Justice Department awards $216M generator repair contract to W.W. Williams Company, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $216,344 ($216.3K)

Contractor: W.W. Williams Company, LLC, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $594/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GENERATOR REPAIR

Place of Performance

Location: HUBBARD, TRUMBULL County, OHIO, 44425

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $216,344.19 to W.W. WILLIAMS COMPANY, LLC, THE for work described as: GENERATOR REPAIR Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in maintaining critical infrastructure for federal correctional facilities. 2. The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny regarding potential cost efficiencies and market alternatives. 3. A single awardee suggests limited competition, potentially impacting price discovery and value for taxpayer dollars. 4. The contract duration of one year with options indicates a need for ongoing maintenance services. 5. Focus on industrial machinery repair highlights the essential operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons. 6. The geographic focus on Ohio (st: OH) suggests specific facility needs within that region.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $216 million generator repair contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable sole-source awards. However, the absence of competition typically leads to higher prices than a fully competed contract. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty, but the overall value hinges on the necessity and scope of the services provided. Further analysis would require understanding the specific generator types, maintenance schedules, and historical repair costs for these facilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is often used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or when urgent needs arise that preclude a full solicitation process. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have driven down prices through market forces. It is crucial to understand the justification for this sole-source award to ensure it was appropriate and that the government obtained fair value.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher costs for taxpayers as they bypass the competitive bidding process that typically ensures the best pricing. This means the government may be paying a premium for these services compared to what could have been achieved in an open market.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the federal correctional facilities managed by the Bureau of Prisons, ensuring operational continuity and safety. Services delivered include essential repair and maintenance for generators, critical for maintaining power supply. The geographic impact is concentrated in Ohio (st: OH), where the specific facilities requiring these services are located. Workforce implications may include direct employment by W.W. Williams Company, LLC, and potentially indirect support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
Sole-source justification needs thorough review to ensure it was the most appropriate procurement method.
Limited transparency into the specific services and pricing structure due to the non-competitive nature.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a critical need for operational infrastructure maintenance within federal prisons.
A single, established provider may offer specialized expertise in generator repair for these specific systems.
Fixed-price contract type provides some cost predictability for the government.

Sector Analysis

The industrial machinery repair and maintenance sector is vital for the functioning of numerous government operations, particularly those requiring continuous power. This contract falls within the broader category of facilities maintenance and support services. Comparable spending benchmarks for generator maintenance can vary widely based on the size and type of equipment, as well as the service level agreements. Given the scale of this award, it suggests a significant number of generators or high-demand maintenance requirements within the Bureau of Prisons' Ohio facilities.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to W.W. Williams Company, LLC, a single entity, suggests that small businesses were either not solicited or did not participate in this specific sole-source procurement. This limits opportunities for small business engagement within this particular contract's scope.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature, but contract performance data and payment records would be subject to internal review and potentially Inspector General oversight if performance issues or financial irregularities arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Operations
Bureau of Prisons Facilities Management
Critical Infrastructure Maintenance Contracts
Industrial Equipment Repair Services
Sole-Source Procurement Justifications

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing validation.
Potential for cost overruns due to lack of market pressure.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure value.
Justification for sole-source award requires scrutiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $216,344.19 to W.W. WILLIAMS COMPANY, LLC, THE. GENERATOR REPAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is W.W. WILLIAMS COMPANY, LLC, THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $216,344.19.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the specific justification provided by the Department of Justice for awarding this generator repair contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), and the award type is 'PURCHASE ORDER'. While this suggests a non-competitive process, the specific justification for a sole-source award (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need, lack of market availability) is not detailed in the summary data. Typically, sole-source awards require a formal justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A) that outlines why competition is not feasible or practicable. This document would need to be reviewed to understand the rationale behind bypassing a competitive solicitation process for this significant contract.

How does the $216 million contract value compare to historical spending on generator repair for the Federal Prison System?

Without access to historical spending data specifically for generator repair across the Federal Prison System, a direct comparison is not possible. However, $216 million is a substantial sum, suggesting either a large number of facilities requiring maintenance, extensive generator systems, or a significant scope of work over the contract period. To assess if this represents an increase or decrease in spending, one would need to analyze multi-year spending trends for similar services, considering factors like inflation, facility expansion, and changes in maintenance strategies. This figure likely represents a significant portion of the annual budget allocated for such services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure effective generator maintenance?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for critical infrastructure like generators in federal prisons, typical KPIs would likely include metrics such as generator uptime percentage, response time for emergency repairs, preventive maintenance completion rates, Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), and Mean Time To Repair (MTTR). These metrics are crucial for ensuring the reliability of power supply and assessing the contractor's performance against contractual obligations. The effectiveness of the contract hinges on clearly defined and measurable SLAs.

What types of generators and associated equipment are covered under this $216 million contract?

The data indicates the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 811310, which covers 'Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance.' This broad category suggests the contract likely covers a range of industrial generators, potentially including diesel, natural gas, or other fuel types, along with their associated control systems, transfer switches, and auxiliary equipment. The specific types and models of generators would be detailed in the contract's statement of work (SOW), which is not provided here. Understanding the specific equipment is key to assessing the scope and complexity of the required maintenance.

What is the track record of W.W. Williams Company, LLC, in performing similar generator repair and maintenance services for government agencies?

The provided data identifies W.W. Williams Company, LLC as the awardee but does not detail their specific track record with government agencies. To assess their suitability, one would typically research past performance evaluations, contract history with federal, state, or local governments, and any reported issues or successes on similar projects. A company awarded a sole-source contract of this magnitude often has a history of providing specialized services, but a thorough review of their past performance is essential for due diligence, especially when competition is absent.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7125 MASURY RD, HUBBARD, OH, 44425

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: $216,344

Exercised Options: $216,344

Current Obligation: $216,344

Actual Outlays: $216,344

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline