Department of the Army awards $13.5M landscaping contract to Prime Irrigation & Landscape Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,463,064 ($13.5M)

Contractor: Prime Irrigation & Landscape Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-09-29

End Date: 2009-08-04

Contract Duration: 309 days

Daily Burn Rate: $43.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LANDSCAPE - BATTALION SET 3

Place of Performance

Location: EL PASO, EL PASO County, TEXAS, 79935

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.5 million to PRIME IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPE INC for work described as: LANDSCAPE - BATTALION SET 3 Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in base support services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding environment. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and manage financial risk. 4. Contract duration of approximately 10 months provides a defined service period. 5. Geographic focus on Texas indicates localized service delivery. 6. The award falls within the broader category of facilities maintenance and support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.5 million for approximately 10 months of landscaping services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale base maintenance is difficult without more granular data on the scope of work. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to establish a clear cost ceiling. Further analysis would require comparing the per-acre or per-service cost against regional landscaping market rates and the specific requirements outlined in the contract.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, but this approach can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing than true full and open competition. The number of bidders is not provided, making it difficult to fully assess the level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even if justified, may have reduced competitive pressure, potentially leading to a higher price for taxpayers than if all qualified vendors had been allowed to bid.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and its personnel, who receive enhanced base aesthetics and environmental services. Services delivered include comprehensive landscaping and grounds maintenance. The geographic impact is concentrated in Texas, supporting military installations within the state. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for landscaping professionals and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to exclusion of sources could impact price.
Fixed-price contract may not fully account for unforeseen site conditions.
Contract duration is relatively short, potentially leading to frequent re-competition.
Scope of work details are not fully elaborated, posing a risk of change orders.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a single prime contractor simplifies management.
Focus on a specific geographic region allows for specialized service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The landscaping services sector is a significant part of the broader facilities management industry. This contract falls within the commercial and institutional landscaping services sub-sector. The market for government landscaping contracts is substantial, driven by the need to maintain military bases, government buildings, and public spaces. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per acre or per square foot for similar services at other federal installations or large commercial properties.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor may choose to subcontract portions of the work, and there could be opportunities for small businesses to participate indirectly.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Base Operations Support Services
Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Groundskeeping Services
Environmental Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not clearly defined.
Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.5 million to PRIME IRRIGATION & LANDSCAPE INC. LANDSCAPE - BATTALION SET 3

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 $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-29. End: 2009-08-04.

What specific landscaping tasks were included in this $13.5 million contract?

The provided data summary does not detail the specific landscaping tasks included in the $13.5 million contract. Typically, such contracts for military installations encompass a wide range of services including mowing, trimming, fertilization, pest control, irrigation system maintenance, tree and shrub care, seasonal planting, debris removal, and potentially snow removal depending on the location and season. The 'LANDSCAPE - BATTALION SET 3' designation suggests a focus on a specific unit or area, implying a comprehensive set of grounds maintenance requirements for that zone. A thorough review of the original contract solicitation (e.g., the Performance Work Statement or Statement of Work) would be necessary to ascertain the precise scope of services.

How does the contract's value compare to other landscaping contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?

Comparing this $13.5 million contract to other Department of Defense (DoD) landscaping contracts requires access to a broader dataset of similar awards. However, $13.5 million for a duration of approximately 10 months is a substantial sum, suggesting a large-scale requirement, likely for a significant military installation or multiple facilities within a region. DoD landscaping contracts can range from tens of thousands for smaller post-specific needs to tens or hundreds of millions for comprehensive base-wide support over multiple years. This award appears to be on the higher end for a single delivery order, indicating a significant scope of work or a high cost environment in Texas for such services.

What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract for landscaping services?

Fixed-price contracts, while offering cost certainty, carry inherent risks for both the government and the contractor. For landscaping, risks include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil issues, hidden irrigation problems), extreme weather events impacting service delivery or material costs, and potential contractor underestimation of labor or material needs. If the contractor underestimates costs or encounters unexpected challenges, they may incur losses, potentially impacting service quality or leading to requests for contract modifications. Conversely, if the contractor significantly overestimates, the government may pay a premium. The relatively short duration of this contract (approx. 10 months) might mitigate some long-term risks but increases the likelihood of needing to re-compete or adjust scope.

What does 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' imply for this contract's outcome?

The designation 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' implies a nuanced approach to competition. It means that the agency intended to solicit offers from all responsible sources capable of meeting the requirements, but specific sources were intentionally excluded. The reasons for exclusion are critical; they could range from past performance issues, failure to meet pre-qualification criteria, or specific regulatory limitations. While it's a form of open competition, the exclusion narrows the field, potentially reducing the number of bids received and possibly impacting the final price compared to a scenario where all potential bidders were included. The effectiveness of this approach hinges on the justification for the exclusions.

What is the typical performance period for landscaping contracts of this magnitude?

The performance period for landscaping contracts of this magnitude can vary significantly based on agency needs and budget cycles. This specific contract has a duration of approximately 309 days (about 10 months), which is relatively short for a contract valued at $13.5 million. Many large-scale landscaping and grounds maintenance contracts, especially those covering multiple seasons or entire base operations, are often awarded as multi-year contracts with option periods, potentially extending for 3-5 years. A shorter duration like this might indicate a specific project need, a bridge contract, or a strategy to re-evaluate requirements and market conditions frequently. It could also be a single delivery order against a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

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 ID: W912HY06R0013

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: $13,463,064

Exercised Options: $13,463,064

Current Obligation: $13,463,064

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912HY07D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline