NIH awards $10.4M for facility management, with EBL Engineers, LLC securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,443,530 ($10.4M)

Contractor: EBL Engineers, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2019-01-31

End Date: 2025-02-21

Contract Duration: 2,213 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: C100847 FACILITY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICESCOR: ROZARIO (TONY) FRANCISACOR: VIJAY NATHAN

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.4 million to EBL ENGINEERS, LLC for work described as: C100847 FACILITY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICESCOR: ROZARIO (TONY) FRANCISACOR: VIJAY NATHAN Key points: 1. Contract value of $10.4M over its period of performance. 2. Full and open competition was utilized for this award. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order. 4. Performance is located in Maryland. 5. The contract duration is approximately 2213 days. 6. The award was made to EBL ENGINEERS, LLC.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.4M for facility management services over nearly six years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for facility support at federal research institutions would be necessary to determine true value for money. Without specific deliverables or scope details, a precise comparison is difficult, but the duration and total value indicate a significant commitment. The firm-fixed-price structure implies that cost overruns are primarily the contractor's responsibility, which can be a positive indicator if the scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The agency sought proposals from the broadest possible range of qualified contractors, suggesting an effort to maximize market participation.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and improving the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from facility management support services. Services are delivered to support the operational needs of NIH facilities. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland. The contract supports jobs within the facility management sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs makes it difficult to assess contractor performance objectively.
The broad scope of 'facility management support services' could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single delivery order for a significant duration may limit flexibility in adapting to changing needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Long-term duration provides stability for service delivery and planning.

Sector Analysis

Facility management services are a critical component of maintaining government infrastructure, encompassing a wide range of activities from maintenance and repair to custodial services and groundskeeping. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services across various agencies and facilities. This contract with NIH falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, which is a substantial market. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be derived from historical data on similar contracts awarded by agencies like GSA or other large research institutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. However, the prime contractor, EBL ENGINEERS, LLC, may still engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own business practices and the specific needs of the contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and the Administrative Contracting Officer (ACOR) at the National Institutes of Health. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by capping costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

NIH Facilities Management Contracts
Federal Building Operations and Maintenance
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to broad service description.
Lack of publicly available performance metrics.
Need for detailed benchmarking to confirm value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.4 million to EBL ENGINEERS, LLC. C100847 FACILITY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICESCOR: ROZARIO (TONY) FRANCISACOR: VIJAY NATHAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EBL ENGINEERS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-01-31. End: 2025-02-21.

What is the specific scope of work covered under these facility management support services?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for these facility management support services. Generally, such contracts can encompass a wide array of services including, but not limited to, building maintenance, repairs (HVAC, electrical, plumbing), janitorial services, groundskeeping, pest control, security system maintenance, and minor renovations. The exact deliverables and service level agreements (SLAs) would be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Without access to these documents, a precise understanding of the services rendered is not possible. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) suggests a comprehensive and ongoing set of support activities rather than short-term, project-specific tasks.

How does the awarded price of $10.4 million compare to similar facility management contracts at other federal research institutions?

A direct comparison of the $10.4 million award to similar contracts at other federal research institutions requires access to a broader dataset of facility management contracts, including their scope, duration, location, and specific services. The annual value of this contract is approximately $1.7 million ($10.4M / 6 years). This figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts of comparable size and complexity. Factors such as the square footage of facilities managed, the types of specialized equipment requiring maintenance, labor costs in the specific geographic region (Maryland), and the inclusion of specific services (e.g., advanced security, laboratory support) would significantly influence pricing. Without these comparative details, it's challenging to definitively state whether this award represents excellent, fair, or questionable value for money.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the performance of EBL ENGINEERS, LLC under this contract?

The provided summary data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate EBL ENGINEERS, LLC's performance. In facility management contracts, common KPIs often include response times for service requests, completion rates for preventive maintenance tasks, building system uptime (e.g., HVAC, electrical), customer satisfaction scores from facility occupants, adherence to safety protocols, and energy efficiency targets. The effectiveness of the contractor is typically assessed against these predefined metrics, often detailed in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). The COR would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and reporting on the contractor's performance throughout the contract period.

What is the track record of EBL ENGINEERS, LLC in performing federal facility management contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of EBL ENGINEERS, LLC in performing federal facility management contracts is not detailed in the provided summary data. To assess their track record, one would typically examine their past performance on similar government contracts, looking at factors such as successful completion of previous awards, any history of contract disputes or terminations, client feedback, and their demonstrated capability in managing complex facility operations. Databases like the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) can provide insights into past performance and any reported issues. Without this specific historical data, it is difficult to gauge their established performance level in this domain.

What is the potential impact of the firm-fixed-price contract type on cost control and contractor risk?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type places the primary responsibility for cost control on the contractor, EBL ENGINEERS, LLC. This means that the contractor agrees to a set price for the defined scope of work, and any costs incurred above that price are absorbed by the contractor. Conversely, if the contractor can complete the work for less than the agreed-upon price, they retain the profit. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently and effectively. For the government, it provides cost certainty, as the total price is fixed unless the contract scope is formally modified. However, it also means the government may not directly benefit from cost savings achieved by the contractor. The risk of cost overruns is significantly higher for the contractor compared to cost-reimbursement contracts.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Other Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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: 8005 HARFORD RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21234

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,714,973

Exercised Options: $10,443,530

Current Obligation: $10,443,530

Actual Outlays: $6,302,681

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F5834R

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline