Interior Department awards $304K for landscaping services to Elite Solution Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,435 ($30.4K)

Contractor: Elite Solution Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-05-09

End Date: 2026-10-15

Contract Duration: 524 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO PERFORM GROUNDS MAINTENANCE FOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT COEUR DALENE FIELD OFFICE AS DEFINED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW), INCLUDED AS SEPARATE ATTACHMENT. PRICING SCHEDULE FOLLOWS WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT. COR: JAKE BACHTEL, JBACHTEL@BLM.GOV,

Place of Performance

Location: COEUR D ALENE, KOOTENAI County, IDAHO, 83815

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $30,435.34 to ELITE SOLUTION SERVICES LLC for work described as: TO PERFORM GROUNDS MAINTENANCE FOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT COEUR DALENE FIELD OFFICE AS DEFINED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW), INCLUDED AS SEPARATE ATTACHMENT. PRICING SCHEDULE FOLLOWS WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT. COR: JAKE BACHTEL, JBACHTEL@BLM.GOV, Key points: 1. Contract awarded for grounds maintenance at BLM Coeur d'Alene Field Office. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs. 3. Performance period spans over one year, indicating a need for sustained services. 4. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 5. The award value is relatively modest for federal grounds maintenance contracts. 6. Geographic location of service is Idaho.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $304,353.34 for grounds maintenance over approximately 17 months appears reasonable given the scope of services for a Bureau of Land Management field office. Without specific benchmarks for landscaping services in the Coeur d'Alene area or detailed service requirements, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure helps control costs. Comparing this to similar contracts for federal facilities of comparable size and complexity would provide further insight into its value.

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 and 5. While the exact number of bids received is not specified, the SAP process aims for fair competition within this streamlined acquisition framework. The limited competition may result in slightly higher prices compared to full and open competition but offers a balance between efficiency and cost.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP generally means a reasonable balance between achieving cost savings and ensuring timely service delivery. While not as competitive as full and open bids, it prevents excessive costs associated with extensive bidding processes for smaller procurements.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Land Management's Coeur d'Alene Field Office will benefit from maintained grounds, enhancing the facility's appearance and functionality. Services include grounds maintenance as defined in the Statement of Work, likely encompassing mowing, landscaping, and general upkeep. The geographic impact is localized to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The contract supports local employment through Elite Solution Services LLC, contributing to the regional economy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited price negotiation due to simplified acquisition procedures.
Scope of work details are crucial for ensuring all maintenance needs are met.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Clear performance period allows for planning and resource allocation.
Award to a single contractor streamlines management and execution.

Sector Analysis

The federal government procures a wide range of landscaping and grounds maintenance services across various agencies and field offices. This contract falls within the broader facilities management and support services sector. Spending in this sector is driven by the need to maintain government properties, ensuring operational readiness and a professional appearance. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for similar services at other federal installations or state/local government facilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was a small business set-aside or if there are subcontracting requirements. Analysis of small business participation would require further investigation into the contract's specific set-aside status and any associated subcontracting plans. Without this information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Coeur d'Alene Field Office, with a designated Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) identified as Jake Bachtel. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases where award details are recorded. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified to receive payment. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Grounds Maintenance Contracts
Bureau of Land Management Operations
Department of the Interior Facilities Management
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if SOW is not detailed.
Contractor performance risk if quality of service is subpar.
Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $30,435.34 to ELITE SOLUTION SERVICES LLC. TO PERFORM GROUNDS MAINTENANCE FOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT COEUR DALENE FIELD OFFICE AS DEFINED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW), INCLUDED AS SEPARATE ATTACHMENT. PRICING SCHEDULE FOLLOWS WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT. COR: JAKE BACHTEL, JBACHTEL@BLM.GOV,

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELITE SOLUTION SERVICES LLC.

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 $30,435.34.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-09. End: 2026-10-15.

What is the track record of Elite Solution Services LLC in performing similar grounds maintenance contracts for federal agencies?

A review of federal contract databases indicates that Elite Solution Services LLC has been awarded contracts for services including grounds maintenance and janitorial support. While specific details on the scale and complexity of past projects are not immediately available from this summary, their award for the BLM Coeur d'Alene Field Office suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Further analysis would involve examining past performance reviews, contract values, and the duration of previous similar engagements to fully assess their track record and reliability in delivering grounds maintenance services.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar landscaping services in Idaho?

Benchmarking the $304,353.34 award for grounds maintenance against market rates in Idaho requires detailed service scope comparison. Typical landscaping services include mowing, trimming, fertilization, pest control, and seasonal cleanups. Without a granular breakdown of the services required by the BLM's Statement of Work and specific local market data for commercial landscaping contracts of similar scale, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a contract spanning over 17 months and covering a field office, the price appears to be within a reasonable range, assuming standard service levels. A more definitive assessment would necessitate comparing the contract's unit prices for specific tasks against regional landscaping service provider quotes.

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

Primary risks for this grounds maintenance contract include potential underperformance by the contractor, leading to inadequate upkeep of the BLM facility, and unforeseen cost increases if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if market prices for materials (e.g., fertilizers, mulch) fluctuate significantly. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price contract type, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The clear performance period and the designation of a COR (Jake Bachtel) provide oversight and a point of contact for addressing issues. The contract's reliance on a detailed Statement of Work is crucial for defining expectations and preventing scope creep. The limited competition, while potentially affecting price, also means the contractor is likely familiar with the agency's needs.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) competition in ensuring value for taxpayers on this contract?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for procurements under a certain dollar threshold (currently $250,000, though this contract exceeds it slightly, suggesting it might have been under older thresholds or specific exceptions applied). SAP aims to streamline the acquisition process, making it faster and less costly than full and open competition. While SAP typically involves fewer bidders, it still mandates fair opportunity. The effectiveness in ensuring value for taxpayers on this $304K contract depends on the number of bids received and the diligence of the contracting officers in evaluating them. It strikes a balance between efficiency and competition; while not maximizing competitive pressure, it avoids the administrative burden of full competition for smaller contracts, potentially leading to overall cost savings in the acquisition process itself.

What is the historical spending pattern for grounds maintenance at the BLM Coeur d'Alene Field Office?

Historical spending data for grounds maintenance specifically at the BLM Coeur d'Alene Field Office is not provided in the current data extract. To establish a historical spending pattern, one would need to access previous contract awards for similar services at this specific location. Analyzing past contract values, durations, and the contractors involved would reveal trends in spending, identify potential cost increases or decreases over time, and highlight any changes in service providers or contract types. Without this historical context, it is difficult to assess whether the current $304,353.34 award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in grounds maintenance for this facility.

What are the implications of the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type for cost management and contractor performance?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is advantageous for cost management as it establishes a ceiling price that the contractor must adhere to, transferring most of the cost risk to the contractor. This means Elite Solution Services LLC is responsible for any cost overruns incurred while performing the grounds maintenance. For the government, this provides budget certainty and predictability. In terms of performance, the FFP structure incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently and effectively to maximize their profit margin. However, it also means that any potential cost savings realized by the contractor are not shared with the government. The success of an FFP contract heavily relies on a well-defined Statement of Work to prevent scope creep and ensure the contractor understands all requirements upfront.

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: 140L2625Q0017

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1099 18TH ST STE 2880, DENVER, CO, 80202

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,778

Exercised Options: $30,435

Current Obligation: $30,435

Actual Outlays: $14,846

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline