NWS Awards $2.1M Contract for Landscape Services at PA Facility
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,150 ($21.1K)
Contractor: J.J. Wurst Landscape Contractor, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2026-04-10
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 355 days
Daily Burn Rate: $60/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 21
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LANDSCAPE SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) LOCATED IN MOON TOWNSHIP, PA
Place of Performance
Location: CORAOPOLIS, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15108
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $21,150 to J.J. WURST LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR, INC. for work described as: LANDSCAPE SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) LOCATED IN MOON TOWNSHIP, PA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to J.J. WURST LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR, INC. for landscaping services. 2. The contract has a duration of 355 days and a total value of $2,115,000. 3. Procurement method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a competitive process for smaller purchases. 4. The contract is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2,115,000 for landscaping services over approximately one year appears high for a single facility. Benchmarking against similar landscaping contracts for government facilities of comparable size and scope would be necessary to determine if this pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process was used, likely for smaller value contracts. While competitive, SAP procedures may not always yield the same level of price discovery as full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The total value of $2.1M represents taxpayer funds allocated for essential facility maintenance. Ensuring competitive pricing within the SAP framework is crucial for maximizing the value of these funds.
Public Impact
Ensures the grounds of the NWS WFO in Moon Township, PA, are maintained, supporting operational readiness. Supports a private sector contractor, J.J. WURST LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR, INC., contributing to local or regional economy. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides budget predictability for the agency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High contract value for landscaping services.
- Limited details on the scope of work and specific deliverables.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Positive Signals
- Competitive bidding process utilized.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty.
- Supports essential facility maintenance for a critical government agency.
Sector Analysis
Landscaping services for government facilities are a common expenditure. The value of this contract appears substantial for routine landscaping, suggesting the scope may include more than basic maintenance or specialized requirements for the NWS facility.
Small Business Impact
Information on whether small businesses participated in or benefited from this contract is not provided. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Commerce, NOAA. Standard procurement regulations and oversight processes would apply. The fixed-price nature simplifies some aspects of oversight compared to cost-reimbursement contracts.
Related Government Programs
- Landscaping Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- High contract value relative to typical landscaping services.
- Lack of detailed scope of work in the provided data.
- Potential for overpricing if competition was not robust.
- Need for clear performance standards and quality control.
Tags
landscaping-services, department-of-commerce, pa, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $21,150 to J.J. WURST LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR, INC.. LANDSCAPE SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE (WFO) LOCATED IN MOON TOWNSHIP, PA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is J.J. WURST LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $21,150.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2027-03-31.
What specific services are included in this $2.1M landscaping contract to justify the high cost?
The provided data does not detail the specific services included. Given the contract value, it may encompass comprehensive grounds maintenance, specialized horticultural services, significant hardscaping, or extensive landscaping design and installation beyond typical upkeep. A detailed review of the Statement of Work (SOW) is required to understand the scope and justify the expenditure.
How does the $2.1M contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar NWS facilities or government installations of comparable size?
Without specific details on the scope of work and the exact size/features of the NWS WFO in Moon Township, PA, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, $2.1 million for approximately one year of landscaping services is notably high. Industry benchmarks for commercial landscaping typically range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per month, depending on scale and services.
What measures are in place to ensure the quality of landscaping services and prevent cost overruns under this firm fixed-price contract?
As a firm fixed-price contract, the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. Quality assurance would typically be managed through contract inspection clauses, performance metrics outlined in the SOW, and regular government oversight. The agency should have a designated point of contact to monitor service delivery and address any deficiencies promptly.
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: 1305M326Q0076
Offers Received: 21
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8334 EDINBORO RD, ERIE, PA, 16509
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $109,773
Exercised Options: $21,150
Current Obligation: $21,150
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2031-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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