DoD awards $11.5M for Fort Bliss landscaping, highlighting long-term contract and limited small business participation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,502,489 ($11.5M)

Contractor: Prime Irrigation & Landscape Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-09-30

End Date: 2009-09-30

Contract Duration: 731 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FORT BLISS

Place of Performance

Location: EL PASO, EL PASO County, TEXAS, 79906

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.5 million to PRIME IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPE INC for work described as: LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FORT BLISS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to PRIME IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPE INC for landscaping services at Fort Bliss. 2. The contract value is $11,502,489. 3. Competition was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES', suggesting a specific reason for source exclusion. 4. The contract duration is 731 days, with a start date of 2007-09-30 and end date of 2009-09-30. 5. Small business participation is noted as false.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.5M for landscaping services over two years appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar landscaping contracts would be necessary to definitively assess pricing fairness, especially given the specific competition method.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources were excluded. This could potentially limit price discovery and competition, depending on the justification for exclusion.

Taxpayer Impact: The total value of $11.5M represents taxpayer funds allocated to essential base maintenance. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best value for taxpayers is a key consideration.

Public Impact

Ensures upkeep and aesthetic quality of Fort Bliss, impacting service members and their families. Supports local economy through contract services, though small business involvement is not indicated. Long-term contract may indicate a stable need for these services at the installation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition method raises questions about optimal price discovery.
Lack of small business participation may limit broader economic impact.
Contract awarded in 2007, data may not reflect current market conditions.

Positive Signals

Addresses essential base maintenance needs.
Contract awarded to a single entity for consistent service delivery.

Sector Analysis

Landscaping services fall under the broader facilities maintenance and management sector. Spending benchmarks for this sector can vary significantly based on geographic location, scope of services, and contract duration. This contract's value is significant for a single installation's landscaping needs over two years.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract award (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the prime contractor may not be a small business, or that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were not explicitly sought or achieved.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded via a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. Oversight would focus on performance, adherence to terms, and proper utilization of funds throughout the contract period.

Related Government Programs

Landscaping Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition method.
No indication of small business participation.
Contract awarded over a decade ago.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to contract length.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.5 million to PRIME IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPE INC. LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FORT BLISS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRIME IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-30. End: 2009-09-30.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method, and how did this impact the final price?

The justification for excluding sources is critical to understanding the competitive landscape. If exclusions were based on specialized capabilities or unique requirements, the price might be justified. However, if exclusions were arbitrary, it could have artificially limited competition, potentially leading to a higher price than could have been achieved through broader open competition. Further investigation into the contract's justification documentation is needed.

Given the contract's duration and value, what are the potential risks associated with vendor lock-in or performance issues over the two-year period?

A two-year contract for $11.5M presents risks such as vendor lock-in, where switching providers mid-contract could be costly or disruptive. Performance issues could also arise, impacting the quality of landscaping services. Robust performance monitoring, clear deliverables, and defined remedies for non-performance are essential oversight mechanisms to mitigate these risks and ensure taxpayer value.

How effectively did this contract meet the long-term landscaping needs of Fort Bliss, and could alternative procurement strategies have yielded better value?

Assessing effectiveness requires evaluating the quality of services rendered against the contract's objectives and the satisfaction of the installation's needs. Alternative strategies, such as breaking down the requirement into smaller lots or exploring different contract types, might have fostered more competition or better aligned costs with specific service needs. A post-award review would be beneficial.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W912HY06R0013

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5438 GATEWAY BLVD E, EL PASO, TX, 79905

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Emerging Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,502,489

Exercised Options: $11,502,489

Current Obligation: $11,502,489

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912HY07D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline