Agriculture Department awards $286K for surveying subscriptions, raising questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,611 ($28.6K)

Contractor: Frontier Precision, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $79/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRIMBLE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Place of Performance

Location: BISMARCK, BURLEIGH County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58501

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $28,611 to FRONTIER PRECISION, INC for work described as: TRIMBLE SUBSCRIPTIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via purchase order, indicating a less formal procurement process. 2. Sole-source award suggests potential for higher pricing and limited market engagement. 3. Duration of 364 days aligns with typical subscription-based service agreements. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty but may limit flexibility. 5. Focus on surveying and mapping services points to a critical operational need. 6. Award to Frontier Precision, Inc. warrants a review of their past performance and pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $286,111 for surveying and mapping subscriptions over one year appears moderate. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or identify potential cost savings. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible value. Further analysis would require comparing this award to similar subscription services for surveying software and data, considering the specific features and support included.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Frontier Precision, Inc., was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities or urgent needs), they generally lead to less price discovery and potentially higher costs for the government. The lack of competition here means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most cost-effective solution available in the market.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers likely paid a premium, as there was no pressure on the vendor to offer the lowest possible price. This also limits transparency into the government's procurement practices.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, who will utilize the surveying and mapping subscriptions for their operations. The services delivered will support critical functions related to land management, resource assessment, or infrastructure planning within the agency. The geographic impact is primarily focused on North Dakota, where the contract is registered, suggesting localized operational needs. The contract may indirectly impact the surveying and mapping workforce by ensuring access to necessary tools and technologies for government employees or contractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding may result in inflated costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits opportunities for small businesses to compete for this contract.
Potential for vendor lock-in if the subscription service is proprietary or difficult to replace.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the Department of Agriculture.
Subscription model ensures access to up-to-date software and services.
Award to a single vendor can streamline implementation and support.

Sector Analysis

The surveying and mapping services sector is crucial for various government functions, including land management, infrastructure development, and environmental monitoring. This contract, valued at $286,111, falls within the broader IT and professional services categories, specifically focusing on specialized software and data subscriptions. Comparable spending in this sector can vary widely based on the scope of services, technology involved, and the agency's specific needs. The market includes a range of providers, from large software companies to specialized geospatial firms.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false) or specific subcontracting requirements mentioned in the provided data. The sole-source nature of the award further limits opportunities for small businesses to participate, either as the prime contractor or as subcontractors, unless they are specifically engaged by Frontier Precision, Inc. This could represent a missed opportunity to support the small business ecosystem within the surveying and mapping technology domain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, which is the contracting activity. As a purchase order, it may be subject to internal agency review and audit processes. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award and the lack of detailed public justification. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Geospatial Information Services
Surveying Equipment and Software
IT Subscriptions
Professional Services Contracts
Department of Agriculture IT Spending

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency in procurement process.
No clear small business subcontracting plan identified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $28,611 to FRONTIER PRECISION, INC. TRIMBLE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FRONTIER PRECISION, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28,611.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of Frontier Precision, Inc. in providing similar surveying and mapping subscription services to federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Frontier Precision, Inc. has received multiple awards, primarily for surveying and mapping equipment and services. While specific details on subscription services are limited in the provided data, their history suggests experience in this domain. Further investigation into contract performance reports and past performance evaluations for Frontier Precision, Inc. would be necessary to fully assess their track record. Understanding the scope and value of previous contracts, as well as any performance issues or commendations, is crucial for evaluating the reliability and quality of services provided under this new award.

How does the pricing of this $286,111 contract compare to similar surveying and mapping subscription services procured competitively by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $286,111 contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature. Competitive awards for similar surveying and mapping subscriptions would typically involve multiple bids, allowing for price discovery and comparison. Without such a comparison, it's difficult to ascertain if the government secured optimal value. To conduct a proper comparison, one would need to identify comparable contracts with similar service levels, user counts, software features, and support agreements, ideally awarded within the last 12-18 months. Analyzing the price per user or price per feature across different contracts would provide a clearer picture of whether this award is cost-effective.

What are the specific risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for surveying and mapping subscriptions?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing, as the absence of competition removes the incentive for the vendor to offer their best price. This can lead to the government overpaying for the services. Another significant risk is reduced innovation and service quality, as the vendor may face less pressure to continuously improve their offerings. Furthermore, sole-source awards can create vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly to switch providers in the future. There's also a risk of perceived unfairness or lack of transparency in the procurement process, which can impact public trust.

How effective are surveying and mapping subscription services in supporting the Department of Agriculture's core mission and operational objectives?

Surveying and mapping subscription services are generally considered highly effective tools for agencies like the Department of Agriculture, which manage vast land resources and require precise spatial data for various operations. These services can support functions such as land inventory, environmental monitoring, agricultural planning, infrastructure development, and disaster response. The effectiveness hinges on the quality of the data, the capabilities of the software, and the user proficiency. Ensuring the chosen subscription aligns with specific departmental needs and that users are adequately trained is key to maximizing its effectiveness and return on investment.

What has been the historical spending pattern for surveying and mapping services within the Department of Agriculture over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for surveying and mapping services within the Department of Agriculture over the past five years would provide valuable context for this $286,111 award. This would involve examining the total expenditure on such services, the types of contracts awarded (competitive vs. sole-source), the primary vendors utilized, and the average contract values. A trend of increasing or decreasing spending, or a shift towards subscription-based models, could indicate evolving needs or procurement strategies. Understanding this history helps assess whether the current award is consistent with past practices or represents a new direction, and whether previous spending has yielded satisfactory results.

Are there any specific justifications or circumstances that led to this contract being awarded on a sole-source basis rather than through full and open competition?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT COMPETED' (ct: NOT COMPETED) and identified as a 'PURCHASE ORDER' (aw: PURCHASE ORDER), which often implies a sole-source or limited competition scenario. Without further documentation, the specific justification for this sole-source award remains unclear. Typical reasons for sole-source procurement include the availability of only one responsible source, urgent and compelling needs that preclude competition, or when the contract modification exceeds certain thresholds. A thorough review of the agency's justification documentation, often found in contract files or justifications for other than full and open competition (JOFOC), would be required to understand the rationale behind this procurement decision.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1713 BURLINGTON DR, BISMARCK, ND, 58504

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,611

Exercised Options: $28,611

Current Obligation: $28,611

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline