract's duration.

Related Government Programs

Deep Sea Freight Transportation
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Marketing Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Short contract duration might indicate a reactive rather than proactive procurement strategy.
Lack of clear per-unit cost benchmark makes value assessment difficult.
Destination-specific logistics can sometimes command premium pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $9,096.45 to DHX-DEPENDABLE HAWAIIAN EXPRESS INC. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: /4300014894/FREIGHT DRY - 40' CONTAINER - NOT REFRIG

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DHX-DEPENDABLE HAWAIIAN EXPRESS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Marketing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9,096.45.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-05-15.

What was the specific reason for excluding certain sources in the competition process, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The exclusion of sources likely stemmed from specific requirements related to the destination (Hawaii), cargo type (dry goods in a 40' container), or the need for specialized deep-sea freight capabilities. Understanding the exact criteria for exclusion is crucial to assess if it limited competitive options and potentially inflated the final price paid by taxpayers.

How does the per-unit cost of this freight service compare to similar shipments for food donations or other government agencies?

Benchmarking this $9,096.45 contract against similar deep-sea freight services for 40' containers, especially those involving food donations or government agencies, is essential. Without comparative data, it's difficult to definitively assess if the price represents good value or if taxpayers are overpaying for this specific logistical support.

What is the overall effectiveness of this freight service in supporting the USG's food donation program, considering the cost and duration?

The effectiveness hinges on whether this 14-day, $9,096.45 shipment successfully transported the intended food donations to their destination without issues. While the cost seems reasonable for specialized freight, its true effectiveness is measured by its contribution to the food donation program's goals and the timely arrival of critical supplies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation › Deep Sea Freight Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ALTERNATIVE SOURCES

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Dependable Highway Express Inc

Address: 19201 S SUSANA RD, COMPTON, CA, 90221

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,096

Exercised Options: $9,096

Current Obligation: $9,096

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline