Interior Department awards $904K for utility poles, hardware to J & N Marketing, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $904,508 ($904.5K)

Contractor: J & N Marketing, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-06-05

End Date: 2026-05-28

Contract Duration: 357 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CRA-ES: UTILITY POLES AND HARDWARE

Place of Performance

Location: PARKER, LA PAZ County, ARIZONA, 85344

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $904,508.23 to J & N MARKETING, INC. for work described as: CRA-ES: UTILITY POLES AND HARDWARE Key points: 1. Contract awarded through Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 2. The contract is for a firm-fixed-price purchase order, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. J & N Marketing, Inc. is the sole awardee, with competition details not fully elaborated in the provided data. 4. The contract duration of 357 days indicates a short-term need for these supplies. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 335999 covers 'All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing'. 6. Awarded to a single vendor, the potential for price optimization through broader competition is limited.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $904,508.23 for utility poles and hardware appears to be a specific procurement for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Without detailed breakdowns of the specific items, quantities, and their market prices, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which typically involve smaller dollar amounts and may not achieve the same level of price competition as larger, full-and-open procurements. Benchmarking against similar, detailed contracts for utility hardware would be necessary for a more precise evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). While this indicates some level of competition was pursued, the specific number of bidders or the method of competition is not detailed. SAP is generally used for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold, and while it allows for competition, it may not always involve the same breadth of outreach as full-and-open competition. The limited information makes it difficult to assess if the competition level was sufficient to drive optimal pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests a streamlined procurement process, which can be efficient for smaller needs. However, the lack of detailed competition information means taxpayers may not be benefiting from the most aggressive pricing achievable through a wider bidding process.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education are the primary beneficiaries, likely receiving essential infrastructure components. The contract supports the delivery of utility poles and hardware, crucial for maintaining or expanding electrical infrastructure. The geographic impact is focused on Arizona (AZ), where the contract is being performed. The contract supports the manufacturing sector within the electrical equipment and component industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition details under SAP may have restricted price discovery.
Lack of specific itemization makes it hard to benchmark unit costs against market rates.
The sole awardee means no direct comparison of multiple vendor proposals for this specific award.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Simplified Acquisition Procedures can lead to faster award times for urgent needs.
Award supports a specific manufacturing sector.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing' sector, identified by NAICS code 335999. This broad category encompasses a wide range of electrical products not elsewhere classified. The market for utility poles and hardware is essential for maintaining and expanding electrical grids, telecommunications, and other infrastructure. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on infrastructure upgrade cycles, new construction projects, and disaster recovery efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader categories of electrical equipment procurement by government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits to the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The awardee, J & N MARKETING, INC., is not specified as a small business in the provided data, so its size status would need further investigation to understand its impact on the small business landscape.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. As a purchase order awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, it is likely subject to internal agency procurement policies and reviews. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award details. Specific accountability measures would be detailed in the purchase order itself, and any significant issues could be subject to review by the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

Utility Infrastructure Procurement
Electrical Equipment Manufacturing
Bureau of Indian Affairs Contracts
Bureau of Indian Education Contracts
Department of the Interior Purchases

Risk Flags

Limited competition details
Lack of detailed cost breakdown
Potential for price variance under SAP

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $904,508.23 to J & N MARKETING, INC.. CRA-ES: UTILITY POLES AND HARDWARE

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 $904,508.23.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-05. End: 2026-05-28.

What is the specific nature of the 'utility poles and hardware' being procured, and what are their intended uses?

The provided data identifies the procurement as 'CRA-ES: UTILITY POLES AND HARDWARE' under NAICS code 335999 ('All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing'). While the exact specifications are not detailed, 'utility poles' typically refer to structures used to support overhead power lines, telephone lines, and other public utilities. 'Hardware' would encompass the associated components like crossarms, insulators, brackets, and fasteners necessary for installation and connection. These are essential for maintaining and expanding electrical distribution networks, telecommunications infrastructure, and potentially other utility services managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, likely within the geographic scope of Arizona.

How does the $904,508.23 contract value compare to typical spending for similar utility hardware procurements by the Department of the Interior?

Benchmarking this $904,508.23 contract against typical spending for similar utility hardware procurements by the Department of the Interior is challenging without more granular data. The contract was awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which are generally for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000, though specific agency thresholds can vary). This suggests the procurement might be for a specific, perhaps smaller-scale need, or that the agency has a higher SAP threshold for certain categories. Larger infrastructure projects involving utility poles and hardware often involve much larger dollar values and are procured through full-and-open competition. Without knowing the exact quantities, types of poles, and specific hardware components, a direct comparison of unit costs or total value is difficult. However, the value itself is substantial enough to warrant careful consideration of pricing and competition.

What is the track record of J & N MARKETING, INC. in performing federal contracts, particularly for electrical equipment?

Information regarding the specific track record of J & N MARKETING, INC. in performing federal contracts, especially for electrical equipment, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review past awards, performance ratings, and any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar products (utility poles and hardware) and their ability to meet delivery schedules and quality standards would be crucial for evaluating the risk associated with this award. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and past performance.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Awarding contracts under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) can introduce certain risks, primarily related to competition and price optimization. While SAP is designed for efficiency and speed in procuring goods and services below a certain threshold, it may not always attract the same level of robust competition as full-and-open solicitations. This can potentially lead to higher prices than might be achievable through broader market outreach. Additionally, the documentation and oversight requirements under SAP are often less stringent than for larger contracts, which could increase the risk of non-compliance or performance issues if not managed diligently by the contracting officer. The limited data provided on the competition for this specific award makes it difficult to assess if these risks materialized.

How does the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type influence the risk allocation between the government and J & N MARKETING, INC.?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type significantly influences risk allocation by placing the majority of the cost risk on the contractor, J & N MARKETING, INC. Under an FFP agreement, the contractor is obligated to complete the work or deliver the goods for a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs incurred. This means that if J & N MARKETING, INC.'s costs for manufacturing or acquiring the utility poles and hardware exceed their estimates, their profit margin will decrease, or they may even incur a loss. Conversely, if their costs are lower than anticipated, their profit will increase. For the government, the primary benefit of an FFP contract is cost certainty; the total price is fixed, making budgeting and financial planning more predictable. The main risk for the government is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or delivery to protect their profit margin if unforeseen cost increases arise, although this is mitigated by contract terms and oversight.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Utility Poles and Hardware' by the Department of the Interior or its sub-agencies?

Analyzing the historical spending pattern for 'Utility Poles and Hardware' by the Department of the Interior (DOI) or its sub-agencies requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data over multiple fiscal years. The provided data snippet only shows a single award for $904,508.23. To understand historical patterns, one would need to query databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for contracts categorized under relevant NAICS codes (like 335999) and Product Service Codes (PSCs) related to poles, hardware, and electrical equipment, specifically filtering for the DOI and its bureaus (e.g., Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education). This would reveal the frequency, value, and types of competition for such procurements over time. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to determine if this award represents a typical, increased, or decreased level of spending for these items.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140A1125Q0045

Offers Received: 2

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: $904,508

Exercised Options: $904,508

Current Obligation: $904,508

Actual Outlays: $286,597

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline