Interior Dept. Awards $263K Contract for Gauley Tailwaters Trash Service to Nicholas Sanitation Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,378 ($26.4K)

Contractor: Nicholas Sanitation Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-04-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,947 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NERI/GARI GAULEY TAILWATERS TRASH SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: LANSING, FAYETTE County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25862

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $26,378.46 to NICHOLAS SANITATION INC for work described as: NERI/GARI GAULEY TAILWATERS TRASH SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for solid waste collection services in West Virginia. 2. Nicholas Sanitation Inc. is the sole provider for this service. 3. The contract duration is 1947 days, ending July 2026. 4. This is a firm-fixed-price purchase order.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $263,784.60 over nearly five years suggests a moderate annual cost. Without specific benchmarks for solid waste collection in remote park areas, a precise pricing assessment is difficult, but it appears reasonable for the service scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed for the contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition, though the overall value is relatively small.

Public Impact

Ensures essential sanitation services for the Gauley Tailwaters area, maintaining environmental cleanliness and visitor experience. Supports local business, Nicholas Sanitation Inc., through a government contract. The extended duration provides service continuity but also locks in current pricing without market adjustments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award

Positive Signals

Essential service provision
Support for a local business

Sector Analysis

Solid waste collection is a common municipal service. For federal contracts, pricing can vary significantly based on location, service frequency, and specific requirements like those in a national park setting.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Nicholas Sanitation Inc., a small business. This aligns with federal goals to support small business participation in government contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

As a sole-source purchase order, oversight should focus on ensuring the service meets the contracted requirements and that the pricing remains justified throughout the contract term.

Related Government Programs

Solid Waste Collection
Department of the Interior Contracting
National Park Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for price escalation over contract term
Limited transparency in pricing justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $26,378.46 to NICHOLAS SANITATION INC. NERI/GARI GAULEY TAILWATERS TRASH SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NICHOLAS SANITATION 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 $26,378.46.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the typical cost range for similar solid waste collection services in remote or park environments?

Determining a precise cost range for similar services is challenging without detailed service specifications and geographic comparisons. However, contracts for solid waste management in remote areas often incur higher costs due to logistical complexities, specialized equipment, and limited vendor availability. A benchmark would ideally consider factors like volume, frequency, disposal fees, and transportation distances.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source award for essential services like trash collection?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the absence of competitive pressure. It can also lead to complacency from the awarded vendor, potentially impacting service quality or responsiveness. Furthermore, it limits opportunities for other qualified businesses to secure government contracts and may not represent the best value for taxpayer dollars.

How effectively does this contract ensure environmental cleanliness and visitor satisfaction in the Gauley Tailwaters?

The contract's effectiveness in ensuring environmental cleanliness and visitor satisfaction hinges on the vendor's performance and adherence to the service agreement. While the contract provides the framework, ongoing monitoring by the National Park Service is crucial to verify that trash is collected promptly and disposed of properly, thereby maintaining the aesthetic and sanitary conditions expected by visitors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Collection › Solid Waste Collection

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 17 ELK LN, SUMMERSVILLE, WV, 26651

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,378

Exercised Options: $26,378

Current Obligation: $26,378

Actual Outlays: $23,419

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline