Agriculture Department awards $7,375 contract for greenhouse sink installation, completed in 31 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,375 ($7.4K)

Contractor: RED Bison Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-05-11

Contract Duration: 31 days

Daily Burn Rate: $238/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SINK INSTALLATION IN GREENHOUSE BAY 1 AT THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL RESEARCH CENTER.

Place of Performance

Location: NEW ORLEANS, ORLEANS County, LOUISIANA, 70124

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $7,375 to RED BISON SERVICES, LLC for work described as: SINK INSTALLATION IN GREENHOUSE BAY 1 AT THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL RESEARCH CENTER. Key points: 1. Contract value is relatively low, suggesting a focused scope of work. 2. Single award indicates a specific need or limited market for this service. 3. Short performance period implies a straightforward, non-complex task. 4. Fixed-price contract shifts risk to the contractor for cost overruns. 5. Contractor has a presence in Louisiana, potentially indicating local sourcing. 6. No small business set-aside suggests the competition was open to all qualified firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7,375 for sink installation is modest. Benchmarking against similar facilities support services contracts of this nature is challenging due to the highly specific and localized scope. However, the fixed-price nature suggests the government secured a defined cost for the service. The short duration and clear deliverable imply that the price is likely fair for the work performed, assuming no unforeseen complexities arose.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which typically means that the agency initially considered other sources but ultimately decided to compete it broadly. The specific details of how many bids were received are not provided, but the designation implies a competitive process was intended. This approach aims to ensure fair pricing and access to the widest range of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even if it involved excluding some initial sources, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality.

Public Impact

Researchers at the Southern Regional Research Center benefit from improved facilities. The installation of a new sink in Greenhouse Bay 1 supports ongoing agricultural research activities. The geographic impact is localized to the New Orleans, Louisiana area where the center is located. The contract supports a small business, Red Bison Services, LLC, contributing to local economic activity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on contractor's past performance for similar government contracts.
The specific nature of the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process warrants further clarity.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair market approach.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Short performance period indicates a well-defined and manageable task.
Contractor is based in Louisiana, potentially supporting local economy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing maintenance, repair, and operational support for government facilities. The market for such services is diverse, ranging from large facility management companies to specialized trade contractors. The value of this specific contract is small, indicating a niche requirement rather than a large-scale facility operation. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the highly specific nature of installing a single sink in a research greenhouse.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the data indicates the contractor, Red Bison Services, LLC, is a small business. This suggests that while not specifically targeted for small businesses, a small business was competitive enough to win the award. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting requirements for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the Department of Agriculture. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by 'AW' for Delivery Order), oversight might be managed by the contracting officer and program managers responsible for the Southern Regional Research Center. Transparency is moderate, with basic award details available, but deeper insights into performance monitoring or specific oversight mechanisms are not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Agricultural Research Service Facilities Maintenance
Department of Agriculture General Services
Research Facility Support Contracts
Greenhouse Operations and Maintenance

Risk Flags

Short performance period may increase risk of rushed work if not managed properly.
Limited information on contractor's past performance requires careful monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $7,375 to RED BISON SERVICES, LLC. SINK INSTALLATION IN GREENHOUSE BAY 1 AT THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL RESEARCH CENTER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RED BISON SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7,375.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-05-11.

What is the track record of Red Bison Services, LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Agriculture?

Information regarding the specific track record of Red Bison Services, LLC with federal contracts, especially within the Department of Agriculture, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing contract databases to identify past awards, performance evaluations, and any history of disputes or issues. Without this data, it's difficult to assess their experience level and reliability for government work. The current award is a single delivery order for a specific task, suggesting it might be one of their initial or smaller engagements with the agency.

How does the $7,375 cost compare to similar sink installation projects in federal research facilities?

Benchmarking the $7,375 cost for a single sink installation in a research greenhouse against similar federal projects is challenging due to the highly specific nature of the task and the limited data provided. Typically, sink installations can vary significantly based on plumbing requirements, materials, location, and the complexity of the facility. For a straightforward installation in a controlled environment like a greenhouse, this price might be considered reasonable, especially given the fixed-price contract type which includes contractor profit and overhead. However, without comparative data on labor rates, material costs, and the scope of work for other similar federal projects, a definitive value assessment is difficult.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract are likely related to the timely and quality completion of the sink installation within the short 31-day performance period. Potential issues could include unforeseen plumbing challenges, material delays, or contractor performance issues. Mitigation is primarily addressed through the 'Firm Fixed Price' contract type, which places the financial risk of cost overruns on the contractor. Additionally, the short duration and specific scope suggest a manageable task. The Department of Agriculture's oversight, though not detailed, would also play a role in ensuring satisfactory performance and adherence to specifications.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method for a contract of this size and scope?

For a contract of this modest size ($7,375) and specific scope (sink installation), the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method might be considered more rigorous than necessary. While it aims to ensure the best value, the administrative effort involved in a full competition could potentially outweigh the savings on such a small award. The 'exclusion of sources' aspect suggests an initial consideration of specific vendors or methods before opening it up. For smaller, routine tasks, simpler procurement methods might be more efficient, though this approach does ensure a baseline level of fairness and market testing.

What is the historical spending pattern for facilities support services at the Southern Regional Research Center?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for facilities support services at the Southern Regional Research Center. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar services at this specific location over several fiscal years. This would involve looking at the frequency, value, and types of facilities support contracts awarded, as well as the contractors involved. Such an analysis could reveal trends in spending, identify recurring needs, and provide context for the current $7,375 contract in relation to the center's overall maintenance and operational budget.

What are the implications of the 31-day performance period for the contractor and the agency?

A 31-day performance period for a sink installation implies a tightly scheduled and well-defined task. For the contractor, it necessitates efficient resource allocation and prompt execution to meet the deadline and avoid penalties or issues under the fixed-price agreement. For the agency, it means a relatively quick resolution of the facility need, allowing the greenhouse to return to full operational status promptly. This short timeframe suggests the scope was carefully scoped to be achievable within a month, minimizing disruption to research activities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2232 FAYETTE ST, KENNER, LA, 70062

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,375

Exercised Options: $7,375

Current Obligation: $7,375

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12405B24D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline