Forest Service awards $1.1M contract for janitorial and recreation site cleaning at Grandfather Ranger District

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,361 ($11.4K)

Contractor: Kirby, Betty

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-04-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: JANITORIAL SERVICES AND RECREATION SITE CLEANING AT THE GRANDFATHER RANGER DISTRICT REC. SITES

Place of Performance

Location: LINVILLE, AVERY County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28646

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $11,361 to KIRBY, BETTY for work described as: JANITORIAL SERVICES AND RECREATION SITE CLEANING AT THE GRANDFATHER RANGER DISTRICT REC. SITES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential cleaning services to maintain public facilities. 2. Services include janitorial tasks and upkeep of recreation sites. 3. The contract duration is one year, aligning with seasonal needs. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 5. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 6. North Carolina is the primary geographic location for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.136 million for a one-year janitorial and recreation site cleaning service appears reasonable given the scope. While specific benchmarks for this exact type of service in a national forest setting are not readily available, general janitorial service costs can be estimated. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overruns. Without more detailed service requirements or comparable contract data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the award seems to be within expected parameters for maintaining public recreation areas.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often between 2-5, for procurements under a certain dollar threshold. The specific competition level (e.g., number of bids received) is not detailed in the provided data. Limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition, but it also offers efficiency for smaller contract awards.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can mean slightly higher prices than if a broader range of vendors were solicited. However, the efficiency gains and focus on smaller businesses often associated with SAP can also represent good value by ensuring resources are directed effectively for necessary services.

Public Impact

The public benefits from clean and well-maintained recreation sites, enhancing user experience. Services ensure sanitary conditions at the Grandfather Ranger District's facilities. Visitors to national forest recreation areas in North Carolina will directly benefit. Local workforce may see employment opportunities through the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition to impact price competitiveness.
Scope of 'recreation site cleaning' could be broad and require clear definition to ensure all needs are met.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Award supports maintenance of public-use facilities, aligning with agency mission.
Contract duration of one year allows for flexibility in future procurement.

Sector Analysis

The janitorial and cleaning services sector is a mature and competitive market. This contract falls within the broader facilities maintenance and support services industry. Government contracts for such services are common across various agencies to ensure the upkeep of federal properties and public spaces. The market size for government janitorial services is substantial, with many small and large businesses participating. This specific award is a small component within that larger sector, focused on a particular geographic area and set of facilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the contractor is not identified as a small business. There is no information on subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, which is not specified here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and potentially a contract specialist. Performance monitoring would likely involve regular inspections of the cleaned sites and adherence to service schedules. Accountability is enforced through the firm fixed-price contract terms, with potential penalties or remedies for non-performance. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

National Forest Recreation Site Maintenance
Federal Janitorial Services Contracts
Department of Agriculture Facilities Management

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting public experience.
Contractor staffing challenges in remote locations.
Limited competition may affect price optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $11,361 to KIRBY, BETTY. JANITORIAL SERVICES AND RECREATION SITE CLEANING AT THE GRANDFATHER RANGER DISTRICT REC. SITES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KIRBY, BETTY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11,361.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What specific janitorial and recreation site cleaning tasks are included in this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'JANITORIAL SERVICES AND RECREATION SITE CLEANING AT THE GRANDFATHER RANGER DISTRICT REC. SITES'. While the exact scope of work is not detailed, typical janitorial services include cleaning restrooms, common areas, and offices, as well as trash removal. Recreation site cleaning would likely encompass tasks such as cleaning picnic areas, campsites, trailheads, and associated facilities to ensure they are sanitary, safe, and aesthetically pleasing for public use. Specifics such as frequency of cleaning, types of cleaning agents to be used, and detailed site requirements would be outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) attached to the contract, which is not provided here.

How does the $1.136 million award compare to similar janitorial contracts for federal recreation sites?

Benchmarking this $1.136 million award for a one-year contract requires more granular data on the specific sites, services, and geographic region. However, federal janitorial and grounds maintenance contracts can range significantly in price based on the size and number of facilities, the complexity of services, and local labor costs. For a single ranger district, this amount suggests a substantial number of recreation sites or a high frequency of service required. Without access to a database of comparable Forest Service or other agency contracts for similar recreation areas, a precise comparison is difficult. Generally, contracts for maintaining public-use facilities in high-traffic areas tend to be more costly due to the demands for cleanliness and upkeep.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential underperformance by the contractor in maintaining cleanliness standards, leading to negative public perception and potential health concerns. Another risk is the contractor's ability to recruit and retain sufficient staff, especially in potentially remote ranger district locations. The firm fixed-price contract structure mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. Mitigation for performance risk relies on clear performance standards in the SOW, regular inspections, and performance monitoring by the Forest Service. Contractor selection processes also aim to mitigate risks by vetting potential vendors for past performance and capacity.

What is the historical spending pattern for janitorial and recreation site cleaning at the Grandfather Ranger District?

The provided data does not include historical spending information for this specific contract or location. To assess historical spending patterns, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for previous contracts awarded to the Grandfather Ranger District or the Forest Service for similar janitorial and recreation site cleaning services. Analyzing past awards would reveal trends in contract values, durations, competition levels, and awarded contractors, providing context for the current $1.136 million award and its potential significance or deviation from historical norms.

What is the contractor's track record with federal contracts, particularly for janitorial or maintenance services?

The contractor identified is KIRBY, BETTY. Without further information or a unique identifier (like a DUNS or UEI number), it is challenging to definitively assess their track record with federal contracts. If 'KIRBY, BETTY' refers to an individual or a small sole proprietorship, their federal contracting history might be limited or not easily searchable under that name alone. A comprehensive assessment would require searching federal procurement databases using a more specific entity identifier to review past performance ratings, contract types, and the nature of services previously provided to government agencies.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3095 OLD JOHNS RIVER RD, COLLETTSVILLE, NC, 28611

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,361

Exercised Options: $11,361

Current Obligation: $11,361

Actual Outlays: $11,361

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12444121D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline