Urgent backhoe repair for Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge awarded to Landmark Implement Inc. for $2,911.80

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,912 ($2.9K)

Contractor: Landmark Implement Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 182 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: KS - KIRWIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - URGENT - BACKHOE REPAIR

Place of Performance

Location: BEATRICE, GAGE County, NEBRASKA, 68310

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2,911.8 to LANDMARK IMPLEMENT INC for work described as: KS - KIRWIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - URGENT - BACKHOE REPAIR Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential equipment repair, ensuring operational continuity for wildlife refuge. 2. Sole-source award indicates potential lack of competitive bidding for this specific repair need. 3. Repair duration of 182 days suggests a potentially complex or lengthy service requirement. 4. The urgency of the repair may have influenced the procurement method and pricing. 5. Focus on machinery repair aligns with the operational needs of land management agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2,911.80 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. However, for an urgent backhoe repair, the price appears reasonable, assuming it covers necessary parts and labor. Without specific details on the repair scope or parts required, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis due to urgency or a lack of readily available alternative vendors for specialized repair. The absence of competition means the government did not benefit from price discovery through multiple bids, potentially leading to a higher price than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this urgent repair means taxpayers may have paid a premium, as the contractor faced no pressure to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from the timely repair of critical equipment. Wildlife management and conservation activities at Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge can continue uninterrupted. The repair supports the operational infrastructure necessary for maintaining the refuge's natural resources. Local or regional service providers capable of specialized heavy equipment repair may be involved.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing for urgent repairs.
Urgency may have bypassed standard procurement processes, limiting oversight.
Limited transparency on the specific repair details and justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Award ensures critical equipment is operational, supporting agency mission.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Contract addresses an urgent operational need, preventing service disruption.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the industrial machinery repair and maintenance sector, a critical support service for government agencies managing physical assets. The market for such services is often localized, with specialized repair shops catering to specific types of heavy equipment like backhoes. While the dollar amount is small, it represents a necessary expenditure for maintaining operational readiness in land management.

Small Business Impact

As this was a sole-source award and not competed, there is no direct indication of small business subcontracting opportunities or set-aside considerations. The nature of specialized heavy equipment repair might favor larger, established service centers, but smaller, local mechanics could also be involved depending on the specific expertise required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's internal procurement and financial management systems. Given the small dollar value and sole-source nature, formal oversight might be minimal, relying on the contracting officer's determination of necessity and fair pricing. Transparency is limited due to the lack of a competitive bidding process.

Related Government Programs

Federal Wildlife Refuge Operations and Maintenance
Government Equipment Repair Services
Department of the Interior Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Urgent requirement
Lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2,911.8 to LANDMARK IMPLEMENT INC. KS - KIRWIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - URGENT - BACKHOE REPAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LANDMARK IMPLEMENT INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,911.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific repairs were performed on the backhoe, and what was the justification for the sole-source award?

The provided data indicates an 'URGENT - BACKHOE REPAIR' but does not detail the specific mechanical issues or the scope of work performed. The justification for a sole-source award, especially under SAP, typically relies on factors such as extreme urgency, the unavailability of the item from any other source, or when only one responsible source is capable of providing the required service. For this contract, the 'URGENT' designation likely played a significant role. Without further documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reasons beyond the stated urgency and the potential for Landmark Implement Inc. being the only qualified or readily available service provider in the vicinity for this specific type of repair.

How does the $2,911.80 cost compare to typical backhoe repair costs for similar issues?

Benchmarking the cost of $2,911.80 for a backhoe repair is challenging without knowing the exact nature of the repair (e.g., engine overhaul, hydraulic system failure, transmission issue) and the specific model of the backhoe. However, for urgent repairs involving significant parts and labor, this amount can be considered within a reasonable range for specialized heavy equipment. Typical repair costs can vary widely, from a few hundred dollars for minor fixes to several thousand for major component replacements. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract suggests that the quoted price was deemed acceptable for the required work, but a true comparison would necessitate detailed service records and market rate data for similar repairs in the Nebraska region.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding urgent repair contracts on a sole-source basis?

Awarding urgent repair contracts on a sole-source basis carries several risks. Primarily, the government forgoes the benefits of competition, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. This can lead to paying a premium for goods or services. There's also a risk of reduced quality if the contractor knows they are the only option and faces no competitive pressure. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes be perceived as lacking transparency, potentially raising concerns about fairness and the best use of taxpayer funds. In this specific case, the urgency might have necessitated bypassing a more competitive process, but it's crucial that the agency ensures the price remains fair and reasonable and that the repair is indeed necessary and effectively executed.

What is the track record of Landmark Implement Inc. in performing government contracts?

The provided data identifies Landmark Implement Inc. as the contractor for this purchase order. However, it does not offer details on their past performance with government contracts, including their history, size, or type of previous awards. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their award history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes on previous government engagements. Without this information, it's impossible to evaluate their reliability or experience in fulfilling government requirements.

How does this spending align with historical patterns for equipment maintenance at the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge?

The provided data focuses on a single, urgent repair contract and does not offer historical spending patterns for equipment maintenance at the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge. To analyze historical trends, one would need access to procurement data spanning multiple fiscal years for this specific refuge or the broader U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This would allow for an assessment of the frequency, cost, and types of equipment repairs, as well as the procurement methods used. Understanding these patterns would help determine if this $2,911.80 expenditure is typical, unusually high, or indicative of a new trend in equipment maintenance needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance › Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140FS226P0096

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 21693 US HIGHWAY 77, BEATRICE, NE, 68310

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,912

Exercised Options: $2,912

Current Obligation: $2,912

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline