Interior Department awards $2,854 purchase order for black powder for historic weapon demonstrations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,854 ($2.9K)

Contractor: Powder Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-05-21

Contract Duration: 42 days

Daily Burn Rate: $68/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SCHUETZEN BLACK POWDER TO MAKE BLANKS FOR USE IN HISTORIC WEAPONS FOR INTERPRETIVE DEMONSTRATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

Place of Performance

Location: CLARKSVILLE, JOHNSON County, ARKANSAS, 72830

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2,854 to POWDER INC for work described as: SCHUETZEN BLACK POWDER TO MAKE BLANKS FOR USE IN HISTORIC WEAPONS FOR INTERPRETIVE DEMONSTRATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on a niche product for interpretive demonstrations, suggesting limited market alternatives. 2. The award value is relatively small, indicating a low financial risk. 3. The short performance period suggests a time-sensitive need for the specified materials. 4. The product is for use in historic weapons, aligning with the National Park Service's interpretive mission. 5. The supplier, Powder Inc., is likely chosen for specialized manufacturing capabilities in this area.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2,854 is minimal, making a detailed value-for-money assessment challenging without more granular cost data. Given the specialized nature of black powder for historic weapons, direct price comparisons to commercial explosives are difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for this small purchase. The benchmark of $68 (likely a unit price or related metric) suggests a potentially reasonable cost for the specialized product, but further context on quantity and quality is needed for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: $68 (unit price or related metric)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely awarded directly to a single source. The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests that either the value was below the threshold for mandatory competition or specific circumstances justified a sole-source award. Without further details on the justification for not competing, it is difficult to assess the extent of market research conducted or if alternative suppliers were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there was no opportunity for competitive bidding to potentially drive down costs. While the contract value is small, this practice can lead to higher prices compared to a competitive environment.

Public Impact

The National Park Service benefits by acquiring necessary materials for authentic historical interpretations. Visitors to historic sites will experience more accurate and engaging demonstrations of historical weaponry. The contract supports the preservation and presentation of historical narratives at federal sites. The workforce implications are minimal, likely involving specialized manufacturing personnel at the supplier.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in higher prices than a competed contract.
Limited transparency on the justification for sole-source award.
Potential for reliance on a single supplier for critical, albeit niche, materials.

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific, specialized need for historical interpretation.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Small award value limits financial risk to the government.

Sector Analysis

The explosives manufacturing sector is highly regulated due to safety and security concerns. Contracts for specialized materials like black powder for historical reenactments fall into a niche within this sector. While the overall market for explosives is substantial, the segment serving historical interpretation is very small. This contract represents a minor expenditure within the broader federal procurement landscape for specialized materials.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as indicated by 'sb: false'. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. The award to Powder Inc. does not suggest any direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem, other than the direct business to the awarded contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Park Service's contracting officers and program managers. As a small purchase order, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and internal agency controls. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and small value, but records would be available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Operations
Historic Preservation Programs
Military History Interpretation
Special Events Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Limited competition may lead to higher costs
Potential supply chain risk due to single supplier

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2,854 to POWDER INC. SCHUETZEN BLACK POWDER TO MAKE BLANKS FOR USE IN HISTORIC WEAPONS FOR INTERPRETIVE DEMONSTRATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is POWDER INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,854.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-05-21.

What is the specific quantity and quality of black powder being procured?

The provided data does not specify the exact quantity or grade of black powder being purchased. The description mentions 'SCHUETZEN BLACK POWDER TO MAKE BLANKS FOR USE IN HISTORIC WEAPONS FOR INTERPRETIVE DEMONSTRATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.' This suggests a specific type of powder suitable for blank ammunition in historical firearms, likely requiring adherence to certain safety and performance standards. Without a detailed product specification or quantity, it is difficult to fully assess the value proposition or benchmark the unit cost effectively against other potential suppliers or historical pricing trends.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and was awarded to 'POWDER INC.' This strongly suggests a sole-source or limited-source justification. Typically, sole-source awards require a documented justification, such as the unique capability of the contractor, urgent and compelling needs, or a lack of market availability from other sources. For specialized items like black powder for historical weapons, it's possible that Powder Inc. is one of the few or only manufacturers capable of producing the required product to the necessary specifications and safety standards. Further details on the specific justification would be found in the contract file.

How does the benchmark price of $68 compare to market rates for similar specialized black powder?

The benchmark figure of $68 is provided without explicit context (e.g., per pound, per canister, per specific quantity). Assuming it represents a relevant unit cost, comparing it to market rates for specialized black powder used in historical firearms is challenging. General commercial black powder prices can vary significantly based on grade, quantity, and manufacturer. For niche applications like historical reenactments, prices may be higher due to smaller production runs and specialized quality control. Without knowing the exact quantity or specification associated with the $68 benchmark, a definitive comparison to market rates is not possible. However, given the sole-source nature, the price might be less competitive than if it were procured through open competition.

What is the track record of Powder Inc. in supplying the federal government?

The provided data identifies 'POWDER INC.' as the contractor. However, it does not offer specific details about their past performance history with the federal government, such as previous contracts, delivery performance, or quality ratings. To assess their track record, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for a history of awards, contract performance reports (CPARS), and any past issues or commendations. Without this additional information, it's difficult to evaluate their reliability and experience in fulfilling government requirements.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single supplier for this type of material?

Relying on a single supplier, as suggested by the sole-source award, presents several risks. Firstly, there's a risk of price escalation in future procurements, as competition is absent. Secondly, supply chain disruptions at the sole provider could lead to shortages, impacting the National Park Service's ability to conduct interpretive demonstrations. Thirdly, without competitive pressure, there might be less incentive for the supplier to innovate or maintain the highest quality standards over time. Finally, if the supplier's business circumstances change (e.g., closure, acquisition), the government would face significant challenges in finding an alternative source for this specialized product.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing › Explosives Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1861 N COLLEGE AVE, CLARKSVILLE, AR, 72830

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,854

Exercised Options: $2,854

Current Obligation: $2,854

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline