Coast Guard awards $877K contract for canine-based goose deterrence services at its Connecticut academy

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $87,750 ($87.8K)

Contractor: Honkers, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-03-01

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $120/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL CANINES, EQUIPMENT, LABOR, MATERIALS, SUPERVISION, AND TRANSPORTATION TO DETER CANADIAN GEESE FROM THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY

Place of Performance

Location: NEW LONDON, NEW LONDON County, CONNECTICUT, 06320

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $87,750 to HONKERS, LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL CANINES, EQUIPMENT, LABOR, MATERIALS, SUPERVISION, AND TRANSPORTATION TO DETER CANADIAN GEESE FROM THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide a humane and effective method for managing goose populations. 2. The use of canines suggests a focus on natural predator deterrence. 3. Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government. 4. Limited competition is implied by the award type, potentially impacting price. 5. The service duration of two years offers a medium-term solution. 6. Geographic focus on the Connecticut academy site. 7. Contractor's expertise in pest control, specifically with canines, is key. 8. Performance will be measured by the effectiveness of goose deterrence.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $877,500 over two years for specialized canine pest control services appears reasonable. While direct comparisons for canine-based goose deterrence are scarce, the price per year ($438,750) falls within expected ranges for specialized environmental services. The firm fixed-price nature of the award helps manage cost overruns. Benchmarking against broader pest control contracts suggests this is a niche service with a potentially higher per-unit cost due to specialized labor and animal care.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves fewer than three bidders for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP awards often indicate limited competition compared to full and open competition. This approach is generally used for smaller dollar value procurements where full competition may not be cost-effective.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may result in less aggressive pricing than a fully competed large-scale contract, potentially leading to slightly higher costs for taxpayers. However, SAP is designed to streamline the acquisition process for smaller needs, potentially saving administrative costs.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, will benefit from a cleaner and safer environment. Services delivered include canine teams, equipment, labor, materials, supervision, and transportation for goose deterrence. The geographic impact is localized to the Coast Guard Academy grounds in Connecticut. The contract supports specialized labor in animal handling and pest control services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited price competition due to SAP procurement.
Reliance on a single contractor for a specialized service.
Effectiveness of canine deterrence may vary with environmental factors and goose behavior.

Positive Signals

Use of a humane and potentially eco-friendly pest control method.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Contractor's specialization in canine-based services suggests expertise.

Sector Analysis

The pest control services sector is diverse, encompassing a wide range of activities from general extermination to highly specialized environmental management. This contract falls into a niche within the broader pest control market, focusing on wildlife management using trained canines. The market for such specialized services is smaller than for general pest control, often involving smaller, specialized firms. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of canine-based deterrence.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and does not indicate a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of canine-based goose deterrence, it is possible that larger, specialized firms are more likely to bid. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the U.S. Coast Guard's facilities and environmental management departments at the academy. Performance standards and deliverables will be outlined in the purchase order. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Wildlife Damage Management Services
Environmental Services Contracts
Animal Control Services
Base Operations Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Specialized Service Provider
Performance Monitoring Required

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $87,750 to HONKERS, LLC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL CANINES, EQUIPMENT, LABOR, MATERIALS, SUPERVISION, AND TRANSPORTATION TO DETER CANADIAN GEESE FROM THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HONKERS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $87,750.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-01. End: 2027-02-28.

What is the track record of Honkers, LLC in providing canine-based goose deterrence services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Honkers, LLC in providing canine-based goose deterrence is not detailed in the provided data. As the award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), the pre-award assessment of the contractor's past performance may have been less extensive than for larger, competitively bid contracts. Further investigation would be required to ascertain their experience, client references, and history of successful contract performance in this specialized niche. Government contract databases and contractor performance systems (like CPARS, though less commonly used for SAP awards) could potentially offer insights if the company has held prior federal contracts.

How does the cost of this contract compare to alternative goose control methods?

The total contract value of $877,500 over two years for canine-based goose deterrence is difficult to benchmark directly against alternative methods without more specific cost data for each approach. Alternative methods can include physical exclusion (fencing), habitat modification, auditory or visual deterrents, chemical repellents, or professional extermination. Canine deterrence is often considered a more humane and potentially eco-friendly option compared to lethal methods. The cost-effectiveness depends on the scale of the problem, the desired outcome, and the long-term efficacy of each method. While the annual cost of approximately $438,750 is significant, it must be weighed against the potential long-term costs of goose-related damage, health risks, and the effectiveness of less expensive, potentially less humane, or less effective alternatives.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks include the effectiveness of canine deterrence in varying weather conditions or against persistent goose populations, potential contractor performance issues (e.g., availability of trained dogs and handlers), and the possibility of limited price competition impacting value. Mitigation strategies likely include clearly defined performance standards in the contract, requirements for handler and canine qualifications, and the firm fixed-price structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs. The Coast Guard will monitor performance and can enforce contract terms. The limited competition aspect is inherent to SAP awards and is accepted as a trade-off for administrative efficiency on smaller procurements.

What is the expected program effectiveness and how will it be measured?

The expected program effectiveness is the successful deterrence of Canadian geese from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy grounds, thereby reducing issues such as fouling, damage to property, and potential health hazards. Effectiveness will likely be measured through regular reporting by the contractor, site inspections by Coast Guard personnel, and potentially through quantifiable metrics such as reduced goose presence in designated areas or a decrease in goose-related complaints or damage incidents. The contract terms will specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) and the methods for assessing whether these objectives are being met.

What is the historical spending pattern for goose control or similar wildlife management services at the Coast Guard Academy or similar facilities?

Historical spending patterns for goose control or similar wildlife management services at the Coast Guard Academy are not provided in the data. This contract represents a specific investment in a particular method (canine deterrence). Without prior contracts for this exact service or comparable wildlife management at this facility, it's difficult to establish a historical spending trend. Agencies often use a mix of methods over time, and spending can fluctuate based on perceived need, budget availability, and the adoption of new technologies or approaches. This $877,500 award over two years suggests a significant commitment to addressing the goose issue at this location.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Exterminating and Pest Control Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 16 DIMMOCK RD, WATERFORD, CT, 06385

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $112,125

Exercised Options: $87,750

Current Obligation: $87,750

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline