DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $2.6M for generators to W. W. Williams Co., LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,095 ($26.1K)
Contractor: W. W. Williams CO, LLC, the
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2026-04-30
Contract Duration: 29 days
Daily Burn Rate: $900/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY 2026 GENERATOR PROJECT 23Z3AQ6
Place of Performance
Location: WEST COLUMBIA, LEXINGTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29169
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $26,095 to W. W. WILLIAMS CO, LLC, THE for work described as: FY 2026 GENERATOR PROJECT 23Z3AQ6 Key points: 1. The contract is for industrial supplies, specifically generators, for the Federal Prison System. 2. W. W. Williams Co., LLC is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract value is $2.6 million, with a short duration of 29 days. 4. The award method is a Purchase Order under unspecified circumstances, not competed under SAP.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.6 million for a 29-day generator supply seems high for a single purchase order. Benchmarking against similar industrial supply contracts would be necessary to assess true value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', suggesting a limited competition or sole-source justification was likely used. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential generators.
Public Impact
Ensures operational continuity for federal prisons by providing necessary generator equipment. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition impacts taxpayer funds. The award to a single vendor raises concerns about market fairness and accessibility for other suppliers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Lack of transparency in award justification
Positive Signals
- Ensures critical equipment supply
- Supports operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons
Sector Analysis
The Federal Prison System's need for industrial supplies like generators falls under general government procurement. Spending benchmarks for such items vary widely based on specifications and quantity, but $2.6M for a short-term supply warrants scrutiny.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were considered or participated in this procurement. The award method suggests limited opportunity for small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is needed to understand why this contract was not competed under SAP and to ensure the price paid is fair and reasonable given the limited competition.
Related Government Programs
- Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Unclear award justification
- Short contract duration for significant value
Tags
industrial-supplies-merchant-wholesalers, department-of-justice, sc, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $26,095 to W. W. WILLIAMS CO, LLC, THE. FY 2026 GENERATOR PROJECT 23Z3AQ6
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is W. W. WILLIAMS CO, 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 $26,095.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-30.
What was the specific justification for not competing this contract under SAP, and what steps were taken to ensure the best value was obtained?
The justification for not competing under SAP is not provided in the data. Typically, this occurs when a specific exception applies, such as urgency, sole-source necessity, or a very small purchase threshold not met. Agencies must document these justifications thoroughly and ensure fair and reasonable pricing through market research or other price analysis techniques, even in limited competition scenarios.
How does the $2.6 million cost for a 29-day generator supply compare to industry benchmarks for similar procurements?
Without specific generator model numbers, capacities, and condition (new/refurbished), a direct cost comparison is difficult. However, $2.6 million for a month's supply of generators appears substantial. Industry benchmarks for generator rentals or purchases of this scale would typically be sought through market research. The lack of competition makes it harder to verify if this price is competitive.
What is the long-term strategy for generator procurement for the Federal Prison System to ensure cost-effectiveness and reliability?
The long-term strategy is unclear from this single award. A comprehensive approach might involve strategic sourcing, multi-year contracts with competitive bidding, or exploring leasing options. Ensuring reliability involves regular maintenance and contingency planning. The current award's limited competition suggests a need for a review of the Bureau of Prisons' overall procurement strategy for critical infrastructure like generators.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › OTHER QUALITY, TEST, INSPECT SVCS
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: 2610 AUGUSTA RD, WEST COLUMBIA, SC, 29169
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: $26,095
Exercised Options: $26,095
Current Obligation: $26,095
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-30
Potential End Date: 2026-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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