Treasury's Mint awards $400K for dry cleaning and laundry services over 3 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,000 ($40.0K)

Contractor: BT Properties Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 363 days

Daily Burn Rate: $110/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DRY CLEANING, LAUNDRY, AND ALTERATIONS SERVICES FOR THE PLANT ENGINEERING DIVISION.

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80210

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $40,000 to BT PROPERTIES INC for work described as: DRY CLEANING, LAUNDRY, AND ALTERATIONS SERVICES FOR THE PLANT ENGINEERING DIVISION. Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for the services provided, considering the duration and scope. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially efficient price discovery process for these essential services. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This contract supports the operational needs of the U.S. Mint's Plant Engineering Division. 5. The services are categorized under 'Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated)'.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $400,000 over approximately three years for dry cleaning and laundry services for the U.S. Mint's Plant Engineering Division seems to be within a reasonable range for such specialized support. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for facility maintenance and operational support services indicates that pricing for these types of services can vary significantly based on location, volume, and specific requirements. Without more granular data on the exact volume and types of items to be cleaned, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult, but the overall award amount does not immediately suggest overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating that it was likely advertised broadly to encourage a competitive bidding process. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the use of SAP generally aims to maximize competition for contracts below certain dollar thresholds. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to submit proposals, which should have led to a fair market price being established.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the personnel within the U.S. Mint's Plant Engineering Division, ensuring their uniforms and operational attire are maintained. The services delivered include professional dry cleaning, laundry, and potentially minor alterations for specialized work attire. The geographic impact is localized to the facility where the U.S. Mint's Plant Engineering Division operates, likely in Colorado. This contract supports a service industry vendor, potentially employing staff for the cleaning and alteration services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if the contractor experiences operational issues.
Dependence on a single contractor for essential operational support.
Ensuring consistent quality of cleaning and alteration services over the contract period.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process likely secured favorable pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides budget certainty.
Clear service period (3 years) allows for consistent support.
Contract supports essential operational functions of a key government facility.

Sector Analysis

The market for dry cleaning, laundry, and alteration services is a mature and competitive sector. Government contracts for these services are typically awarded to businesses that can meet specific quality, volume, and turnaround time requirements. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 812320, 'Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated),' encompasses businesses providing these specialized services. While the overall dollar amount for this specific contract is modest, it represents a recurring need for government facilities that require professional garment care for their employees and operational uniforms.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it provide information on subcontracting plans. However, given the nature of the services and the contract value, it is plausible that small businesses could compete and win such awards. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation goals were met or if subcontracting opportunities were created for smaller enterprises within the dry cleaning and laundry sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the U.S. Mint's contracting officers and program managers within the Plant Engineering Division. They are responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award simplifies financial oversight by providing budget certainty. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics might be internal.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for laundry and dry cleaning services
Department of Defense (DoD) contracts for uniform cleaning
Facility support services contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for quality degradation if contractor underbids.
Dependence on contractor's operational stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $40,000 to BT PROPERTIES INC. DRY CLEANING, LAUNDRY, AND ALTERATIONS SERVICES FOR THE PLANT ENGINEERING DIVISION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BT PROPERTIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (United States Mint).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $40,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for dry cleaning and laundry services at the U.S. Mint?

Analyzing historical spending for dry cleaning and laundry services at the U.S. Mint would provide crucial context for evaluating the current $400,000 award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of expenditure. Past contracts, their values, durations, and the number of bidders would reveal trends in pricing and competition. For instance, if previous contracts were significantly lower in value, it might suggest increased service needs or inflation. Conversely, a consistent spending level could indicate stable operational requirements. Understanding this history is key to assessing whether the current award represents good value for money and aligns with the Mint's long-term operational budget for such services.

How does the per-unit cost of cleaning compare to industry benchmarks for similar government facilities?

A detailed comparison of the per-unit cost for specific items (e.g., shirts, trousers, specialized uniforms) against industry benchmarks is essential for a thorough value assessment. While the total contract value provides a high-level view, understanding the cost per item cleaned offers granular insight into pricing efficiency. Government facilities often have specific requirements for fabric care and turnaround times, which can influence costs. Benchmarking against rates charged to other federal agencies or even large commercial clients with similar demands would reveal if the U.S. Mint is receiving competitive pricing. If specific per-unit data is unavailable, comparing the overall contract value against the estimated volume of services needed, based on the number of personnel and frequency of cleaning, can offer a proxy for value assessment.

What is the track record of BT PROPERTIES INC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for similar services?

Evaluating the track record of BT PROPERTIES INC is critical for assessing performance risk and reliability. Information on past performance, including contract history, client satisfaction ratings, and any instances of contract disputes or terminations, would provide valuable insights. Specifically, looking at previous awards for dry cleaning, laundry, or facility support services to government entities would be most relevant. A history of successful contract completion, timely delivery, and adherence to quality standards would indicate a lower performance risk. Conversely, any negative performance indicators would warrant closer scrutiny and potentially necessitate more robust oversight mechanisms to ensure the U.S. Mint's needs are met effectively throughout the contract duration.

What are the specific quality standards and performance metrics outlined in the contract for dry cleaning and laundry services?

The specific quality standards and performance metrics are crucial for ensuring the effectiveness and value of the dry cleaning and laundry services. These metrics typically include turnaround times, acceptable levels of cleanliness, stain removal success rates, and standards for garment care to prevent damage. The contract should clearly define how performance will be measured and what constitutes acceptable service delivery. Without these defined metrics, it is challenging to objectively assess whether the contractor is meeting expectations and providing the required level of service. Understanding these standards allows for effective monitoring and accountability, ensuring taxpayer funds are used for services that meet the U.S. Mint's operational requirements.

Are there any potential risks associated with the firm-fixed-price contract type for these services?

While firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally preferred for their budget certainty, there can be risks associated with them, particularly for service-based contracts. For dry cleaning and laundry, the primary risk is that the contractor may cut corners on quality to maintain profitability if the fixed price is too low or if their costs increase unexpectedly. Conversely, if the price was set too high, the government may be overpaying. The effectiveness of the FFP structure here depends heavily on the accuracy of the initial cost estimate and the clarity of the performance standards. Robust oversight is still necessary to ensure quality is maintained despite the fixed price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Drycleaning and Laundry Services › Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated)

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2111 S DOWNING ST, DENVER, CO, 80210

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $200,000

Exercised Options: $40,000

Current Obligation: $40,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline