DOT Awards $5.67M for Maritime Mission Support to TOTE Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,670,647 ($5.7M)

Contractor: Tote Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-09-11

End Date: 2026-07-26

Contract Duration: 683 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: PACIFIC COLLECTOR FY24 OPER MDA MISSION 2431 OPS 3C. TSI-PCL24-2002 C

Place of Performance

Location: PORTLAND, MULTNOMAH County, OREGON, 97217

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $5.7 million to TOTE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: PACIFIC COLLECTOR FY24 OPER MDA MISSION 2431 OPS 3C. TSI-PCL24-2002 C Key points: 1. Contract awarded to TOTE Services, LLC for $5.67M. 2. The contract is for deep sea freight transportation services. 3. This award was not competed, raising potential value concerns. 4. The sector is Maritime Transportation, a critical area for supply chain resilience.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost No Fee, which offers limited incentive for cost control. Without a competitive process, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these services, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical maritime missions. Supports the Department of Transportation's strategic goals in freight movement. Potential for increased costs due to non-competitive award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Cost No Fee contract type
Potential for overpayment

Positive Signals

Supports essential maritime operations
Long-term contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Maritime Administration's domain, focusing on deep sea freight transportation. Spending in this sector is crucial for national security and economic stability, but often involves specialized assets and services.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award.

Oversight & Accountability

Further oversight is needed to understand the justification for the sole-source award and to ensure the government is receiving fair value for the services rendered.

Related Government Programs

Deep Sea Freight Transportation
Department of Transportation Contracting
Maritime Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Cost No Fee contract type
Lack of transparency in pricing
Potential for contractor inefficiency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $5.7 million to TOTE SERVICES, LLC. PACIFIC COLLECTOR FY24 OPER MDA MISSION 2431 OPS 3C. TSI-PCL24-2002 C

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 $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-11. End: 2026-07-26.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of available sources. Without further documentation, it's impossible to determine the specific rationale. Understanding this is crucial for assessing whether the non-competitive approach was truly necessary or if it represents a missed opportunity for cost savings through competition.

How does the 'Cost No Fee' structure impact contractor performance and cost control?

A 'Cost No Fee' contract means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but receives no additional fee. This structure can reduce contractor incentive to control costs, as their profit is not tied to efficiency. It places a greater burden on the government to meticulously monitor and audit costs to prevent overspending.

What are the potential risks associated with a non-competed contract for essential services?

The primary risk of a non-competed contract is the potential for inflated pricing due to the absence of market competition. Other risks include reduced innovation, less favorable contract terms, and a perception of unfairness. For essential services, this can lead to sustained higher costs for taxpayers and potentially less robust service delivery if the contractor faces no pressure to improve.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

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: $5,670,647

Exercised Options: $5,670,647

Current Obligation: $5,670,647

Actual Outlays: $5,654,924

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JF724D000020

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline