Agriculture awards $1.19M contract for NCAPP grass mowing services to Melwood Horticultural Training Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $119,042 ($119.0K)

Contractor: Melwood Horticultural Training Center, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-05-01

End Date: 2028-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $65/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ATTN: LATISHA HOLMAN, BASE PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS FOR GRASS MOWING AT NCAPP PER THE SOW. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM GRASS MOWING SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPLIED PLANT PROTECTION (NCAPP) IN LAUREL, MARYLAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SOW IN

Place of Performance

Location: UPPER MARLBORO, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20772

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $119,042.01 to MELWOOD HORTICULTURAL TRAINING CENTER, INC. for work described as: ATTN: LATISHA HOLMAN, BASE PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS FOR GRASS MOWING AT NCAPP PER THE SOW. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM GRASS MOWING SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPLIED PLANT PROTECTION (NCAPP) IN LAUREL, MARYLAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SOW IN Key points: 1. The contract covers grass mowing at the National Center for Applied Plant Protection (NCAPP) in Laurel, Maryland. 2. Melwood Horticultural Training Center, Inc. is the awarded contractor. 3. The contract has a base period and four option years, totaling 1826 days. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. The NAICS code is 561730 for Landscaping Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.19M over five years for landscaping services appears within a reasonable range for a government facility of this nature. Benchmarking against similar landscaping contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a fully competed contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these landscaping services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued maintenance of grounds at a key agricultural research facility. Supports a contractor that may have a social mission (Melwood is a horticultural training center). Provides essential landscaping services for environmental and aesthetic purposes at NCAPP.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Contract ensures essential grounds maintenance.
Long-term contract provides stability for services.

Sector Analysis

The landscaping services sector for government facilities is competitive, but specific needs like those at NCAPP can sometimes lead to limited competition. Spending benchmarks for landscaping services vary significantly based on location, size of the facility, and scope of work.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Melwood Horticultural Training Center, Inc. Information regarding their small business status or subcontracting plans is not provided in the data. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Ensuring adherence to the Statement of Work (SOW) and monitoring performance are key oversight functions.

Related Government Programs

Landscaping Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Lack of detailed cost justification
Potential for scope creep impacting price
No clear small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $119,042.01 to MELWOOD HORTICULTURAL TRAINING CENTER, INC.. ATTN: LATISHA HOLMAN, BASE PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS FOR GRASS MOWING AT NCAPP PER THE SOW. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM GRASS MOWING SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPLIED PLANT PROTECTION (NCAPP) IN LAUREL, MARYLAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SOW IN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MELWOOD HORTICULTURAL TRAINING CENTER, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $119,042.01.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-01. End: 2028-04-30.

What is the justification for limiting competition on this landscaping contract?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' implying a limited competition strategy. Without further details, the specific justification, such as a sole-source provider or urgent need, is unknown. Understanding this rationale is crucial for assessing the fairness of the procurement process and potential value for taxpayers.

How does the per-unit cost of grass mowing compare to industry benchmarks for similar facilities?

A precise per-unit cost benchmark is not available without more granular data on the area mowed, frequency, and specific services included. However, the total contract value of $1.19M over five years for landscaping at NCAPP suggests an average annual cost of approximately $238,000. This figure should be compared against regional landscaping service costs for comparable government or large commercial properties.

What is the potential risk of cost overruns given the firm fixed-price contract type?

A firm fixed-price contract generally shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. However, if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if unforeseen circumstances arise, change orders could increase the total cost. Robust contract management and clear SOW are essential to mitigate this risk.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 12639523Q0051

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5606 DOWER HOUSE RD, UPPER MARLBORO, MD, 20772

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $148,168

Exercised Options: $119,042

Current Obligation: $119,042

Actual Outlays: $68,124

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline