Forest Service awards $634K contract for ground trash pickup to SW GOODMAN LLC, emphasizing full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $63,414 ($63.4K)

Contractor: SW Goodman LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-04-02

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $174/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GROUND TRASH PICKUP SERVICES AND LIGHT MAINTENANCE FOR THE CAVE CREEK RANGER DISTRICT.

Place of Performance

Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85006

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $63,414 to SW GOODMAN LLC for work described as: GROUND TRASH PICKUP SERVICES AND LIGHT MAINTENANCE FOR THE CAVE CREEK RANGER DISTRICT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to SW GOODMAN LLC for essential waste management services. 2. The contract duration is one year, with a firm fixed price structure. 3. Competition was conducted under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources'. 4. The service area is the Cave Creek Ranger District in Arizona. 5. This contract supports the operational needs of the Forest Service. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 562111 (Solid Waste Collection).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $634,140 for one year of ground trash pickup and light maintenance appears reasonable for the services rendered. Benchmarking against similar contracts for waste management in remote or specialized environments is challenging without more granular data on service levels and geographic scope. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded for defined reasons, or the initial solicitation might have had limitations. The number of bidders (10) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service.

Taxpayer Impact: A moderate number of bidders generally allows for competitive pricing, potentially leading to better value for taxpayers compared to sole-source or highly restricted procurements.

Public Impact

Benefits park visitors and staff by ensuring clean and sanitary conditions in the Cave Creek Ranger District. Provides essential solid waste collection and light maintenance services. Geographic impact is localized to the Cave Creek Ranger District in Arizona. Supports the operational efficiency of the Forest Service in managing public lands.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased costs if unforeseen maintenance issues arise beyond the scope of 'light maintenance'.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical operational service.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for good value.
Clear service description and defined contract period.

Sector Analysis

The solid waste collection industry (NAICS 562111) is a mature sector. Contracts for government services, particularly in specialized environments like national forests, often involve unique logistical challenges. The market size for such niche services can be smaller than general municipal waste collection, potentially leading to higher per-unit costs. This contract fits within the broader government spending on facility maintenance and operational support for public lands.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, SW GOODMAN LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information on subcontracting plans. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral as there was no small business set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the contracting officer and the Forest Service's contract administration team. The firm fixed-price nature provides some accountability by linking payment to service delivery. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed performance metrics and oversight reports are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Land Management Contracts
Public Lands Maintenance
Solid Waste Management Services
Forest Service Operational Support

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in 'light maintenance' definition.
Dependence on contractor performance for essential service delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $63,414 to SW GOODMAN LLC. GROUND TRASH PICKUP SERVICES AND LIGHT MAINTENANCE FOR THE CAVE CREEK RANGER DISTRICT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SW GOODMAN LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $63,414.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-04-02.

What is the track record of SW GOODMAN LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Agriculture?

Information regarding the specific track record of SW GOODMAN LLC with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Agriculture or the Forest Service, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases to analyze past performance, contract history, and any reported issues or commendations. Without this specific data, it's difficult to assess their past performance reliability and experience in fulfilling similar government requirements.

How does the awarded price compare to similar ground trash pickup and light maintenance contracts in other national forest districts?

Direct comparison of the $634,140 annual cost for this contract to similar services in other national forest districts is challenging without detailed service scope, geographic area specifics, and local cost-of-living/operational factors. However, contracts for specialized services in remote or environmentally sensitive areas often command higher prices due to logistical complexities and potentially fewer service providers. A thorough benchmark analysis would involve identifying comparable contracts, normalizing for contract duration, service frequency, volume of waste, and the extent of 'light maintenance' required.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Forest Service?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential service disruptions if SW GOODMAN LLC fails to perform adequately, leading to unsanitary conditions or operational impediments. There's also a risk related to the definition and scope of 'light maintenance'; disputes could arise if the contractor's interpretation differs from the Forest Service's expectations, potentially leading to scope creep or unmet needs. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for a year introduces vendor performance risk. The firm fixed-price structure mitigates financial risk for the government regarding cost overruns but does not eliminate performance risk.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method in ensuring optimal value for this type of service?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance broad competition with specific needs or circumstances that might necessitate excluding certain potential offerors. For a service like ground trash pickup in a specific ranger district, this method could be effective if there were prior performance issues with certain vendors or if specific technical capabilities were required that only a subset of potential bidders possessed. However, if the exclusions were not well-justified or overly broad, it could limit the competitive pool, potentially impacting price discovery and overall value for taxpayers. The fact that 10 bids were received suggests a reasonable, though not maximal, level of competition.

What is the historical spending pattern for ground trash pickup and light maintenance services within the Forest Service or similar agencies?

Historical spending patterns for ground trash pickup and light maintenance within the Forest Service or similar agencies can vary significantly based on the number of facilities managed, geographic spread, and specific service requirements. Agencies often bundle these services with broader facilities maintenance contracts or procure them through task orders under larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles. Analyzing historical data would involve looking at past contract awards for similar services, noting trends in contract values, durations, and competition levels. Without specific historical data for the Cave Creek Ranger District or comparable locations, it's difficult to establish a precise spending pattern, but such services are a recurring operational necessity for land management agencies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Collection › Solid Waste Collection

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 127EAU25Q0072

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10888 N 70TH ST APT 232, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85254

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $334,315

Exercised Options: $63,414

Current Obligation: $63,414

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline