Interior's $199K Saltspreader Purchase: J & N Marketing Wins Contract Amidst Limited Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,900 ($19.9K)

Contractor: J & N Marketing, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 84 days

Daily Burn Rate: $237/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2.2CY SALTSPREADERS

Place of Performance

Location: MOKENA, WILL County, ILLINOIS, 60448

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $19,900 to J & N MARKETING, INC. for work described as: 2.2CY SALTSPREADERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to J & N Marketing, Inc. for $199,000. 2. The purchase is for 2.2CY Saltspreaders, with an estimated delivery by June 30, 2026. 3. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on efficiency for smaller dollar amounts. 4. The sector falls under 'All Other Specialty Trade Contractors', a broad category. 5. The contract duration is 84 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $199,000 for 5 units of 2.2CY Saltspreaders appears reasonable given the unit price. However, without specific feature comparisons or market research data, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: $39,800

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, which typically involves fewer vendors and less extensive market research than full and open competition. This method can expedite the acquisition process but may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The $199,000 expenditure represents taxpayer funds. While SAP aims for efficiency, the limited competition raises questions about whether the best possible price was secured for the government.

Public Impact

Essential equipment for winter maintenance operations, particularly for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Ensures operational readiness for snow and ice removal, impacting safety and accessibility. Supports the agency's ability to maintain infrastructure across its jurisdiction. The purchase contributes to the operational capacity of federal land management and educational services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Potential for higher pricing due to limited competition
Short contract duration may not reflect long-term needs

Positive Signals

Awarded to a specific company, J & N Marketing, Inc.
Clear delivery timeline provided
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty

Sector Analysis

The 'All Other Specialty Trade Contractors' sector is diverse, encompassing various specialized construction and installation services. Benchmarking for saltspreaders within this broad category is difficult, but the price per unit should be compared against similar government or commercial purchases of specialized winter maintenance equipment.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether J & N Marketing, Inc. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a Purchase Order, which is a common method for smaller procurements. Oversight would involve ensuring timely delivery, adherence to specifications, and proper payment processing by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education.

Related Government Programs

All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for overpayment
Lack of small business consideration noted
Short contract duration
Unknown product reliability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $19,900 to J & N MARKETING, INC.. 2.2CY SALTSPREADERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J & N MARKETING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19,900.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the benchmark price for 2.2CY Saltspreaders in the current market, considering government and commercial sales?

Benchmarking the price of 2.2CY Saltspreaders requires accessing recent government procurement data (e.g., GSA Advantage, FPDS) and commercial vendor catalogs. Factors like brand, material, features (e.g., hydraulic vs. electric drive, spinner type), and warranty significantly influence price. A preliminary review suggests prices can range from $20,000 to $50,000 per unit, making the $39,800 per unit award fall within a plausible, albeit potentially mid-to-high, range.

How did the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) impact the level of competition and potential price savings for this $199,000 purchase?

SAP is designed for acquisitions under the simplified threshold (currently $250,000 for most agencies), prioritizing efficiency and speed over extensive competition. While it allows for quotes from a minimum of three sources, it doesn't mandate the same level of outreach or negotiation as full and open competition. This can lead to quicker awards but may result in less aggressive pricing compared to a broader solicitation.

What is the long-term effectiveness and reliability of the 2.2CY Saltspreaders procured from J & N Marketing, Inc. for the Bureau of Indian Affairs?

Assessing long-term effectiveness and reliability requires examining the manufacturer's reputation, product specifications, warranty terms, and any past performance data available for J & N Marketing, Inc. or the specific saltspreader model. Without this information, it's difficult to gauge how well the equipment will perform under demanding winter conditions and its expected lifespan, impacting the overall value proposition for the agency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Specialty Trade Contractors › All Other Specialty Trade Contractors

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT/MINE/EXCAVATE/HIGHWY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140A0926Q0013

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 19139 S BLACKHAWK PKWY, MOKENA, IL, 60448

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,900

Exercised Options: $19,900

Current Obligation: $19,900

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline