State Dept. Awards $161M Food Service Contract to EDEN CAFFE' S.R.L. Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $161,165 ($161.2K)
Contractor: Eden Caffe' S.R.L.
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2024-09-01
End Date: 2024-09-20
Contract Duration: 19 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: MSG COOK
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $161,164.88 to EDEN CAFFE' S.R.L. for work described as: MSG COOK Key points: 1. Contract Value: $161.1 million for food services. 2. Competition: Awarded via full and open competition, indicating market availability. 3. Risk: Firm fixed price contract mitigates cost overrun risk. 4. Sector: Food service contractors supporting government operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $161.1 million for a 19-day period appears high, suggesting a significant scope of services or potentially a premium for specialized catering. Benchmarking against similar large-scale event catering contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value from a broad range of qualified sources.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to yield a fair market price, maximizing taxpayer value for the food services procured.
Public Impact
Ensures essential food services are provided for government personnel or events. Supports the operational readiness of the Department of State. Potential for high-quality catering services due to competitive bidding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High contract value for a short duration may warrant further scrutiny of the scope and unit pricing.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if this is a recurring need without re-competition.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
- Clear contract award date and period of performance.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the food service industry, supporting government agencies. Spending benchmarks for large-scale event catering or institutional food services can vary widely based on location, duration, and specific requirements. The $161M value for 19 days is exceptionally high for typical food service contracts.
Small Business Impact
While awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication that small businesses were prime contractors or subcontractors on this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of full and open competition suggests a standard procurement process was followed. Oversight would focus on contract performance, adherence to specifications, and proper invoicing and payment procedures by the Department of State.
Related Government Programs
- Food Service Contractors
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- High cost per day.
- Potential for scope creep or unclarified services.
- Limited duration may indicate a one-off event rather than sustained need.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Tags
food-service-contractors, department-of-state, definitive-contract, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $161,164.88 to EDEN CAFFE' S.R.L.. MSG COOK
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EDEN CAFFE' S.R.L..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $161,164.88.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-01. End: 2024-09-20.
What specific services are included in this $161 million food service contract to justify the high cost for a 19-day period?
The substantial cost for a short duration suggests the contract likely encompasses extensive catering for a major event, diplomatic function, or a large-scale operational need involving high-end services, significant personnel, or specialized food requirements. Detailed line-item breakdowns and service level agreements within the contract documentation would clarify the scope and justify the expenditure.
What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this magnitude for food services?
While firm fixed-price contracts offer cost certainty, risks include potential for the contractor to cut corners on quality or service to maintain profitability if costs escalate unexpectedly. There's also a risk of the government overpaying if the initial price was not accurately benchmarked against market rates for the specific services rendered.
How effectively does full and open competition ensure value for money in this specific food service contract?
Full and open competition is designed to maximize value by encouraging multiple bids, driving down prices. However, the effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the solicitation's requirements and the evaluation criteria. If the requirements were overly specific or the evaluation heavily weighted non-price factors, the competitive advantage might be diminished.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Special Food Services › Food Service Contractors
Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS TESTING
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 191T7024Q0022
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: VIA CORNELIO MAGNI 13, ROMA
Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $321,533
Exercised Options: $188,728
Current Obligation: $161,165
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-01
Current End Date: 2024-09-20
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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