USDA awards $38K contract for grounds maintenance at Missouri research lab

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,082 ($38.1K)

Contractor: Wrim Management LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-05-22

End Date: 2026-05-21

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MOWING AND SNOW PLOWING, SHOVELING AND/OR DE-ICING SERVICES WILL BE LOCATED AT THE USDA-ARS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INSECTS RESEARCH LABORATORY, COLUMBIA, MISSOURI.

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, BOONE County, MISSOURI, 65203

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $38,081.8 to WRIM MANAGEMENT LLC for work described as: MOWING AND SNOW PLOWING, SHOVELING AND/OR DE-ICING SERVICES WILL BE LOCATED AT THE USDA-ARS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INSECTS RESEARCH LABORATORY, COLUMBIA, MISSOURI. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential groundskeeping services for a specific USDA facility. 2. The award was made under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The contract duration is three years, providing a stable service period. 4. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The services are geographically specific to Columbia, Missouri.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $38,081.80 over three years is relatively small, suggesting a focus on routine maintenance rather than large-scale landscaping projects. Benchmarking against similar contracts for groundskeeping services at federal facilities of comparable size and scope would be necessary for a precise value assessment. However, given the limited scope and duration, the price appears reasonable for the services described.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of quotes or proposals, often from pre-qualified vendors. While not a full and open competition, SAP aims to streamline the procurement process for smaller dollar amounts. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the 'competed under SAP' designation suggests a competitive process within that framework.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP for smaller contracts like this generally ensures some level of price discovery and prevents sole-source awards, offering a degree of value for taxpayers by avoiding potentially higher costs associated with non-competitive buys.

Public Impact

The USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility in Columbia, Missouri, will benefit from maintained grounds. Essential services include mowing, snow plowing, shoveling, and de-icing, ensuring operational continuity and safety. The geographic impact is localized to the specific ARS laboratory site in Columbia, Missouri. The contract supports local service providers through WRIM MANAGEMENT LLC, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the Columbia area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP procedures, which might not attract the widest range of vendors.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical grounds maintenance could pose a risk if the vendor experiences performance issues or financial instability.

Positive Signals

The contract is competed, indicating an effort to obtain competitive pricing.
The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.
The duration of three years offers stability in service delivery for the facility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader landscaping and grounds maintenance sector, which is a common service requirement for federal agencies. Federal spending in this area typically supports a large ecosystem of small and medium-sized businesses. The market for such services is generally fragmented, with many local and regional providers. This specific contract represents a small portion of overall federal spending on facilities maintenance.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. However, given the contract value and the nature of landscaping services, it is plausible that small businesses are active participants in this market. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist or if WRIM MANAGEMENT LLC is itself a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program officials within the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. As a purchase order under SAP, it likely involves less formal oversight than larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if significant fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

USDA Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Federal Groundskeeping Services
Agricultural Research Service Operations

Risk Flags

Limited competition potential under SAP
Contractor performance risk
Geographic concentration of services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $38,081.8 to WRIM MANAGEMENT LLC. MOWING AND SNOW PLOWING, SHOVELING AND/OR DE-ICING SERVICES WILL BE LOCATED AT THE USDA-ARS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INSECTS RESEARCH LABORATORY, COLUMBIA, MISSOURI.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WRIM MANAGEMENT LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $38,081.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-22. End: 2026-05-21.

What is the track record of WRIM MANAGEMENT LLC in performing federal contracts?

Information regarding WRIM MANAGEMENT LLC's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance history, one would typically review past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available in systems like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. A lack of extensive federal contract history might indicate they are a newer entrant or primarily serve commercial/state/local clients. For this specific contract, the award was a purchase order, which often goes to vendors with established capabilities, but further due diligence would be required to confirm their federal performance history.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar grounds maintenance contracts at federal facilities?

The contract value of $38,081.80 over three years ($12,693.93 annually) is relatively modest for federal grounds maintenance. Larger federal facilities, especially those with extensive grounds or specialized landscaping needs, can have annual maintenance contracts ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. This contract appears to be for routine services at a specific research laboratory, suggesting a smaller operational footprint or a more focused scope of work. Benchmarking would involve comparing it to contracts for similar-sized facilities or specific service bundles (e.g., mowing only, snow removal only) in the same geographic region to ascertain if the pricing is competitive.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues from the contractor (WRIM MANAGEMENT LLC), such as failure to adequately perform mowing, snow removal, or de-icing services, which could impact facility operations and safety. Another risk is contractor instability; if the company faces financial difficulties or ceases operations, the USDA would need to quickly procure replacement services, potentially at a higher cost or with service disruptions. Given the competition was under SAP, there's also a moderate risk that the limited competition may have resulted in a price that is not as low as it could have been under a broader solicitation. Finally, the fixed-price nature, while good for cost certainty, shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, which could incentivize cutting corners on service quality if not properly monitored.

How effective is this contract likely to be in meeting the USDA's needs?

This contract is likely to be effective in meeting the USDA's basic needs for grounds maintenance at the Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, provided WRIM MANAGEMENT LLC performs as expected. The firm-fixed-price structure and three-year duration offer predictability. The services specified (mowing, snow plowing, de-icing) are essential for maintaining the facility's accessibility, safety, and professional appearance. Effectiveness will hinge on the contractor's adherence to the scope of work and performance standards outlined in the purchase order. Regular monitoring and quality assurance by the USDA contracting officer's representative will be crucial to ensure the services meet the required standards throughout the contract period.

What are the historical spending patterns for grounds maintenance at this specific USDA facility?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for grounds maintenance at the USDA-ARS Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory in Columbia, Missouri. To analyze historical spending, one would need to access procurement data for previous years, identifying contracts awarded for similar services at this specific location. This would allow for an assessment of spending trends, price fluctuations, and changes in contractor selection over time. Without this historical context, it is difficult to determine if the current $38,081.80 award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to prior periods.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12505B23Q0118

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1904 CEDAR WALK LN, CONLEY, GA, 30288

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,841

Exercised Options: $38,082

Current Obligation: $38,082

Actual Outlays: $26,742

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline