DOJ awards $4.8M vehicle maintenance BPA call to Merchants Automotive Group for 364 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,840,512 ($4.8M)

Contractor: Merchants Automotive Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-11-28

End Date: 2026-11-27

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MISSION CRITICAL NATIONAL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACT BPA CALL

Place of Performance

Location: HOOKSETT, MERRIMACK County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03106

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $4.8 million to MERCHANTS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC for work described as: MISSION CRITICAL NATIONAL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACT BPA CALL Key points: 1. Contract provides essential maintenance for the U.S. Marshals Service fleet. 2. The award was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The duration of one year (364 days) allows for flexibility and regular re-evaluation of needs. 5. The contract's value is relatively modest within the context of large federal vehicle maintenance budgets. 6. Geographic focus on New Hampshire is noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.8 million for a one-year period for general automotive repair appears reasonable for a national vehicle maintenance service BPA call. Without specific details on the scope of services or the size of the fleet covered, direct comparison is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Benchmarking against similar large-scale fleet maintenance contracts would provide a clearer picture of value for money, but for a single-award BPA call, the pricing is likely competitive given the procurement method.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for full and open competition for procurements valued below the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages a broader range of potential offerors compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios. This competitive process is expected to yield fair market pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing the contract under SAP ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs for essential vehicle maintenance services.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from reliable vehicle maintenance, ensuring operational readiness. Services include general automotive repair, crucial for maintaining a functional fleet. The contract has a geographic impact primarily in New Hampshire, where the services will be rendered. The contract supports jobs within the automotive repair sector, particularly in the New Hampshire region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality of service delivered.
Potential for increased costs if unforeseen major repairs are required beyond the scope of routine maintenance.
Limited geographic scope to New Hampshire may not cover all operational needs of a national agency.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Competition under SAP suggests a potentially efficient procurement process.
Contract duration allows for timely service delivery for the U.S. Marshals Service fleet.

Sector Analysis

The automotive repair and maintenance sector is a vital component of the broader transportation and logistics industry. Federal agencies rely heavily on vehicle fleets for operations, making maintenance contracts critical. Spending in this sector can range from localized repair shops to large national service providers. This contract, valued at $4.8 million, falls within the mid-range for a specific service contract, supporting a particular agency's needs within a defined geographic area.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside. If it was competed under SAP, it is possible that small businesses were encouraged to bid. However, without explicit information on set-asides or subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a BPA Call awarded under a larger Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA), which implies a framework for recurring services. Oversight would typically be managed by the U.S. Marshals Service contracting officer and program managers. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Accountability is enforced through the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Fleet Management
Department of Defense Vehicle Maintenance Contracts
Other Agency Fleet Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality variability
Geographic limitations may impact national coverage
Lack of detailed performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $4.8 million to MERCHANTS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC. MISSION CRITICAL NATIONAL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACT BPA CALL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MERCHANTS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-28. End: 2026-11-27.

What is the historical spending pattern for vehicle maintenance services by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Analyzing historical spending for the U.S. Marshals Service's vehicle maintenance reveals a consistent need for fleet upkeep. While specific figures for prior years are not detailed here, agencies of this nature typically allocate significant budgets to ensure their operational vehicles are maintained. This often involves a mix of indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts, blanket purchase agreements (BPAs), and individual task orders or calls, similar to the present award. Spending can fluctuate based on fleet size, vehicle age, and operational tempo. The $4.8 million awarded here for a one-year period suggests a substantial, but not unprecedented, level of expenditure for this category of service.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal vehicle maintenance contracts?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $4.8 million BPA call against similar federal vehicle maintenance contracts requires access to detailed pricing structures and service scopes of comparable awards. However, given that it was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is a firm-fixed-price contract, it suggests an effort to secure competitive pricing for general automotive repair. Contracts awarded through full and open competition with multiple bidders often yield lower prices. Without specific unit costs or detailed service level agreements for comparison, it's difficult to definitively state if this contract is priced above or below market rates. The value appears reasonable for a one-year duration covering general repairs for a significant fleet.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract for the U.S. Marshals Service?

Potential risks for the U.S. Marshals Service in this contract include service quality variability, as performance metrics are not detailed. If the contractor's technicians lack specialized skills for certain vehicle types or if parts availability is inconsistent, it could lead to delays and impact operational readiness. Another risk is the potential for unforeseen major repairs that might exceed the scope of 'general automotive repair,' potentially leading to contract modifications or additional costs if not managed carefully. Furthermore, the geographic limitation to New Hampshire might pose logistical challenges if vehicles requiring service are located elsewhere, necessitating additional transport or separate arrangements.

What is the track record of Merchants Automotive Group, LLC with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Merchants Automotive Group, LLC with federal contracts is not provided in the data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar government contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedules, and compliance with contract terms. Federal procurement databases often contain past performance information that can be used to evaluate a contractor's reliability and capability. Without this data, it is challenging to assess their experience and suitability for this mission-critical national vehicle maintenance service BPA call.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring value for money in this context?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold, aiming for efficiency and speed. In the context of this $4.8 million BPA call, SAP likely facilitated a quicker award process compared to larger, more complex procurements. While SAP can encourage competition among a wider range of vendors, including small businesses, its effectiveness in ensuring the absolute best value for money can depend on the specific market and the diligence of the contracting officer in soliciting adequate offers. For routine services like general automotive repair, SAP can be an effective mechanism if properly executed, balancing speed with competitive pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Automotive Repair and Maintenance › General Automotive Repair

Product/Service Code: MAINT/REPAIR SHOP EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15M10319RA4100013

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Merchants Automotive Group, Inc.

Address: 14 CENTRAL PARK DR 1ST FL, HOOKSETT, NH, 03106

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,499,852

Exercised Options: $11,499,852

Current Obligation: $4,840,512

Actual Outlays: $4,071

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15M10320AA4100059

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline