Tote Services Awarded $3.06M Task Order for Cape Starr Ship Repairs Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,057,002 ($3.1M)
Contractor: Tote Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation
Start Date: 2025-12-23
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 281 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: CAPE STARR FY26 REPAIRS A TSI-STR26-1005 A THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO ACCOMPLISH MARAD APPROVED SPECIFIC WORK ITEMS ON THE SHIP'S APPROVED BUSINESS PLAN.
Place of Performance
Location: OAKLAND, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94612
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Transportation obligated $3.1 million to TOTE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: CAPE STARR FY26 REPAIRS A TSI-STR26-1005 A THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO ACCOMPLISH MARAD APPROVED SPECIFIC WORK ITEMS ON THE SHIP'S APPROVED BUSINESS PLAN. Key points: 1. The task order focuses on specific, MARAD-approved work items for the Cape Starr vessel. 2. Tote Services, LLC, secured the award through full and open competition. 3. The contract type is Cost No Fee, indicating a focus on covering costs rather than profit. 4. This award falls within the Deep Sea Freight Transportation sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost No Fee contract type makes direct pricing comparisons difficult. The award amount of $3.06M for 281 days of work needs further context regarding the scope of repairs to assess value.
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. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is a positive sign for taxpayer value, though the specific cost-effectiveness of the repairs requires further analysis.
Public Impact
Ensures the operational readiness of a key vessel within the Maritime Administration's fleet. Supports the maritime transportation sector, crucial for national and international trade. The repairs contribute to the longevity and safety of the Cape Starr vessel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed scope of work for repairs.
- Cost No Fee contract type limits direct cost-efficiency analysis.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Supports critical maritime infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This award is within the Deep Sea Freight Transportation sector, which is vital for global commerce. Benchmarks for ship repair costs can vary significantly based on vessel type, age, and the complexity of the required work.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Maritime Administration is responsible for overseeing this task order. The 'Cost No Fee' structure implies close monitoring of expenditures to ensure they align with approved work items.
Related Government Programs
- Deep Sea Freight Transportation
- Department of Transportation Contracting
- Maritime Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost creep due to 'Cost No Fee' structure.
- Lack of detailed scope of work provided.
- Limited insight into specific repair items and their necessity.
- No indication of small business subcontracting.
Tags
deep-sea-freight-transportation, department-of-transportation, ca, 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. CAPE STARR FY26 REPAIRS A TSI-STR26-1005 A THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO ACCOMPLISH MARAD APPROVED SPECIFIC WORK ITEMS ON THE SHIP'S APPROVED BUSINESS PLAN.
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: 2025-12-23. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific breakdown of the $3.06M cost for the repairs, and how does it compare to similar repair projects on vessels of comparable size and age?
The provided data does not detail the cost breakdown for the repairs. A Cost No Fee contract primarily covers allowable costs incurred by the contractor. To assess value, a detailed breakdown of labor, materials, and overhead is necessary, alongside a comparison with industry benchmarks for similar vessel repair projects to determine if the $3.06M expenditure is reasonable.
What are the potential risks associated with the 'Cost No Fee' contract type in terms of cost overruns or contractor efficiency?
The 'Cost No Fee' structure shifts the financial risk of cost overruns to the government. While it can facilitate timely execution of necessary work, it may reduce the contractor's incentive for cost control and efficiency compared to fixed-price contracts. Robust government oversight is crucial to monitor expenditures and ensure work is performed economically.
How effectively does this task order contribute to the long-term operational readiness and safety of the Cape Starr vessel?
The task order is designed to accomplish MARAD-approved specific work items, directly addressing identified needs for the Cape Starr. Assuming these items are critical for the vessel's seaworthiness and operational capability, the repairs should effectively enhance its long-term readiness and safety, fulfilling the purpose of the award.
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: $3,057,002
Exercised Options: $3,057,002
Current Obligation: $3,057,002
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 693JF725D000022
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-12-23
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-05
More Contracts from Tote Services, LLC
- THE Contractor IS Hereby Tasked to Deliver Nsmv I to the Government in Accordance With the Terms and Conditions of the Contract AT a Firm-Fixed Price of $337,180,000.00. This Delivery Order Also Provides and Obligates the Fund ($337,180,000.00) for T — $340.1M (Department of Transportation)
- THE Contractor IS Hereby Tasked to Deliver Nsmv II to the Government in Accordance With the Terms and Conditions of the Contract AT a Firm-Fixed Price of $301,230,750.00. This Delivery Order Also Provides and Obligates the Fund ($301,230,750.00) for — $308.0M (Department of Transportation)
- THE Contractor IS Hereby Tasked to Deliver Nsmv IV to the Government (IN Accordance With the Terms and Conditions of the Contract) AT a Firm-Fixed Price of $294,724,580.00. This Delivery Order Also Provides and Obligates the Fund ($294,724,580.00) FO — $306.2M (Department of Transportation)
- THE Contractor IS Hereby Tasked to Deliver Nsmv III to the Government (IN Accordance With the Terms and Conditions of the Contract) AT a Firm-Fixed Price of $291,574,580.00. This Delivery Order Also Provides and Obligates the Fund ($291,574,580.00) F — $304.3M (Department of Transportation)
- Contract Award SBX-1 / N103D Valenzuela — $234.7M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Transportation Contracts
- Dafis UDO Reconstruct W/O Advance — $3.8B (Lockheed Martin Services, LLC)
- THE Purpose of This Delivery Order Award IS to ADD Funding for FTI Telecommunications Services — $1.9B (Harris Corporation)
- Provide Funding for Clin 302 for Pre-Flight and In-Flight Services. Contract Number Dtfawa-05-C-00031, Lockheed Martin. POP 01/16/08-03/31/08 — $1.9B (Leidos, Inc.)
- Center for Advanced Aviation Development (caasd) Ffrdc Mitre — $1.7B (THE Mitre Corporation)
- Dafis UDO Reconstruct W/O Advance — $1.5B (Harris Corporation)