Department of Transportation awards $262.5K for ship maintenance, with TOTE Services LLC securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $262,500 ($262.5K)

Contractor: Tote Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-12-22

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 343 days

Daily Burn Rate: $765/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: CAPE TRINITY-TOTE SERVICES INCOPORATED-TRINITY26-1008A-FISCAL YEAR 26 MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS SHIP SUPPORT A IS ISSUED TO PROVIDE SHIP SUPPORT SERVICES DURING THE MAINTENANCE PHASE TO INCLUDE THOSE ITEMS ON THE SCOPE OF WORK.

Place of Performance

Location: BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON County, TEXAS, 77701

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $262,500 to TOTE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: CAPE TRINITY-TOTE SERVICES INCOPORATED-TRINITY26-1008A-FISCAL YEAR 26 MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS SHIP SUPPORT A IS ISSUED TO PROVIDE SHIP SUPPORT SERVICES DURING THE MAINTENANCE PHASE TO INCLUDE THOSE ITEMS ON THE SCOPE OF WORK. Key points: 1. Contract value appears modest, suggesting a focused scope of services. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately one year aligns with typical maintenance cycles. 4. Services are concentrated in Texas, potentially benefiting the local maritime workforce. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 483111 points to deep-sea freight transportation services. 6. The contract type is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger agreement or framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $262,500 for ship support services during a maintenance phase is relatively small, making direct comparisons difficult without understanding the specific scope of work. However, given the duration and the nature of maintenance and repair services, the price point does not immediately suggest overpayment. Further analysis would require benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale maintenance contracts within the maritime sector.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition is a positive indicator for market responsiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a process that aims to secure the best value through a wide range of potential providers, fostering competition that can drive down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the U.S. Navy or other maritime entities requiring ship maintenance and repair services. Services delivered include ship support during the maintenance phase, as detailed in the scope of work. The geographic impact is concentrated in Texas, where the contractor is based. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for skilled trades within the maritime repair and maintenance sector in Texas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the scope of work makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
The contract is a delivery order, which could indicate it's part of a larger, potentially more expensive, contract vehicle.
Limited information on the number of bidders in the full and open competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Contract duration is clearly defined, providing a specific timeframe for services.
Contractor is TOTE Services, LLC, a known entity in maritime services.

Sector Analysis

The maritime transportation sector, particularly the segment focused on deep-sea freight and related support services, is a critical component of national infrastructure. This contract, valued at $262,500, falls into the category of specialized maintenance and repair services. While the dollar amount is modest, it represents a necessary expenditure for maintaining operational readiness of maritime assets. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the total budget allocated by the Maritime Administration for ship maintenance and repair across various contracts.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, unless TOTE Services, LLC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Maritime Administration Ship Maintenance Contracts
Department of Transportation Vessel Operations
Deep Sea Freight Transportation Services
Naval Ship Maintenance and Repair

Risk Flags

Contract type 'Cost No Fee' requires careful monitoring of allowable costs.
Limited detail on the specific scope of work hinders full value assessment.
Delivery order nature may indicate integration into a larger contract vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $262,500 to TOTE SERVICES, LLC. CAPE TRINITY-TOTE SERVICES INCOPORATED-TRINITY26-1008A-FISCAL YEAR 26 MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS SHIP SUPPORT A IS ISSUED TO PROVIDE SHIP SUPPORT SERVICES DURING THE MAINTENANCE PHASE TO INCLUDE THOSE ITEMS ON THE SCOPE OF WORK.

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 $262,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-22. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the specific scope of 'ship support services' covered under this contract?

The provided data indicates that the services include 'ship support services during the maintenance phase to include those items on the scope of work.' However, the specific details of this scope of work are not included in the abbreviated data. Typically, such services could encompass a range of activities such as routine inspections, minor repairs, cleaning, logistical support for maintenance crews, and ensuring the vessel is ready for subsequent operational phases. Without the actual scope of work document, it is impossible to determine the precise nature and extent of the support provided.

How does the $262,500 contract value compare to similar ship maintenance contracts awarded by the Maritime Administration?

Directly comparing the $262,500 value to other ship maintenance contracts requires access to a broader dataset of Maritime Administration awards. However, given the contract's duration of approximately one year and its classification as a delivery order for maintenance phase support, this value appears to be for a specific, likely limited, set of services rather than a comprehensive overhaul or long-term maintenance agreement. Larger contracts for major repairs or fleet-wide maintenance would naturally be significantly higher. This contract's value suggests a focused need, possibly for a single vessel or a specific maintenance period.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Cost No Fee' (Cost-Reimbursement) contract type for maintenance services?

The contract type is listed as 'COST NO FEE' (pt: COST NO FEE), which is a type of cost-reimbursement contract. In such contracts, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs incurred, plus a fixed fee representing profit. The 'No Fee' designation is unusual and might imply that the contractor is not seeking profit on this specific delivery order, or it could be a misinterpretation of the data field. If it is a standard cost-reimbursement contract without a fee, the primary risk for the government is that costs could exceed initial estimates, as the contractor is incentivized to incur costs to perform the work. However, the absence of a fee might reduce the incentive for cost overruns compared to a cost-plus-fee contract. Robust oversight and clear definitions of allowable costs are crucial to mitigate risks.

What is TOTE Services, LLC's track record with the Department of Transportation and Maritime Administration?

TOTE Services, LLC is a known entity in the maritime industry, often involved in government contracts related to vessel operations and support. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would require reviewing their past performance on similar contracts with the Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any history of contract disputes, on-time delivery rates, and overall quality of service. Without access to this specific performance data, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record for this particular contract.

What is the historical spending pattern for ship support services during maintenance phases by the Maritime Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for ship support services during maintenance phases by the Maritime Administration would involve examining contract awards over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, the number of contracts awarded, the types of services procured, and the primary contractors. Such an analysis could help determine if the current $262,500 award is consistent with historical spending, or if it represents an outlier. It would also highlight whether spending in this area has increased or decreased over time, potentially indicating shifts in fleet maintenance needs or budget priorities.

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: $262,500

Exercised Options: $262,500

Current Obligation: $262,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JF725D000037

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline