Agriculture's $20.3M Janitorial Contract for Mount Saint Helens Facilities Awarded to The Cobuilders LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,349 ($20.3K)

Contractor: THE Cobuilders LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-07-03

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 666 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MOUNT SAINT HELEN'S NVM COMPOUND JANITORIAL CONTRACT, BASE + 4 OPTION (5 TOTAL) FOR OFFICE, WAREHOUSE AND LEO BUILDING.

Place of Performance

Location: AMBOY, COWLITZ County, WASHINGTON, 98601

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $20,348.92 to THE COBUILDERS LLC for work described as: MOUNT SAINT HELEN'S NVM COMPOUND JANITORIAL CONTRACT, BASE + 4 OPTION (5 TOTAL) FOR OFFICE, WAREHOUSE AND LEO BUILDING. Key points: 1. The contract covers janitorial services for office, warehouse, and LEO buildings at Mount Saint Helens. 2. Awarded to The Cobuilders LLC, the contract has a base period and four option years. 3. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the Forest Service. 5. The total duration of the contract is 666 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.3M over approximately 22 months appears reasonable for janitorial services of this scope. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for facility maintenance in the region would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, which typically involves a limited number of offers. While this method can be efficient for smaller procurements, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline the acquisition process, potentially saving administrative costs. The firm-fixed-price type helps ensure predictable spending for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Ensures cleanliness and maintenance of critical facilities at a prominent national monument. Supports local employment through the contracted janitorial services. Maintains a safe and healthy environment for Forest Service personnel and visitors. The contract's duration and scope impact the operational readiness of the Mount Saint Helens facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition under SAP.
Contract duration is unusually long (666 days) for a SAP procurement.
No specific small business set-aside mentioned.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Competition under SAP can lead to faster award.
Covers essential facility maintenance services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically Janitorial Services. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, driven by the need to maintain government buildings and infrastructure nationwide. Benchmarks vary widely based on facility size, location, and service complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under SAP, which can sometimes include small business set-asides. However, the data does not explicitly state if this was a small business set-aside or if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Forest Service is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure compliance with terms and conditions. Regular performance reviews and adherence to the firm-fixed-price agreement are key oversight mechanisms to ensure taxpayer value.

Related Government Programs

Janitorial Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition impacting price.
Unusually long contract duration for SAP.
Lack of explicit small business participation details.
Definition of 'LEO building' requires clarification for full scope assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $20,348.92 to THE COBUILDERS LLC. MOUNT SAINT HELEN'S NVM COMPOUND JANITORIAL CONTRACT, BASE + 4 OPTION (5 TOTAL) FOR OFFICE, WAREHOUSE AND LEO BUILDING.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE COBUILDERS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20,348.92.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-03. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the specific definition of 'LEO building' in the context of this contract, and does its unique nature impact the janitorial service requirements and cost?

LEO likely refers to Law Enforcement Operations. If these buildings house sensitive equipment, require specialized cleaning protocols due to security concerns, or demand higher levels of sanitation, it could justify a higher per-unit cost. Clarifying the specific requirements for LEO buildings is crucial for a complete value assessment and to ensure the contractor is adequately resourced.

Given the competition method was SAP, what was the rationale for not pursuing full and open competition, and how does this impact the potential for cost savings?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are typically used for procurements valued under the SAT (currently $250,000, but can be higher for certain agencies/situations). If this $20.3M contract exceeded the SAP threshold, its use might indicate an error or a specific justification. If it was within the threshold, SAP allows for faster acquisition but may limit the pool of potential offerors, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing than a full and open competition.

The contract duration is 666 days. Is this duration standard for janitorial services under SAP, and does it align with the agency's anticipated needs for facility maintenance?

A 666-day contract duration, while seemingly specific, is not inherently unusual for service contracts that include option periods. However, for a contract competed under SAP, which often implies smaller, more routine needs, such a long duration warrants scrutiny. It's important to confirm if this aligns with the Forest Service's long-term facility management strategy and if the pricing remains competitive throughout the entire period.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1240BD25Q0035

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5528 DUNN HILL DR, FORT WORTH, TX, 76137

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $53,219

Exercised Options: $20,349

Current Obligation: $20,349

Actual Outlays: $5,012

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline