Interior Department awards $305K janitorial contract in Nevada, highlighting limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $305,276 ($305.3K)

Contractor: Washoe Ability Resource Center

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 359 days

Daily Burn Rate: $850/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEVADA STATE OFFICE JANITORIAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: RENO, WASHOE County, NEVADA, 89502

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $305,276.04 to WASHOE ABILITY RESOURCE CENTER for work described as: NEVADA STATE OFFICE JANITORIAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a non-competitive process, raising questions about potential cost savings. 2. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but may limit flexibility for the government. 3. Limited competition suggests potential for higher pricing than in a more open market. 4. The contract duration of nearly one year aligns with typical service agreements. 5. Geographic focus on Nevada indicates a localized service requirement. 6. The service category is essential for maintaining government facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $305,276.04 for janitorial services over approximately one year appears reasonable for a government facility of this nature. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark against market rates or determine if the government secured the best possible value. The firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability, but the absence of competition means there's no direct comparison to assess pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded using a sole-source justification, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required services, often due to unique capabilities or specific circumstances. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was bypassed, potentially leading to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing due to the absence of a bidding process. This sole-source award limits the government's ability to leverage market competition to drive down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the occupants and users of the Nevada State Office facilities, who will experience a maintained and sanitary environment. Essential janitorial services, including cleaning, sanitation, and waste removal, will be delivered. The geographic impact is localized to the specific state office building in Nevada. The contract supports local employment through the service provider, WASHOE ABILITY RESOURCE CENTER.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source awards can indicate potential barriers to entry for other vendors.
Reliance on a single provider could pose risks if service quality declines or the provider faces issues.

Positive Signals

The contract supports an organization that likely has a mission related to providing resources or employment opportunities.
The firm fixed-price contract offers budget certainty for the agency.
The service is essential for maintaining a functional and healthy work environment.

Sector Analysis

The janitorial services sector is a mature and competitive market, with numerous providers ranging from small local businesses to large national corporations. Government contracts for these services are common across various agencies and facilities. While this specific contract is sole-sourced, the broader market typically sees significant competition, which usually drives down prices. The value of this contract is relatively small within the overall federal spending landscape for facilities maintenance.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to WASHOE ABILITY RESOURCE CENTER. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this entity qualifies as a small business or if it is a non-profit organization with a social mission. There is no indication of small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Bureau of Land Management, a division of the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures would be managed through contract administration, performance monitoring, and adherence to the terms of the firm fixed-price agreement. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with less public visibility into the justification and pricing compared to a competed contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Government Janitorial Services
Bureau of Land Management Operations

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $305,276.04 to WASHOE ABILITY RESOURCE CENTER. NEVADA STATE OFFICE JANITORIAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WASHOE ABILITY RESOURCE CENTER.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $305,276.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of WASHOE ABILITY RESOURCE CENTER in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of WASHOE ABILITY RESOURCE CENTER in performing similar government contracts is not provided in the data. To assess their performance history, one would typically review past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes on federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and quality of service based on past experience with government entities. Further investigation into their contract history would be necessary to provide a comprehensive answer.

How does the awarded price compare to similar janitorial contracts in Nevada?

The provided data does not include sufficient information to benchmark the awarded price of $305,276.04 against similar janitorial contracts in Nevada. A proper comparison would require data on the square footage of the facilities serviced, the scope of services (e.g., frequency of cleaning, specialized services), and the contract duration for comparable contracts. Additionally, the sole-source nature of this award means it was not subjected to competitive pricing pressures, making direct comparison to competitively bid contracts potentially misleading. Access to historical competitive bids for similar services in the region would be essential for a robust value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract stem from the lack of competition. Firstly, there is a significant risk of paying a higher price than would be achievable in a competitive environment, as the government did not leverage market forces to secure the best value. Secondly, there's a potential for reduced service quality or innovation, as the contractor may face less pressure to excel when there are no competing alternatives. Lastly, there's an operational risk if the sole-source provider encounters difficulties (e.g., financial instability, staffing issues), as finding and transitioning to a new provider could be complex and time-consuming given the non-competitive nature of the initial award.

What is the expected effectiveness of these janitorial services for the Nevada State Office?

The expected effectiveness of these janitorial services is to maintain a clean, sanitary, and safe working environment for the Nevada State Office. Effective janitorial services contribute to employee health and productivity, enhance the professional appearance of the facility, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. The firm fixed-price contract structure implies that the contractor is incentivized to deliver the agreed-upon services efficiently to maintain profitability. However, the ultimate effectiveness will depend on the contractor's performance, the clarity of the service requirements, and the government's oversight and quality assurance processes.

How does this contract's value compare to the Bureau of Land Management's overall spending on facilities maintenance?

The contract value of $305,276.04 for janitorial services represents a relatively small portion of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) overall spending on facilities maintenance. The BLM manages vast amounts of land and numerous facilities across the United States, often involving significant infrastructure and operational costs. While specific figures for the BLM's total facilities maintenance budget are not provided here, it is reasonable to assume that this single janitorial contract constitutes a minor expenditure within their broader operational budget. Annual spending on facilities maintenance for such a large agency typically runs into millions, if not tens of millions, of dollars.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 555 REACTOR WAY, RENO, NV, 89502

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,564,905

Exercised Options: $305,276

Current Obligation: $305,276

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline