State Department awards $3.6M facilities support contract to Semperserve LLC for services in Washington D.C

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,616,162 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Semperserve LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ---------- COMMENTS: THIS IS THE FOLLOW-ON REQUIREMENT FOR THE TASK ORDER 19AQMM20F1566. THE CONTRACTING OFFICER IS NICHOLE GROSS, (703) 516-1580. IT REQUEST STATUS: FALSE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $3.6 million to SEMPERSERVE LLC for work described as: ---------- COMMENTS: THIS IS THE FOLLOW-ON REQUIREMENT FOR THE TASK ORDER 19AQMM20F1566. THE CONTRACTING OFFICER IS NICHOLE GROSS, (703) 516-1580. IT REQUEST STATUS: FALSE Key points: 1. Contract provides essential facilities support services, ensuring operational continuity for the Department of State. 2. The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. Semperserve LLC, the awardee, will provide services over a four-year period, suggesting a need for sustained support. 4. The contract type is labor hours, which allows for flexibility in service delivery based on evolving needs. 5. The geographic focus is Washington D.C., highlighting the importance of these services to the capital's federal infrastructure. 6. The contract value of $3.6 million over four years suggests a moderate investment in maintaining critical facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.6 million over four years, averaging $904,000 annually, appears reasonable for comprehensive facilities support services in a high-cost area like Washington D.C. Benchmarking against similar contracts for facilities management in major metropolitan areas would provide a more precise value assessment. The labor hours contract type allows for cost control by paying only for actual work performed, which can be advantageous if needs fluctuate.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the initial solicitation may have had some exclusions, the final award was made after a competitive process open to all eligible sources. The specific details of the exclusion and the number of bidders are not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and service, leading to potentially lower costs and better value.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from consistent and reliable facilities support, enabling its core mission operations. Services include maintenance, repair, and potentially other facility-related functions critical for government buildings. The primary geographic impact is within Washington D.C., supporting federal infrastructure in the nation's capital. The contract supports a workforce employed by Semperserve LLC, contributing to local employment in the D.C. area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics or specific service level agreements in the provided data.
The 'exclusion of sources' aspect, though followed by full and open competition, warrants further investigation into initial limitations.
Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not managed efficiently by the contractor.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Long-term contract duration (four years) indicates a stable and ongoing need for these services.
Focus on essential facilities support is critical for government operations.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services fall under the broader commercial and professional services sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of providers, from large corporations to specialized small businesses. Government contracts for facilities management are common and essential for maintaining federal buildings and infrastructure across the country. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for operational support in government facilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. This suggests the contract was likely awarded to a larger entity or that small businesses were not specifically targeted through set-aside provisions. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist at the discretion of the prime contractor, Semperserve LLC, but are not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of State's contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Buildings Fund
Department of Defense Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Other Agency Facilities Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to labor-hours contract type.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided summary.
Need for further clarification on the 'exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $3.6 million to SEMPERSERVE LLC. ---------- COMMENTS: THIS IS THE FOLLOW-ON REQUIREMENT FOR THE TASK ORDER 19AQMM20F1566. THE CONTRACTING OFFICER IS NICHOLE GROSS, (703) 516-1580. IT REQUEST STATUS: FALSE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SEMPERSERVE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of Semperserve LLC in performing similar facilities support services for federal agencies?

Assessing Semperserve LLC's track record requires reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving facilities support services. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A strong performance history with similar agencies or for comparable services would indicate a lower risk for this current contract. Conversely, a history of poor performance, missed deadlines, or cost overruns on previous contracts would raise concerns about their ability to meet the requirements of this new award.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for facilities support in the Washington D.C. area?

The annual cost of approximately $904,000 for this contract needs to be benchmarked against industry standards for facilities support services in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. This comparison should consider the scope of services (e.g., janitorial, maintenance, HVAC, security), the size and type of facilities managed, and the specific labor rates prevalent in the region. Without detailed service breakdowns, a precise comparison is difficult, but general market data for commercial facility management in high-cost urban centers can provide a baseline. If the contract's annual cost significantly deviates from these benchmarks, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing.

What are the primary risks associated with a labor-hours contract for facilities support?

The primary risk associated with a labor-hours contract for facilities support is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor does not manage labor efficiently or if the scope of work expands beyond initial estimates without proper controls. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the government pays for the actual hours worked, making contractor efficiency crucial. Risks include potential for 'gold-plating' (overstaffing or unnecessary work), extended timelines due to inefficient labor deployment, and difficulty in accurately forecasting total project costs upfront. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent monitoring of labor hours are essential to mitigate these risks.

What is the significance of the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award method?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award method suggests an initial phase where certain sources might have been excluded, possibly due to specific requirements or pre-qualification. However, the subsequent 'Full and Open Competition' phase means that all responsible sources were ultimately allowed to compete. This approach can be used when there's a need to narrow down potential offerors initially based on specific criteria, but then ensure broad competition for the final award. It aims to balance the need for specialized capabilities with the benefits of wide market participation, potentially leading to better value than a sole-source or narrowly competed contract.

How has the Department of State's spending on facilities support services evolved over the past five years?

To understand the evolution of the Department of State's spending on facilities support services, one would need to analyze historical contract data over the past five years. This analysis would involve identifying all contracts categorized under facilities support, maintenance, and related services, summing their values annually, and noting trends. Factors influencing spending could include changes in facility needs, infrastructure upgrades, shifts in contracting strategies (e.g., moving from multiple small contracts to larger IDIQs or vice versa), and overall budget allocations. Understanding this historical context helps in evaluating whether the current $3.6 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM21R0197

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 236 MOUNTAIN LAUREL LN, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 21409

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,932,971

Exercised Options: $4,506,004

Current Obligation: $3,616,162

Actual Outlays: $546,336

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM22D0027

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline