Department of State awards $46.3M janitorial services contract to Puissance Verte, a sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,341 ($46.3K)

Contractor: Puissance Verte

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-01

Contract Duration: 28 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: JANITORIAL / CLEANING SERVICES

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $46,341.31 to PUISSANCE VERTE for work described as: JANITORIAL / CLEANING SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to the sole-source nature of the award. 2. Competition dynamics are absent, as this was a sole-source purchase order. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a short performance period but a lack of competitive bidding. 4. Performance context is limited to janitorial services for an unspecified facility. 5. Sector positioning is within the facilities support services industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $46.3 million for janitorial services over a 28-day period appears high when considered on a daily basis. Without more information on the scope of services, facility size, and location, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the lack of competition suggests potential for overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, meaning it was not competed. The Department of State did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This lack of competition limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential cleaning services due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the facilities managed by the Department of State, which will receive cleaning services. The services delivered are janitorial and cleaning, essential for maintaining operational environments. The geographic impact is localized to the facility or facilities where the services are performed. Workforce implications include the creation of jobs for cleaning staff employed by Puissance Verte.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Short contract duration (28 days) may indicate an urgent need or a temporary solution, raising questions about long-term planning.
Lack of detailed service scope makes it difficult to benchmark value and ensure all necessary tasks are covered.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a single vendor, potentially streamlining service delivery if that vendor is specialized.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government once the price is agreed upon.

Sector Analysis

The facilities support services sector encompasses a wide range of services, including cleaning, maintenance, and security. Janitorial services are a fundamental component of this sector, crucial for the upkeep of government buildings and installations. The market size for government janitorial contracts is substantial, with numerous opportunities for both large and small businesses. This specific contract, while large in dollar value, represents a short-term need within this broader industry.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the available data. The award to a single entity without a small business set-aside suggests a focus on a specific capability or an urgent need that bypassed standard small business engagement protocols.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and potentially its Office of Inspector General. However, the sole-source nature and short duration may limit the depth of ongoing performance oversight compared to a longer-term, competed contract. Transparency is limited due to the lack of public competition details.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule contracts for cleaning and facility maintenance
Department of Defense janitorial and custodial services contracts
Other agency-specific facility support service agreements

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
High contract value for short duration
Lack of detailed scope of work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $46,341.31 to PUISSANCE VERTE. JANITORIAL / CLEANING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PUISSANCE VERTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $46,341.31.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-01.

What is the specific facility or facilities this janitorial contract is intended to serve, and what is the scope of services required?

The provided data does not specify the exact facility or facilities that Puissance Verte will be servicing under this $46.3 million purchase order. Similarly, the detailed scope of janitorial services required is not outlined. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to assess the appropriateness of the contract value and the vendor's qualifications for the tasks. Typically, such details would be included in the contract's statement of work (SOW), which would specify cleaning frequencies, areas to be covered (e.g., offices, restrooms, common areas), types of cleaning required (e.g., routine, deep cleaning), and any specialized services like floor care or window washing. Without this information, it's impossible to determine if the price is competitive or if the services adequately meet the Department of State's needs.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data indicates this contract was 'NOT COMPETED' and awarded as a sole-source purchase order. Agencies typically sole-source contracts when only one vendor is capable of meeting the requirement, or in cases of urgent and compelling need where competition is not feasible. For janitorial services, a sole-source award is unusual unless there are highly specific circumstances, such as the need to service unique equipment requiring specialized knowledge held by only one vendor, or an immediate, unforeseen situation requiring immediate service where a full competition process would cause unacceptable delays. The Department of State would need to provide justification for this sole-source determination, often documented in a Justification and Approval (J&A) document, to explain why full and open competition was not practicable.

What is the historical spending pattern for janitorial services at the Department of State, and how does this award compare?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for janitorial services at the Department of State. To assess how this $46.3 million award compares, one would need to analyze past contracts for similar services, considering factors like contract duration, scope, facility size, and inflation. A 28-day contract duration for such a substantial amount suggests either an extremely high-demand, intensive cleaning operation or potentially a placeholder for a larger, ongoing need that has not yet been fully defined or competed. Without historical context, it is difficult to determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or anomaly in the Department's spending on janitorial services.

What is the track record of Puissance Verte in performing government contracts, particularly for janitorial services?

The provided data does not offer information on the track record of Puissance Verte. To assess their performance history, one would typically look at past federal contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. For a sole-source award, especially one of this magnitude, the agency would ideally have prior positive experience with the contractor or have conducted thorough due diligence to ensure capability and reliability. Without access to this performance data, it is challenging to evaluate the risk associated with awarding this significant contract to Puissance Verte.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for janitorial services, especially given the contract value?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for janitorial services, particularly at $46.3 million, is the lack of price competition. This can lead to inflated costs for the government, as there is no market pressure to drive down prices. Other risks include potential complacency from the contractor, as they face no threat of losing future business to competitors. Furthermore, without a competitive process, there's a reduced opportunity to discover innovative solutions or more cost-effective service delivery methods that other vendors might offer. Ensuring adequate performance standards and oversight becomes even more critical when competition is absent to mitigate these risks.

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: 321, BD OUED DAOURA LOT CHAHDIA EL OULFA, CASABLANCA

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,341

Exercised Options: $46,341

Current Obligation: $46,341

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline