Coast Guard awards $4M food services contract to Glistening Spaces Inc. for 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,995,649 ($4.0M)

Contractor: Glistening Spaces Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-12-01

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FULL FOOD SERVICES @ USCG SECTOR HOUSTON-GALVESTON, TX

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77034

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.0 million to GLISTENING SPACES INC for work described as: FULL FOOD SERVICES @ USCG SECTOR HOUSTON-GALVESTON, TX Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a 5-year food service agreement. 2. Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty but limits flexibility. 4. Contract duration of 5 years provides stability for service delivery. 5. Service area is specific to USCG Sector Houston-Galveston, TX. 6. No small business set-aside noted, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $4 million over five years for food services at a specific Coast Guard sector appears within a reasonable range for such a duration and scope. However, without detailed breakdowns of services provided (e.g., number of personnel served, types of meals), direct comparisons to similar contracts are difficult. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a predictable cost, but the lack of competitive bidding prevents a robust assessment of whether the price represents the best possible value for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This significantly limits the opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, which can drive down prices and encourage innovation. The rationale for a sole-source award is not provided in the available data, but typically such awards are made when only one vendor can meet specific requirements, or in urgent situations. The lack of competition means the government did not benefit from a price discovery process involving multiple offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, it's harder to ensure the most cost-effective solution was secured.

Public Impact

Personnel at USCG Sector Houston-Galveston, TX, will receive food services. Ensures provision of meals and related services for Coast Guard members. Geographic impact is localized to the Houston-Galveston area of Texas. Supports the operational readiness of the U.S. Coast Guard in its designated sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential value for money.
Lack of detailed service metrics makes performance benchmarking difficult.
Firm Fixed Price contract may not accommodate unforeseen operational changes efficiently.

Positive Signals

Contract provides a stable, long-term food service solution for the sector.
Firm Fixed Price contract offers budget predictability.
Award ensures essential services are maintained for Coast Guard personnel.

Sector Analysis

The food service industry for government contracts is a significant sector, often involving large contracts for military bases, federal agencies, and other public institutions. This contract falls under the broader category of facility support services. While specific market size data for government food services is not readily available, it is a competitive field, though often subject to specific procurement regulations. This contract's value is modest within the context of large federal service contracts, but crucial for the operational support of the U.S. Coast Guard sector.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for them based on the available information. Glistening Spaces Inc. is the prime contractor. Without specific subcontracting plans or set-aside requirements, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is likely minimal, though larger prime contractors may engage small businesses in other capacities not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Food Service Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Contracts
U.S. Coast Guard Operations Support
Base Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Limited transparency on specific service deliverables.
No clear performance metrics provided in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $4.0 million to GLISTENING SPACES INC. FULL FOOD SERVICES @ USCG SECTOR HOUSTON-GALVESTON, TX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLISTENING SPACES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-01. End: 2026-11-30.

What specific services are included under 'FULL FOOD SERVICES' for this contract?

The term 'FULL FOOD SERVICES' typically encompasses a range of activities necessary for providing meals and maintaining food service operations. This can include menu planning, food procurement, preparation, cooking, serving, and cleanup. It may also involve managing dining facilities, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, inventory management, and waste disposal. For this specific contract with Glistening Spaces Inc. and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, the exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). Without access to the SOW, the precise deliverables remain unspecified, making a granular assessment of value challenging.

How does the $4 million contract value compare to similar food service contracts for federal agencies?

Comparing the $4 million contract value for 5 years of food services requires context regarding the number of personnel served, the type of meals provided (e.g., standard, specialized dietary), and the geographic location's cost of living. A rough annual average of $800,000 ($4M / 5 years) for a sector-level facility suggests a significant operation. For instance, larger military installations or federal prisons often have food service contracts in the tens or hundreds of millions annually. However, for a single sector command, this value could be considered substantial. Benchmarking against other Coast Guard sector contracts or similar-sized federal facilities in the region would provide a more accurate comparison, but such specific data is not readily available.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for food services?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pricing. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the selected contractor may not offer the most cost-effective solution, potentially leading to higher prices for taxpayers. Additionally, sole-source awards can reduce the incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide exceptional service, as there is no immediate threat of losing the business to a competitor. There's also a risk that the government may not have fully explored all available market options or that the justification for the sole-source award might be flawed, leading to inefficient use of funds.

What is the track record of Glistening Spaces Inc. in performing federal food service contracts?

Information regarding Glistening Spaces Inc.'s specific track record in performing federal food service contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance history, one would need to examine past federal contract awards to this company, including contract values, durations, agencies served, and any performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires (PPQs) associated with those contracts. A review of the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other government contract databases would be necessary to identify previous awards and assess their success in fulfilling similar service requirements.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type impact cost control and flexibility for this food service contract?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type establishes a ceiling price that the contractor must not exceed, making it advantageous for cost control from the government's perspective. The contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This provides budget certainty for the U.S. Coast Guard. However, FFP contracts can limit flexibility. If the scope of services needs to change significantly due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., increased personnel, new dietary requirements), modifications to the contract may be necessary, potentially involving negotiation and adjustments to the price. For dynamic food service needs, this rigidity could be a drawback compared to cost-reimbursement or time-and-materials contracts.

What are the historical spending patterns for food services at USCG Sector Houston-Galveston?

The provided data only includes details for the current contract awarded in late 2021. To understand historical spending patterns for food services at USCG Sector Houston-Galveston, one would need to access historical contract data for this specific location or unit. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for previous food service contracts awarded to this sector, noting their values, durations, and contractors. Analyzing this historical data would reveal trends in spending, identify potential increases or decreases in costs over time, and highlight any changes in contracting strategies (e.g., shifts between competitive and sole-source awards).

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Special Food Services › Food Service Contractors

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6910 HOCKLEY GARDEN LANE, HOUSTON, TX, 77049

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,127,350

Exercised Options: $4,127,350

Current Obligation: $3,995,649

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline