Puerto Rico FAA contract for window and shade cleaning awarded to Damiano Cataldi Maintenance Services, Inc. for $1.3M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,996 ($13.0K)

Contractor: Damiano Cataldi Maintenance Services, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-09-17

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 378 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WINDOW AND CAB SHADE CLEANING AT PUERTO RICO SIG/SJU ATCT

Place of Performance

Location: CAROLINA, CAROLINA County, PUERTO RICO, 00979

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $12,996 to DAMIANO CATALDI MAINTENANCE SERVICES, INC for work described as: WINDOW AND CAB SHADE CLEANING AT PUERTO RICO SIG/SJU ATCT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for janitorial services in Puerto Rico. 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 period spans over a year, allowing for consistent service delivery. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, potentially limiting direct opportunities for smaller local firms. 6. Services are specific to window and shade cleaning at a critical aviation facility.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.3 million for a 378-day period for window and shade cleaning services at the SJU ATCT appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized janitorial services in a major airport environment. Benchmarking against similar contracts for facility maintenance at FAA facilities or other federal airports would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specialized nature of cleaning at an air traffic control tower, the price is not immediately indicative of overpayment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' While the 'exclusion of sources' part is unusual and warrants further investigation, the 'full and open competition' aspect suggests that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of two bids indicates some level of competition, but the exact number of solicitations and proposals received would offer a clearer picture of the competitive landscape and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a broad range of offers. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause needs clarification to ensure no potential cost savings were foregone.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the personnel operating at the San Juan (SJU) Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). The contract ensures the cleanliness and maintenance of windows and shades within the ATCT, contributing to operational efficiency and potentially the well-being of staff. The geographic impact is localized to Puerto Rico, specifically the SJU airport. The contract supports the janitorial services workforce in Puerto Rico, providing employment opportunities for individuals employed by Damiano Cataldi Maintenance Services, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type requires clarification to understand if it limited the pool of potential bidders and potentially impacted price.
The specific nature of 'window and shade cleaning' might be a niche service, and understanding the market for such specialized cleaning is important for assessing value.
The contract duration of over a year could lead to price escalation if not managed carefully, although it's a firm fixed price.

Positive Signals

The use of 'full and open competition' generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing.
The contract is a firm fixed price, providing cost certainty for the government.
The award is to a specific company, Damiano Cataldi Maintenance Services, Inc., suggesting they met the requirements.

Sector Analysis

The janitorial services sector is a significant part of the facilities management industry. Within the federal government, spending on such services is substantial and spread across various agencies and locations. This contract, focused on specialized cleaning at an air traffic control facility, represents a small but critical component of the FAA's operational support spending. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for building maintenance and cleaning services at other federal facilities or airports, considering factors like facility size, location, and service scope.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'ss: false' and 'sb: false'. This means the competition was open to all eligible contractors, regardless of size. While this ensures a broad competitive field, it may limit direct contracting opportunities for small businesses specializing in janitorial services unless they are subcontractors. The implications for the small business ecosystem depend on whether Damiano Cataldi Maintenance Services, Inc. utilizes small businesses for subcontracting, which is not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), likely through a contracting officer's representative (COR) responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price structure, which holds the contractor responsible for delivering services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but further details on performance reviews or specific oversight mechanisms would require access to internal FAA documentation or Inspector General reports.

Related Government Programs

FAA Facility Maintenance Contracts
Airport Operations Support Services
Federal Janitorial Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for Maintenance

Risk Flags

Unusual competition clause ('exclusion of sources')
Lack of detailed performance history for contractor
Limited data for market rate benchmarking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $12,996 to DAMIANO CATALDI MAINTENANCE SERVICES, INC. WINDOW AND CAB SHADE CLEANING AT PUERTO RICO SIG/SJU ATCT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DAMIANO CATALDI MAINTENANCE SERVICES, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12,996.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-17. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Damiano Cataldi Maintenance Services, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the FAA?

Information regarding the specific track record of Damiano Cataldi Maintenance Services, Inc. with federal contracts, especially with the FAA, is not provided in the data. A thorough assessment would require searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG for past performance history, including details on previous contracts, performance ratings, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Understanding their experience with similar facilities or services would be crucial for evaluating their capability to fulfill this current contract effectively and reliably.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar specialized cleaning services in Puerto Rico?

The provided data does not include specific market rate benchmarks for specialized window and shade cleaning services at air traffic control towers in Puerto Rico. To assess value for money, a comparison would be needed with industry pricing data, potentially obtained from market research reports, cost analysis of similar past contracts (if available), or by consulting with industry experts. Factors such as the unique requirements of an ATCT environment (e.g., security, access protocols, specific cleaning agents) could influence pricing compared to standard commercial cleaning.

What are the specific risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks include service quality issues, contractor non-performance, or unforeseen cost increases if the scope of work expands beyond initial expectations (though less likely with a firm fixed price). Mitigation strategies typically involve robust performance monitoring by the FAA's COR, clear performance standards outlined in the contract, and the contractor's own quality control processes. The 'exclusion of sources' aspect also presents a risk if it unduly limited competition, potentially leading to a suboptimal price. Further risk assessment would depend on the contractor's operational capacity and the specific environmental challenges at the SJU ATCT.

What is the historical spending pattern for window and shade cleaning services at the SJU ATCT or similar FAA facilities?

The provided data does not contain historical spending patterns for this specific service at the SJU ATCT or comparable FAA facilities. Analyzing past spending would involve reviewing procurement records over several fiscal years to identify trends in contract values, awardees, and competition levels. Understanding this history would help determine if the current contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these services and whether previous contracts were competitively bid or sole-sourced.

What does the 'exclusion of sources' clause signify in the context of this 'full and open competition' award?

The 'exclusion of sources' clause, when paired with 'full and open competition,' is unusual and requires careful interpretation. Typically, 'full and open competition' implies soliciting offers from all responsible sources without restriction. The 'exclusion of sources' suggests that, despite the broad solicitation, certain potential sources were intentionally excluded. This could be due to specific technical requirements, past performance issues with certain contractors, or other documented justifications. Understanding the rationale behind this exclusion is critical to ensure that the competition was indeed fair and that the government did not forgo potentially better offers or prices.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 697DCK-25-R-00242

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1461 CALLE MARLIN, CAROLINA, PR, 00983

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $133,270

Exercised Options: $25,992

Current Obligation: $12,996

Actual Outlays: $3,249

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline