Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs Awards $46K for Library Books to Follett Content Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,317 ($46.3K)

Contractor: Follett Content Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-08-22

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 374 days

Daily Burn Rate: $124/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LIBRARY BOOKS FOR RED ROCK DAY SCHOOL

Place of Performance

Location: MCHENRY, MCHENRY County, ILLINOIS, 60050

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $46,316.89 to FOLLETT CONTENT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: LIBRARY BOOKS FOR RED ROCK DAY SCHOOL Key points: 1. Spending is for library books for Red Rock Day School. 2. The contract was awarded to Follett Content Solutions, LLC. 3. The award value is $46,316.89. 4. The contract duration is 374 days. 5. This is a sole-source award.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $46,316.89 for library books appears reasonable for a single school's needs. However, without specific details on the quantity and type of books, a precise comparison to similar contracts is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning it was not competed. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs than if multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this purchase. The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the best possible price was obtained.

Public Impact

Students at Red Rock Day School will benefit from new library resources. The award supports educational materials for Native American students. The sole-source nature of the award limits transparency in pricing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Limited competition

Positive Signals

Supports educational needs
Specific vendor identified

Sector Analysis

The education sector, particularly for Native American schools, often faces unique procurement challenges. Spending on educational materials like library books is crucial for student development. Benchmarks for similar book procurements can vary widely based on quantity, subject matter, and vendor.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement. The award was made directly to a single, likely larger, vendor.

Oversight & Accountability

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education are responsible for this award. Oversight should ensure that the funds are used appropriately and that future procurements explore competitive options where feasible.

Related Government Programs

Book Publishers
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Lack of transparency in pricing.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $46,316.89 to FOLLETT CONTENT SOLUTIONS, LLC. LIBRARY BOOKS FOR RED ROCK DAY SCHOOL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOLLETT CONTENT SOLUTIONS, LLC.

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 $46,316.89.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-22. End: 2025-08-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were any attempts made to identify other potential suppliers?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or circumstances that preclude competition. Without further documentation, it's unclear if alternative suppliers were considered or if specific reasons, such as a pre-existing relationship or specialized content, led to this decision. Future procurements should prioritize competitive bidding to ensure best value.

How does the per-unit cost of these library books compare to industry averages for educational materials?

A precise per-unit cost comparison is not possible without knowing the number and specific titles of books purchased. However, given the sole-source nature, there's a risk that the pricing may not be as competitive as it could be if multiple vendors had submitted bids. Further analysis would require a detailed breakdown of the items procured.

What is the long-term impact of sole-source awards on the cost-effectiveness of educational material procurement for Bureau of Indian Education schools?

Sole-source awards, while sometimes necessary, can lead to higher costs over the long term due to the lack of competitive pressure. This can reduce the overall cost-effectiveness of educational material procurement. Regularly seeking competitive bids for similar needs helps ensure that schools receive the best value for taxpayer dollars and fosters a more efficient market.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › Book Publishers

Product/Service Code: BOOKS, MAPS, OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140A2324P0656

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1340 RIDGEVIEW DR, MCHENRY, IL, 60050

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,317

Exercised Options: $46,317

Current Obligation: $46,317

Actual Outlays: $46,317

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline