USDA's $62.6M Contract for Rural Water Circuit Rider Program Awarded to National Rural Water Association
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $62,601,189 ($62.6M)
Contractor: National Rural Water Association
Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture
Start Date: 2008-04-01
End Date: 2011-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,308 days
Daily Burn Rate: $47.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES FOR A RURAL WATER CIRCUIT RIDER PROGRAM.
Place of Performance
Location: DUNCAN, STEPHENS County, OKLAHOMA, 73533
State: Oklahoma Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Agriculture obligated $62.6 million to NATIONAL RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION for work described as: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES FOR A RURAL WATER CIRCUIT RIDER PROGRAM. Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $62.6 million, supports a vital rural water circuit rider program. 2. National Rural Water Association, the sole awardee, has extensive experience in this domain. 3. The contract's duration spans over three years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $62.6 million for a three-year program appears reasonable given the scope of supporting rural water systems nationwide. Benchmarking against similar technical assistance contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
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 is expected to yield fair market prices and ensure the best value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed-price contract aims to provide cost certainty for taxpayers, with potential savings if the contractor can deliver services efficiently.
Public Impact
Ensures continued technical assistance for rural water systems, crucial for public health and safety. Supports the operational efficiency and sustainability of numerous small and rural communities. Facilitates compliance with federal drinking water regulations. Promotes the development of skilled water system operators.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if NRWA's expertise becomes indispensable.
- Reliance on a single entity for critical technical support.
Positive Signals
- Clear objective to support rural infrastructure.
- Competitive award process.
- Firm fixed-price contract for cost control.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Business Associations sector, specifically supporting essential public services like water infrastructure. Spending in this area is critical for community well-being and regulatory compliance.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract did not involve small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses could have provided similar services or if subcontracting opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's oversight would primarily fall under the Rural Housing Service within the Department of Agriculture. Regular performance reviews and financial audits are standard oversight mechanisms for such programs.
Related Government Programs
- Business Associations
- Department of Agriculture Contracting
- Rural Housing Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole awardee may limit future competition.
- Long contract duration could lead to complacency.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
- Potential for over-reliance on a single technical provider.
Tags
business-associations, department-of-agriculture, ok, po, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Agriculture awarded $62.6 million to NATIONAL RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION. TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES FOR A RURAL WATER CIRCUIT RIDER PROGRAM.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NATIONAL RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Rural Housing Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $62.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-04-01. End: 2011-10-31.
What is the specific impact of the circuit rider program on the operational efficiency of the rural water systems it serves?
The circuit rider program provides on-site technical assistance, training, and troubleshooting for rural water system operators. This direct support helps improve system management, address operational challenges, ensure regulatory compliance, and ultimately enhance the reliability and safety of drinking water for communities that often lack dedicated technical expertise.
What are the key performance indicators used to measure the success of this contract and the National Rural Water Association's performance?
Success is likely measured by the number of systems assisted, the types of technical issues resolved, improvements in system compliance rates, operator training completion, and potentially reductions in system failures or violations. Performance metrics would be defined in the contract's statement of work and monitored by the contracting officer's representative.
How does the Department of Agriculture ensure that the services provided under this contract are cost-effective and deliver value to taxpayers?
The Department ensures cost-effectiveness through the firm fixed-price contract type, which caps costs. Additionally, competitive bidding aims to secure the best price. Ongoing oversight, performance monitoring against defined metrics, and periodic reviews of the program's impact and efficiency help validate the value delivered to taxpayers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations › Business Associations
Product/Service Code: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SVCS. › TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2915 S 13TH ST, DUNCAN, OK, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $118,048,587
Exercised Options: $103,366,413
Current Obligation: $62,601,189
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-04-01
Current End Date: 2011-10-31
Potential End Date: 2012-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-09-24
More Contracts from National Rural Water Association
- Contractor Services for Usda, Rural Utilities Service, Water and Environmental Programs (rus/Wep) Rural Water Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Program. the Contractor Services ARE Required Iaw/Attachment J-1, PWS — $121.2M (Department of Agriculture)
- Usda, RD, WEP - Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Program Penny Douglas, Technical Point of Contact — $29.1M (Department of Agriculture)
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