DOT awards $183K landscaping contract to Blades of Grass Landscaping LLC for FAA facility in Ohio

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $183,152 ($183.2K)

Contractor: Blades of Grass Landscaping LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-03-12

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,114 days

Daily Burn Rate: $164/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LANDSCAPING SERVICES FOR (ZOB) AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER AT OBERLIN, OHIO 44074

Place of Performance

Location: OBERLIN, LORAIN County, OHIO, 44074

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $183,151.51 to BLADES OF GRASS LANDSCAPING LLC for work described as: LANDSCAPING SERVICES FOR (ZOB) AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER AT OBERLIN, OHIO 44074 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of services and duration. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, indicating clear cost expectations. 4. Performance is for landscaping services at an Air Route Traffic Control Center. 5. The contract duration is over three years, providing long-term service stability. 6. The awardee is a single entity, Blades of Grass Landscaping LLC.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $183,151.51 over approximately three years for landscaping services at a federal facility is within a reasonable range. Benchmarking against similar landscaping contracts for federal facilities of comparable size and scope would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government. Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., acreage, frequency of service, specific tasks), a definitive comparison is challenging, but the overall value appears fair.

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,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple bids were likely considered. The presence of 8 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this landscaping service requirement. This competitive environment generally leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging quality service delivery from multiple potential providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), ensuring the grounds of the Oberlin, Ohio Air Route Traffic Control Center are maintained. Services include essential landscaping and grounds maintenance, contributing to the facility's upkeep and professional appearance. The geographic impact is localized to Oberlin, Ohio, and the surrounding area. The contract supports local employment through the awarded contractor, Blades of Grass Landscaping LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if specific landscaping tasks are not clearly defined in the contract.
Dependence on a single contractor for a multi-year period could pose risks if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Multiple bids received indicate a competitive process.
Long contract duration suggests a stable service provision plan.

Sector Analysis

The landscaping services sector is a mature industry with numerous providers, ranging from small local businesses to large national corporations. Federal contracts for landscaping are common across various agencies and facilities, supporting infrastructure maintenance and aesthetic upkeep. The market size for federal landscaping contracts is substantial, though specific figures vary by region and agency. This contract fits within the broader category of facility support services, a significant area of federal procurement.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss' being false. The awardee, Blades of Grass Landscaping LLC, is likely a small business based on its name and the contract value, but without further information, its size status is unconfirmed. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for review of basic contract details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Facility Maintenance
General Services Administration Grounds Maintenance Contracts
Department of Defense Landscaping Services
Public Building Service Groundskeeping Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks experience with federal facility standards.
Risk associated with multi-year contract if scope is not precisely defined.
Dependence on a single awardee for essential grounds maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $183,151.51 to BLADES OF GRASS LANDSCAPING LLC. LANDSCAPING SERVICES FOR (ZOB) AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER AT OBERLIN, OHIO 44074

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLADES OF GRASS LANDSCAPING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $183,151.51.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-12. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific scope of work included in this landscaping contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'LANDSCAPING SERVICES FOR (ZOB) AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER AT OBERLIN, OHIO 44074'. However, the specific tasks, such as mowing, trimming, planting, irrigation maintenance, snow removal (if applicable), or pest control, are not detailed in the summary data. A comprehensive understanding of the scope would require reviewing the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). This detail is crucial for accurately benchmarking the price against industry standards and assessing the overall value for money.

How does the awarded price compare to similar landscaping contracts for FAA facilities?

Benchmarking this $183,151.51 contract against similar landscaping services for FAA facilities requires access to a broader dataset of federal contracts. Factors such as facility size, geographic location (which influences labor and material costs), specific service requirements (e.g., frequency, scope of horticultural work), and contract duration significantly impact pricing. Given the 3-year term and the firm fixed-price nature, the price appears reasonable on its face, but a detailed comparison would necessitate analyzing contracts with comparable SOWs and locations. The presence of 8 bids suggests the price was competitive within the market for this specific requirement.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for landscaping services typically focus on aspects like timeliness of service delivery (e.g., completion of mowing by a certain date), quality of work (e.g., adherence to aesthetic standards, proper plant care), safety compliance, and responsiveness to issues. While not explicitly stated in the summary data, these KPIs would be detailed in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). The FAA contracting officer and facility managers would monitor these KPIs to ensure the contractor, Blades of Grass Landscaping LLC, meets the required standards throughout the contract period.

What is the track record of Blades of Grass Landscaping LLC with federal contracts?

The provided data identifies Blades of Grass Landscaping LLC as the awardee but does not offer details on their past performance history with federal contracts. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their award history, past performance evaluations (if available in federal databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A positive track record would increase confidence in their ability to successfully execute this current contract.

What is the historical spending trend for landscaping services at the ZOB Air Route Traffic Control Center?

The provided data pertains to a single, new definitive contract awarded in March 2024 with an end date of March 2027. It does not offer historical spending information for landscaping services at the ZOB Air Route Traffic Control Center. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to query federal procurement databases for previous contracts awarded for similar services at this specific facility or for the FAA in the Ohio region. Analyzing past spending would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and potentially the number of bidders over time.

Are there any specific environmental considerations or sustainability requirements in this contract?

The summary data does not specify any environmental considerations or sustainability requirements for this landscaping contract. Federal agencies are increasingly incorporating such clauses into contracts, potentially including requirements for integrated pest management, water conservation measures, use of native plants, or specific waste disposal protocols. Without explicit mention, it's assumed the scope focuses on standard grounds maintenance. Further review of the full contract documentation would be necessary to confirm the presence or absence of sustainability mandates.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 697DCK-24-R-00193

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15739 HALLAUER RD, OBERLIN, OH, 44074

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $294,112

Exercised Options: $190,493

Current Obligation: $183,152

Actual Outlays: $183,152

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline