Agriculture Department awards $172K for relocation services to support animal production research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $172,464 ($172.5K)

Contractor: Weleski Transfer Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 59 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FORAGE ANIMAL PRODUCTION RESEARCH UNIT MUST RELOCATE OFFICE AND LAB EQUIPMENT FROM AG SCIENCE CENTER TO KENTUCKY TOBACCO RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (KTRDC). PROJECTED MOVE DATE: MID-MAY

Place of Performance

Location: LEXINGTON, FAYETTE County, KENTUCKY, 40506

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $172,464 to WELESKI TRANSFER INC for work described as: FORAGE ANIMAL PRODUCTION RESEARCH UNIT MUST RELOCATE OFFICE AND LAB EQUIPMENT FROM AG SCIENCE CENTER TO KENTUCKY TOBACCO RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (KTRDC). PROJECTED MOVE DATE: MID-MAY Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of moving lab equipment. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. The short duration of the contract (59 days) indicates a focused, time-sensitive task. 4. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract. 5. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $172,464 for relocation services seems appropriate for a specialized move involving office and lab equipment. While specific benchmarks for this exact service are difficult to ascertain without more detail on the scope of the move (e.g., volume, distance, specialized equipment), the fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty. The number of bids received (3) suggests some level of market interest, but a more robust competition might have yielded better pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. Three bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition for this specific service. While three bidders is not a large number, it does indicate that the service was not exclusively sought from a limited pool of providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing and potentially leading to cost savings compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the Department of Agriculture, ensuring the continuity of their animal production research. The services delivered include the physical relocation of office and lab equipment. The geographic impact is concentrated in Kentucky, specifically at the Kentucky Tobacco Research Development Center (KTRDC). Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving the moving company's personnel and potentially some coordination from ARS staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays impacting research timelines if the move is not executed efficiently.
Risk of damage to sensitive lab equipment during transit, requiring careful handling and insurance.

Positive Signals

Clear objective: relocation of essential research facilities.
Fixed-price contract helps manage budget predictability.
Delivery order indicates it's part of a potentially larger, established framework agreement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically logistics and consulting related to physical distribution. The market for relocation services is broad, but specialized moves involving laboratory equipment require specific expertise. The value is relatively small compared to larger federal contracts, but critical for the operational continuity of the research unit.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor utilizes small businesses for specific aspects of the relocation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Agricultural Research Service. Accountability is ensured through the fixed-price contract terms and the delivery order process. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though specific details of the move's execution are not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Agricultural Research Service Operations
Federal Relocation Services
Logistics and Transportation Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for damage to sensitive equipment
Risk of research disruption
Contract duration may be tight for complex moves

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $172,464 to WELESKI TRANSFER INC. FORAGE ANIMAL PRODUCTION RESEARCH UNIT MUST RELOCATE OFFICE AND LAB EQUIPMENT FROM AG SCIENCE CENTER TO KENTUCKY TOBACCO RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (KTRDC). PROJECTED MOVE DATE: MID-MAY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WELESKI TRANSFER INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $172,464.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the specific nature of the lab equipment being moved, and does it require specialized handling beyond standard office furniture?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the lab equipment. However, the description 'office and lab equipment' implies a mix. Lab equipment can range from standard glassware and centrifuges to highly sensitive and calibrated instruments (e.g., spectrometers, incubators, specialized freezers). If the latter is involved, it necessitates specialized packing, climate-controlled transport, and potentially on-site setup by technicians, which would justify the contract value and the need for experienced movers like Weleski Transfer Inc. Further details on the equipment's sensitivity and calibration requirements would be needed for a precise risk assessment.

How does the $172,464 contract value compare to similar federal relocation contracts for research facilities?

Benchmarking this specific contract value is challenging without more granular data on the scope of work, distance, and type of equipment. Federal relocation contracts can vary significantly. A move of office furniture and standard equipment over a short distance might cost tens of thousands, while a complex laboratory move involving specialized, high-value, or sensitive equipment across states could easily run into hundreds of thousands or even millions. Given the projected move date is mid-May and the contract duration is short (59 days), this value appears to be for a focused, potentially regional move. It is not exceptionally high but reflects the specialized nature of lab equipment.

What are the potential risks associated with relocating a research unit, and how are they mitigated in this contract?

Key risks include damage to sensitive lab equipment, disruption of ongoing research, data loss, and delays in resuming operations. Mitigation strategies evident in this contract include the use of a professional moving company (Weleski Transfer Inc.), a fixed-price contract to incentivize efficient completion, and a defined, albeit short, performance period (mid-May to end of April 2026). The contract's limited duration suggests a concentrated effort. However, the specific mitigation for equipment protection (e.g., insurance, specialized packing protocols) and continuity of research operations would depend on the detailed statement of work and the contractor's execution plan, which are not fully detailed in the provided summary.

What is the historical spending pattern for relocation services by the Agricultural Research Service or similar USDA agencies?

Historical spending data for relocation services by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) or the broader Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not provided in the summary. To assess historical patterns, one would need to analyze past contracts for similar services, noting the frequency, value, and scope of relocations. This would help determine if this $172,464 contract is typical, an outlier, or indicative of increased relocation activity. Analyzing trends over several fiscal years would reveal if ARS frequently relocates facilities or if this is an infrequent, project-specific event.

What is the track record of Weleski Transfer Inc. in performing federal relocation contracts, particularly those involving sensitive equipment?

The provided data identifies Weleski Transfer Inc. as the contractor but offers no information on their track record with federal contracts or their specific experience with sensitive lab equipment relocation. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), the number and types of federal contracts they have previously held, and any reported issues or successes. Without this information, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and expertise for this specific, potentially high-stakes, relocation task.

How does the relocation support the overall mission and objectives of the FORAGE ANIMAL PRODUCTION RESEARCH UNIT?

The relocation of the FORAGE ANIMAL PRODUCTION RESEARCH UNIT's office and lab equipment from the AG SCIENCE CENTER to the KENTUCKY TOBACCO RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (KTRDC) is essential for the unit to continue its mission. This move implies that the current facility is no longer suitable or available, or that the new location offers strategic advantages for research, collaboration, or resource access. By ensuring the seamless transfer of necessary infrastructure, the contract directly supports the unit's ability to conduct research on forage animal production, which is vital for agricultural innovation, livestock health, and food security.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › OTHER TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCAT SV

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1232SA26Q0274

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 140 W 4TH AVE, TARENTUM, PA, 15084

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $172,464

Exercised Options: $172,464

Current Obligation: $172,464

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMA23D08PK

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline