MARAD Awards $3.06M Task Order for Ship Repairs to TOTE Services, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,060,000 ($3.1M)
Contractor: Tote Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation
Start Date: 2026-01-07
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 266 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: GILLILAND FY26 REPAIRS A TSI-GLD26-1005A THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO ACCOMPLISH MARAD APPROVED SPECIFIC WORK ITEMS.
Place of Performance
Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21224
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Transportation obligated $3.1 million to TOTE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: GILLILAND FY26 REPAIRS A TSI-GLD26-1005A THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO ACCOMPLISH MARAD APPROVED SPECIFIC WORK ITEMS. Key points: 1. Spending focuses on essential ship repairs for the Maritime Administration. 2. TOTE Services, LLC, a single awardee, secured this contract. 3. The contract value is $3.06 million for a 266-day period. 4. This falls under the Deep Sea Freight Transportation sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a cost-plus-fixed-fee type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar repair contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific awardee is TOTE SERVICES, LLC, indicating they were the chosen bidder.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential maritime infrastructure maintenance, which is a necessary public service.
Public Impact
Ensures the operational readiness of maritime assets. Supports the broader goals of the Maritime Administration. Contributes to the economic activity within the maritime sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition.
- Essential infrastructure maintenance.
Sector Analysis
This spending is within the Maritime Administration's operational budget, focusing on maintaining the U.S. merchant marine fleet. Benchmarks for ship repair costs vary widely based on vessel type and scope of work.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific award, as the 'ss' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to understand the overall small business utilization by the Maritime Administration.
Oversight & Accountability
The task order is managed by the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration. Oversight would involve monitoring the execution of the specific work items and adherence to the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure.
Related Government Programs
- Deep Sea Freight Transportation
- Department of Transportation Contracting
- Maritime Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type may lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Scope of work details are not fully transparent.
- Potential for cost escalation without stringent oversight.
Tags
deep-sea-freight-transportation, department-of-transportation, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Transportation awarded $3.1 million to TOTE SERVICES, LLC. GILLILAND FY26 REPAIRS A TSI-GLD26-1005A THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO ACCOMPLISH MARAD APPROVED SPECIFIC WORK ITEMS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TOTE SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Maritime Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-07. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific work items are included in this task order, and how do they align with MARAD's strategic priorities?
The task order specifies 'MARAD approved specific work items' for repairs. A detailed breakdown of these items is crucial to assess their alignment with MARAD's strategic priorities, such as fleet readiness, modernization, or specific vessel lifecycle management. Without this detail, it's difficult to fully evaluate the strategic value beyond general maintenance.
What is the rationale for using a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type for these repairs, and what are the associated cost control mechanisms?
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts are often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or when unforeseen issues are likely. For ship repairs, this can be common. However, it necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the fixed fee is appropriate for the contractor's effort. The government must actively monitor expenditures and contractor performance to mitigate risks of cost overruns.
How does the awarded price of $3.06 million compare to industry benchmarks for similar deep-sea vessel repair projects?
Benchmarking this $3.06 million award requires detailed comparison with similar vessel types, age, and the complexity of the 'specific work items' performed. Factors like shipyard location, labor rates, and material costs significantly influence repair expenses. A direct comparison without these specifics is challenging, but the duration of 266 days suggests a substantial scope of work.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation › Deep Sea Freight Transportation
Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10401 DEERWOOD PARK BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 32256
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: $3,060,000
Exercised Options: $3,060,000
Current Obligation: $3,060,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 693JF725D000020
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-07
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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