USDA awards $33,750 contract for mowing services at Beltsville, MD facility, supplementing staff efforts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,750 ($33.8K)

Contractor: Environmental Resources Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-10-16

Contract Duration: 196 days

Daily Burn Rate: $172/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: USNA MOWING CONTRACT SERVICES: CONTRACT MOWING SERVICES TO SUPPLEMENT USNA STAFF EFFORTS AT SOUTH FARM, BELTSVILLE MD. CONTRACT COVERS APPROXIMATELY 30 ACRES. TASK ORDER FOR BPA # 12305B24A0012,

Place of Performance

Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $33,750 to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES GROUP, INC. for work described as: USNA MOWING CONTRACT SERVICES: CONTRACT MOWING SERVICES TO SUPPLEMENT USNA STAFF EFFORTS AT SOUTH FARM, BELTSVILLE MD. CONTRACT COVERS APPROXIMATELY 30 ACRES. TASK ORDER FOR BPA # 12305B24A0012, Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance grounds maintenance at the South Farm facility. 2. Services cover approximately 30 acres, indicating a moderate scope of work. 3. The contract is a task order under a larger BPA, suggesting potential for future work. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government. 5. The duration of the contract is relatively short, spanning about 6.5 months. 6. Environmental Resources Group, Inc. is the awarded contractor. 7. This contract supplements existing in-house capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $33,750 for approximately 6.5 months of mowing services across 30 acres appears reasonable. While specific benchmarks for this exact service in Maryland are not readily available, the price seems aligned with typical landscaping service costs for similar acreage. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Further analysis would require comparing this to other USDA or similar agency contracts for grounds maintenance in the region.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This process generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method of competition suggests a robust selection process was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down costs through market forces and ensuring the government receives the best value.

Public Impact

Benefits the Agricultural Research Service by ensuring well-maintained grounds at the South Farm facility. Provides essential grounds maintenance services, contributing to the overall operational efficiency of the research site. Geographic impact is localized to Beltsville, Maryland. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract supplements existing staff efforts rather than creating new positions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if additional acreage or services are required beyond the initial 30 acres.
Dependence on contractor performance for timely and effective mowing, which could impact research operations if not met.
Risk of price increases in future task orders if market conditions change significantly.

Positive Signals

Contracting under a BPA allows for streamlined ordering and potential for future needs.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for this specific service.
Award to a single contractor ensures clear lines of responsibility for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader landscaping and grounds maintenance sector, which is a common service requirement for government facilities. The market for these services is generally competitive, with numerous small and large businesses offering specialized mowing and groundskeeping. Government contracts for such services often supplement in-house capabilities or address seasonal demands, as indicated here.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this particular award (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Environmental Resources Group, Inc., is likely not a small business, or if they are, the contract was not specifically set aside for them. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed in the provided data but are generally encouraged in government contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the USDA. The contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. As this is a task order under a BPA, the BPA itself likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases where award details are recorded.

Related Government Programs

USDA Grounds Maintenance Contracts
Agricultural Research Service Facility Management
BPA Call Contracts
Landscaping Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract duration is relatively short, requiring potential re-competition soon.
Scope of work is specific to mowing; other grounds maintenance needs may require separate contracts.
Performance quality and timeliness are critical for operational impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $33,750 to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES GROUP, INC.. USNA MOWING CONTRACT SERVICES: CONTRACT MOWING SERVICES TO SUPPLEMENT USNA STAFF EFFORTS AT SOUTH FARM, BELTSVILLE MD. CONTRACT COVERS APPROXIMATELY 30 ACRES. TASK ORDER FOR BPA # 12305B24A0012,

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33,750.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-10-16.

What is the track record of Environmental Resources Group, Inc. with federal contracts?

Environmental Resources Group, Inc. has a history of federal contract awards. While the provided data is specific to this mowing contract, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases would reveal the full scope of their past performance. This would include the types of services rendered, contract values, agencies served, and any performance ratings or disputes. Understanding their historical performance is crucial for assessing their reliability and capability in fulfilling the current contract requirements. A review of their past federal awards can indicate their experience in similar service areas and their ability to manage government contracts effectively.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar mowing services for federal agencies?

The contract value of $33,750 for approximately 6.5 months of mowing services across 30 acres is difficult to benchmark precisely without more granular data on service frequency, specific tasks (e.g., type of mowing, trimming, debris removal), and prevailing market rates in the Beltsville, MD area. However, considering the scope, the price appears to be within a reasonable range for professional landscaping services. To provide a more accurate comparison, one would need to analyze other federal contracts for similar acreage and service levels awarded by agencies like the USDA, Department of the Interior, or Department of Defense in comparable geographic regions. Factors such as the intensity of maintenance required and the specific vegetation types on the 30 acres would also influence cost.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues from the contractor, such as failure to meet mowing schedules or quality standards, which could impact the operational aesthetics and functionality of the South Farm facility. There's also a risk of scope creep if the acreage or service requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed properly. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor introduces dependency; any disruption to their service delivery could necessitate emergency measures. Lastly, budget risks exist if follow-on work or similar contracts are priced higher in the future due to market fluctuations or increased demand.

How effective is this contract in supplementing USNA staff efforts?

The effectiveness of this contract in supplementing USNA staff efforts hinges on several factors. Firstly, it assumes that the current USNA staff capacity is insufficient to manage the mowing needs of the 30 acres, particularly during peak seasons. By outsourcing this task, USNA staff can be reallocated to core research and operational duties, thereby increasing overall efficiency. The contract's effectiveness will be measured by the timely and satisfactory completion of mowing services as per the contract specifications. If the contractor performs reliably, it frees up valuable internal resources and ensures the grounds are maintained to the required standard without overburdening existing personnel.

What are the historical spending patterns for mowing and landscaping services at the Beltsville, MD facility?

Historical spending patterns for mowing and landscaping services at the Beltsville, MD facility are not detailed in the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to access historical contract databases for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) or the USDA specifically for this location. Analyzing past expenditures would reveal whether this is a recurring need, the typical contract values, the duration of previous contracts, and the contractors previously engaged. Understanding historical spending can help identify trends, assess the consistency of service needs, and provide a baseline for evaluating the current contract's value and necessity.

What is the significance of this contract being a task order under a BPA?

This contract being a task order under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) signifies a pre-negotiated agreement with established terms and conditions, often including pricing structures, for recurring or anticipated needs. For the government, it streamlines the procurement process, allowing for quicker ordering of services compared to initiating a new full and open competition for each requirement. It also provides a degree of price predictability. For the contractor, it offers a potential stream of work. The specific BPA (12305B24A0012) indicates that Environmental Resources Group, Inc. likely holds this BPA, and this task order represents one specific call against it for mowing services at the South Farm.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 144 CRYSTAL SPRING DR, ASHTON, MD, 20861

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,750

Exercised Options: $33,750

Current Obligation: $33,750

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12305B24A0012

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline