DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $423K landfill contract to Dillon County, SC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,366 ($42.4K)

Contractor: Dillon, County of SC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-07-01

Contract Duration: 273 days

Daily Burn Rate: $155/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LANDFILL SERVICES - FCI BENNETTSVILLE

Place of Performance

Location: DILLON, DILLON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29536

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $42,366.27 to DILLON, COUNTY OF SC for work described as: LANDFILL SERVICES - FCI BENNETTSVILLE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a local government entity for essential waste management services. 2. The contract utilizes a firm-fixed-price structure, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on efficiency for smaller procurements. 4. The duration of the contract is 273 days, indicating a short-term need for landfill services. 5. This award represents a small portion of the Bureau of Prisons' overall operational budget. 6. The service category is Solid Waste Landfill, a critical but often overlooked component of facility management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $423,662.70 for landfill services over approximately 9 months appears reasonable given the nature of the service. Benchmarking against similar municipal landfill contracts is challenging without specific volume or tonnage data. However, the fixed-price nature suggests the government has a clear understanding of expected costs. The award to a county government entity may indicate a focus on local service provision and potentially competitive pricing compared to larger private waste management firms for this specific location.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for more streamlined competition for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages competition among a reasonable number of sources. The limited nature of the competition, as indicated by SAP, suggests that the agency sought efficient procurement for a relatively small dollar value, potentially prioritizing local or readily available services.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP aims to balance efficiency with achieving fair market prices. While not a full and open competition, it is designed to prevent excessive costs on smaller contracts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons, ensuring proper waste disposal at FCI Bennettsville. The service delivered is essential solid waste landfill management, crucial for environmental compliance and facility operations. The geographic impact is localized to Dillon County, South Carolina, where the federal correctional institution is located. This contract supports local government infrastructure and services by providing a revenue stream for waste management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition data within SAP awards can obscure true price discovery.
Reliance on a single purchase order for a critical service might pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Short contract duration could necessitate a rapid re-competition process, potentially leading to less optimal pricing in the future.

Positive Signals

Award to a local government entity can foster community relations and support local economies.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the Bureau of Prisons.
SAP competition, while limited, is intended to be efficient for smaller value contracts.

Sector Analysis

The solid waste management sector is a mature industry with established players ranging from large corporations to municipal services. Federal contracts in this area typically focus on ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and maintaining operational efficiency at government facilities. Spending benchmarks for landfill services vary significantly based on location, volume, and type of waste. This $423K contract for FCI Bennettsville falls within the typical range for localized, short-term waste management needs for a federal institution.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The awardee is the County of Dillon, a government entity, not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons' contracting and facility management divisions. As a purchase order issued under SAP, the level of formal oversight might be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. Accountability is managed through the terms of the firm-fixed-price purchase order and performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Operations
Bureau of Prisons Facility Management
Solid Waste Management Services
Department of Justice Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition data available for SAP awards.
Short contract duration may necessitate frequent re-competition.
Potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies from government entity awardee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $42,366.27 to DILLON, COUNTY OF SC. LANDFILL SERVICES - FCI BENNETTSVILLE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DILLON, COUNTY OF SC.

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 $42,366.27.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-07-01.

What is the historical spending pattern for landfill services at FCI Bennettsville?

Historical spending data for landfill services specifically at FCI Bennettsville is not readily available in the provided dataset. However, the current award of $423,662.70 for a 273-day period (approximately 9 months) suggests an annualized potential spend of roughly $565,000 if this were a recurring annual need at a similar rate. To assess historical patterns, one would need to examine prior contract awards for waste management at this specific facility or similar Bureau of Prisons institutions in the region. Analyzing trends in pricing, contract duration, and awardees over several fiscal years would provide a clearer picture of spending evolution and potential cost efficiencies or increases.

How does the per-unit cost of this landfill service compare to national averages or similar contracts?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for this landfill service is not feasible with the provided data, as key metrics like tonnage, volume, or type of waste are missing. The contract value is $423,662.70 for a period of 273 days. Without knowing the quantity of waste processed, a direct per-unit comparison to national averages or similar contracts is impossible. Landfill costs are highly variable, influenced by tipping fees, transportation, environmental regulations, and local market conditions. To benchmark, one would need to obtain data on the average tipping fees per ton or per cubic yard in South Carolina and compare it to the implied rate for this contract, assuming an estimated waste volume.

What is the track record of the County of Dillon, SC, as a government contractor?

The County of Dillon, SC, as the awardee, is a municipal government entity rather than a traditional private sector contractor. Its track record as a government contractor is likely focused on providing public services within its jurisdiction. For federal contracts, its experience may be limited to specific needs like this landfill service. Assessing its 'track record' would involve reviewing its performance on similar municipal contracts, its financial stability, and its capacity to meet federal standards. Given the award was made under SAP, it suggests the Bureau of Prisons found the county capable of fulfilling the requirements for this specific, relatively small-value service.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a landfill contract to a local government entity?

Potential risks associated with awarding a landfill contract to a local government entity like the County of Dillon include potential limitations in specialized expertise or advanced waste management technologies compared to dedicated private firms. There might also be bureaucratic inefficiencies or slower response times in addressing performance issues. Furthermore, if the county's primary focus is its municipal services, federal contract obligations might receive lower priority. However, these risks are often mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure, clear performance expectations outlined in the purchase order, and the relatively short duration of the contract, allowing for reassessment upon expiration.

How does the competition level (SAP) impact the value for taxpayers on this contract?

Awarding this contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) aims to balance efficiency with value for taxpayers. SAP allows for streamlined processes, reducing administrative costs associated with larger, more complex procurements. While it may involve fewer bidders than a full and open competition, it is designed to solicit adequate competition for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000, though specific agency thresholds can vary, and this award is above that, suggesting it might fall under other exceptions or agency-specific SAP usage). The goal is to achieve a fair and reasonable price without incurring excessive procurement costs. The value for taxpayers is realized through a potentially quicker award and reduced administrative burden, assuming the competition achieved a competitive price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Waste Treatment and Disposal › Solid Waste Landfill

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 109 S 3RD AVE, DILLON, SC, 29536

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,366

Exercised Options: $42,366

Current Obligation: $42,366

Actual Outlays: $18,076

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline