Department of State awards $2M contract for EXPO 2025 food services to Mosimann's Ltd

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,034,426 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Mosimann's Ltd

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2024-12-13

End Date: 2025-11-01

Contract Duration: 323 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPO 2025 FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICES

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $2.0 million to MOSIMANN'S LTD for work described as: EXPO 2025 FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via competitive process under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 2. Value for money assessment pending detailed cost breakdown and benchmarking. 3. Limited duration of 323 days suggests a focused scope for event services. 4. Performance context relies on successful execution of food and beverage services for EXPO 2025. 5. Sector positioning within food service contractors is specific to large-scale event support. 6. Risk indicators include potential for cost overruns and service quality issues during a high-profile event.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $2 million for a 323-day period for food and beverage services at EXPO 2025 appears reasonable for a large-scale international event. However, without detailed cost breakdowns, it is difficult to benchmark against similar contracts or assess the value for money definitively. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty, but potential for scope creep or unforeseen operational challenges could impact overall value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and is used for procurements below certain dollar thresholds. While competed, the specific number of bidders and the extent of outreach are not detailed, suggesting a potentially less robust competition than a full and open process. This could influence price discovery and potentially lead to higher prices than if a broader competition were held.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a limited competition under SAP may mean less assurance of the lowest possible price being secured. While efforts were made to compete, the restricted nature could result in a higher overall cost compared to a widely advertised solicitation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are attendees of EXPO 2025, who will receive food and beverage services. Services delivered include catering, food preparation, and beverage provision for the duration of the event. Geographic impact is localized to the EXPO 2025 venue. Workforce implications may include temporary employment opportunities for catering staff and support personnel at the event location.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions or quality issues during a high-visibility international event.
Risk of cost overruns if event attendance or service demands exceed initial projections.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical event services could lead to leverage issues.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process, indicating some level of market vetting.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration is aligned with the event timeline, suggesting focused operational planning.

Sector Analysis

The food service industry, particularly for large-scale events like EXPO 2025, is highly competitive but requires specialized capabilities. This contract falls within the broader food service contractors sector, with specific emphasis on event catering and logistics. Benchmarking against similar event contracts would require access to detailed service scopes and pricing structures, but the $2 million award for a multi-month event suggests a significant operational scale.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Given the specialized nature of large-scale event catering, it is possible that the prime contractor may utilize small businesses for specific components, but this is not explicitly stated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would likely be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of State, responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price award, with potential penalties or remedies for non-performance. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and financial reporting may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Event Support Contracts
International Exposition Services
Government Catering and Food Services
Federal Procurement for Diplomatic Events

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price discovery.
Potential for service quality issues during a high-profile event.
Contractor's specific experience with government-sponsored international events requires verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $2.0 million to MOSIMANN'S LTD. EXPO 2025 FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOSIMANN'S LTD.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-13. End: 2025-11-01.

What is the track record of Mosimann's Ltd. in providing food and beverage services for large-scale international events, particularly those sponsored or supported by government entities?

Information regarding Mosimann's Ltd.'s specific track record with government-sponsored international events is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, client references, and any publicly available information on their experience with similar-scale events. Understanding their history with managing complex logistics, adhering to dietary regulations, and ensuring service quality under pressure is crucial for evaluating their suitability for the EXPO 2025 contract. Without this specific data, the assessment relies on the assumption that the Department of State conducted adequate due diligence during the procurement process.

How does the awarded price of approximately $2 million for 323 days of food and beverage services compare to similar contracts for international expositions or large government events?

Direct comparison of the $2 million award for 323 days is challenging without detailed specifications of services, attendee numbers, and venue specifics. However, for context, large-scale event catering contracts can range significantly. For instance, contracts for major sporting events or international conferences often run into millions of dollars, depending on the duration and scale. The firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the value for money hinges on the scope of services (e.g., number of meals, types of venues, staffing levels) and the competitive landscape. A benchmark would ideally involve comparing per-diem costs per attendee or per-event-day costs for comparable services.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risk indicators include potential service quality issues during a high-profile international event, logistical challenges in food sourcing and delivery, and the possibility of cost overruns if event attendance or specific service demands exceed projections. Given the firm-fixed-price structure, the contractor bears much of the cost overrun risk, but scope creep or unforeseen operational issues could still impact the government. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust oversight by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), clear performance standards in the contract, and contingency planning by the contractor for issues like staffing shortages or supply chain disruptions. The limited competition may also present a risk if it leads to suboptimal pricing.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) competition in ensuring fair pricing for this type of specialized event service?

The effectiveness of SAP competition in ensuring fair pricing for specialized event services is variable. SAP is designed for procurements below certain thresholds, often resulting in fewer bidders than full and open competition. While it can expedite the acquisition process, it may limit price discovery. For specialized services like large-scale event catering, the pool of qualified vendors might already be limited. Therefore, while SAP ensures some level of competition, it may not always yield the most competitive pricing achievable through a broader solicitation. The Department of State's internal policies and outreach efforts within the SAP framework would influence the degree of price competitiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for food and beverage services related to Department of State events or international expositions?

Historical spending patterns for food and beverage services related to Department of State events or international expositions are not provided in the current data. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar events, looking at the total dollar amounts, contract types, and durations over several fiscal years. This would help establish a baseline for current spending and identify any trends in cost escalation or changes in procurement strategies. Understanding historical spending can inform future budget allocations and provide context for evaluating the reasonableness of the current $2 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Special Food Services › Food Service Contractors

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM24R0236

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11B WEST HALKIN STREET, LONDON

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,047,630

Exercised Options: $2,047,630

Current Obligation: $2,034,426

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline