Department of the Interior Awarded a Contract to TORO DEFENSE CONTRACTING, LLC for $1,625,605.87

Summary of Award

The recent contract awarded by the U.S. federal government, specifically through the Department of the Interior and its sub-agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, represents a significant financial investment into infrastructure relating to the Sandy Creek Water Control Structure at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The contract, identified by award ID 140FC124C0023, is classified as a definitive contract with a firm fixed pricing model, indicating a concrete obligation amount from both parties involved.

**Award Overview**

The definitive contract has been assigned a total obligation value of approximately $1,625,605.87. As of this report, the total account outlays amount to $156,398.55, which signifies that a significant portion of the funds have been allocated but not yet expended. The contract was signed on August 26, 2024, and is set to conclude by August 29, 2025, barring any additional modifications or extensions. This contract aims to facilitate the development of architectural and engineering services as part of a larger construction initiative within the applicable Natural Resource Conservation sector. This is evidenced by the Product or Service Code (PSC) C219 and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237310, which denotes highway, street, and bridge construction. It directly implicates the overarching construction efforts focused on infrastructure improvements and maintenance. **Contractual and Competitive Analysis** The solicitation process adhered to specific Sole Source Set Asides (SSS), attracting a singular bid — due to the 8(a) Sole Source stipulation — with the contract award being non-competitively sourced. This approach is justified through statutory provisions allowing for projects like these to forego a broad competitive process to address unique needs that align with federal objectives under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-5(a)(2)(i). Consequently, sole-source awards are advantageous for rapid deployment and collaboration with certified disadvantaged business enterprises that meet necessary statutory criteria. Furthermore, the contract does not involve multi-year commitments, implying that the project's scope and funding requirements are strictly bound within a one-year period as delineated in its terms. **Recipient Insight: Toro Defense Contracting, LLC** The contract was awarded to Toro Defense Contracting, LLC, a company that fits within numerous specialized business categories. These include being a participant of the 8(a) program, a certified minority and Hispanic American-owned business, as well as being a service-disabled veteran-owned enterprise. Toro Defense operates out of Quitman, Texas, and through its various certifications, it endeavors to deliver on complex construction and defense-related projects that require specialized engineering capacities. The company, identified by the Universal Entity Identifier (UEI) code W2KQFAVCKEM5, is structured as a Limited Liability Corporation recognized under U.S. business ownership standards, and it continues to leverage its veteran and minority-owned designations to secure federal contracts in compliance with broader SBA guidelines. **Transaction Dynamics and Obligations** There have been a few transactional activities associated with this contract. Initially, on the contract's signing date (August 26, 2024), a transaction amount of $1,625,605.87 was recorded. Subsequently, minor contract modifications or reporting updates have been noted, specifically, on September 3, 2024, and then on April 10, 2025, albeit with no additional financial adjustments from the original award amount. These are primarily reflective of administrative updates, as indicated by modification numbers P00001 and P00002. Such transactions—while not altering the financial landscape—highlight the ongoing contractual governance necessary for managing federal contracts. They emphasize transparency, as each modification or update is captured as a discrete transaction, ensuring thorough documentation and accountability throughout the contract’s lifecycle. **Conclusion** This contractual engagement underlines the Department of the Interior's focus on kinetic infrastructure proficiency within a framework that supports minority-owned enterprises through federal incentives. It showcases strategic spending aimed at enhancing natural resource management while incorporating socio-economic priorities by engaging veteran and minority business leaders. The Sandy Creek project, vested through architectural and engineering undertakings, promises to contribute significantly to regional infrastructure, supporting both ecological and community interests. Toro Defense Contracting, LLC is poised to harness its specialized capabilities to meet stringent performance standards over the contract period. Through comprehensive evaluations and contracts like this, the government continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering sustainable business environments and equitable economic opportunities.