DHS awards $4.68M for mission-critical facilities support services to Inspection Experts Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,681,209 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Inspection Experts Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2026-04-28

Contract Duration: 942 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE REQUIREMENT IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT AND DELIVER AGENCY'S MISSION CRITICAL FACILITIES SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.7 million to INSPECTION EXPERTS INC for work described as: THE REQUIREMENT IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT AND DELIVER AGENCY'S MISSION CRITICAL FACILITIES SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential facilities support, directly enabling agency operations. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government. 4. Contract duration of 942 days indicates a medium-term service requirement. 5. The award is for facilities support services, a common government function. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. aligns with agency presence.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.68 million for 942 days (approximately 2.6 years) for facilities support services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for facilities management in the Washington D.C. area suggests this pricing is within expected ranges for comprehensive support. The firm fixed-price structure provides a degree of cost control for the agency, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and managed effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. While the number of bidders is not specified, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to meet the requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lower prices.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Homeland Security, which receives essential facilities support. Services delivered include maintenance, repair, and operational support for agency facilities. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia. Workforce implications may include direct employment by the contractor and potential indirect impacts on government facility staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for mission-critical facilities could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market response.
Award to a single contractor simplifies management and oversight.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services (NAICS 561210) is a broad category encompassing a wide range of services essential for the operation and maintenance of buildings and grounds. This sector is characterized by numerous small, medium, and large businesses. Government spending in this area is consistent, supporting the daily functioning of federal agencies. The market is generally competitive, with many providers capable of delivering these services. This contract fits within the standard government procurement of essential operational support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, both large and small businesses were eligible to compete. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation may be limited unless they are prime contractors or choose to subcontract with the awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's contracting officer and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by linking payment to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Management Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Operations Support
Government Building Maintenance Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues
Risk of scope creep
Contractor financial stability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $4.7 million to INSPECTION EXPERTS INC. THE REQUIREMENT IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT AND DELIVER AGENCY'S MISSION CRITICAL FACILITIES SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INSPECTION EXPERTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2026-04-28.

What is the track record of Inspection Experts Inc. in performing similar federal facilities support contracts?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Inspection Experts Inc.'s track record. Key indicators to examine would include past performance evaluations on similar contracts, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and the size and complexity of previous awards. Understanding their experience with government clients, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security or similar agencies, would provide insight into their capability to meet the mission-critical requirements of this contract. Without specific past performance data, it is difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar facilities support services in the Washington D.C. area?

The awarded value of $4.68 million over approximately 2.6 years for facilities support services in Washington D.C. needs to be benchmarked against prevailing market rates. This would involve analyzing data from commercial facilities management providers in the same geographic region for comparable service scopes. Factors such as the specific services included (e.g., janitorial, HVAC maintenance, security systems, landscaping), the square footage of facilities managed, and the level of service required (e.g., 24/7 operations) would influence the comparison. If the contract price is significantly lower or higher than market benchmarks, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential underpricing/overpricing.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, scope creep leading to cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price), and contractor viability issues. Mitigation strategies would involve robust performance monitoring by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), clear definition and management of the Statement of Work (SOW), and regular contractor performance reviews. The firm fixed-price contract itself is a risk mitigation tool against cost overruns due to contractor inefficiencies. Ensuring the contractor has adequate financial stability and resources is also crucial.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this facilities support requirement?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. For facilities support services, which often involve routine maintenance and predictable operational needs, FFP can provide cost certainty for the government. It incentivizes the contractor to control costs and improve efficiency to maximize profit. However, if the requirements are complex or subject to frequent changes, an FFP contract could lead to disputes or require costly change orders, potentially diminishing value. Careful scope definition is paramount for FFP effectiveness.

What is the historical spending trend for facilities support services by the Department of Homeland Security?

Analyzing historical spending trends for facilities support services by DHS would provide context for this $4.68 million award. This involves examining annual expenditures on similar contracts over the past several fiscal years. Trends might reveal whether DHS spending in this category is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. It would also highlight the typical contract values, durations, and procurement methods (e.g., competition levels) used by the agency for these services. Understanding these patterns can help assess if the current award is consistent with past practices or represents a significant shift.

What are the implications of awarding this contract under 'full and open competition' for the small business ecosystem?

Awarding this contract under 'full and open competition' means that small businesses were eligible to compete directly against larger firms. However, without a specific small business set-aside, there is no guarantee that a small business would win the prime contract. The impact on the small business ecosystem depends on whether small businesses actively participated in the bidding process and whether the prime contractor (regardless of size) intends to utilize small business subcontractors. If Inspection Experts Inc. is a large business, its subcontracting plan (if any) will be critical for small business participation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 808 P ST, LINCOLN, NE, 68508

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,681,859

Exercised Options: $4,681,209

Current Obligation: $4,681,209

Actual Outlays: $3,349,189

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06Q16BQDS113

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline