NARA's $2.79M facilities management contract for LBJ Library awarded to University of Texas at Austin without competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,789,353 ($2.8M)

Contractor: University of Texas AT Austin

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS FIRM-FIXED PRICE CONTRACT FOR CONSOLIDATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES (CFM) AT THE LYNDON B. JOHNSON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 PLUS 4 OPTION YEARS.

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78705

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $2.8 million to UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN for work described as: THIS IS FIRM-FIXED PRICE CONTRACT FOR CONSOLIDATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES (CFM) AT THE LYNDON B. JOHNSON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 PLUS 4 OPTION YEARS. Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.79 million over its potential 5-year term represents a significant investment in maintaining a key historical site. 2. Awarded to the University of Texas at Austin, this contract's non-competitive nature warrants scrutiny regarding potential price efficiencies. 3. The primary service category is Security Guards and Patrol Services, indicating a focus on physical security and access control. 4. The contract duration of approximately two years (initial term) with four one-year options suggests a need for stable, long-term facility management. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to provide cost certainty for the National Archives and Records Administration. 6. The absence of competition raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible value for these essential services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and specific location. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides some cost predictability. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is optimal or if alternative, more cost-effective solutions were overlooked. The total potential value of approximately $2.79 million over five years for facilities management, including security, at a presidential library requires careful justification, especially when compared to similar facilities or government buildings of comparable size and security needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. The rationale for this approach is not provided in the data, but it typically suggests that only one source was deemed capable of meeting the requirement, or that a waiver for full and open competition was granted. The lack of multiple bidders means there was no direct price comparison or incentive for vendors to offer their most competitive rates, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure, as the government did not explore potentially lower bids from other qualified vendors.

Public Impact

The Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum benefits from consistent and reliable facilities management and security services. The University of Texas at Austin, as the contractor, receives federal funding to support its operations and potentially its staff. The public gains continued access to a preserved historical site, ensuring the preservation of presidential records and public engagement. The contract supports personnel involved in security, maintenance, and general facility operations at the library.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for new or smaller businesses to enter the federal contracting space.
The specific nature of presidential library facilities management might present unique challenges that were not fully explored through competition.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Awarding to a known entity like the University of Texas at Austin could imply a level of trust and established working relationship.
The contract ensures the continued operation and security of a significant national historical asset.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the facilities management and security services sector, which is a critical component of government operations and infrastructure maintenance. Presidential libraries, like the LBJ Library, require specialized care and security. While specific market size data for presidential library facilities management is not readily available, the broader government contracting market for security guards and patrol services is substantial. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) manages numerous historical sites, and contracts for their upkeep are common. Benchmarking against similar contracts for historical sites or federal buildings of comparable size and security requirements would be necessary for a full value assessment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and there is no information regarding small business subcontracting (sb: false). As a sole-source award to a large institution like the University of Texas at Austin, it is unlikely that small businesses will be directly involved as prime contractors. Opportunities for small businesses would primarily exist if the University of Texas at Austin chooses to subcontract portions of the work, which is not specified in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). As a federal agency, NARA is subject to various oversight mechanisms, including internal audits, program reviews, and potentially reviews by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the NARA Office of Inspector General (OIG). Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the performance metrics outlined in the contract would be key to assessing accountability. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial accountability by capping the government's liability.

Related Government Programs

National Archives and Records Administration Facilities Management
Presidential Library Operations
Federal Security Guard Services
University as Federal Contractor

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $2.8 million to UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. THIS IS FIRM-FIXED PRICE CONTRACT FOR CONSOLIDATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES (CFM) AT THE LYNDON B. JOHNSON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 PLUS 4 OPTION YEARS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for facilities management at the LBJ Presidential Library?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for facilities management at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library. This specific contract, valued at approximately $2.79 million over five years, is for the period October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2029 (including option years). To understand historical spending, one would need access to previous contract awards for similar services at this location, including their values, durations, and whether they were competed or sole-sourced. Analyzing past expenditures would help determine if the current contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment and whether previous contracts offered better value through competition.

How does the per-unit cost of security services compare to similar federal contracts?

The provided data does not offer sufficient detail to calculate a meaningful per-unit cost for security services. The contract covers consolidated facilities management, with security guards and patrol services being a component. Without specific line items detailing the number of security personnel, hours worked, or specific security equipment costs, a direct comparison to similar federal contracts is not feasible. Furthermore, the contract's sole-source nature makes direct benchmarking against competitively bid contracts difficult, as competitive pricing dynamics are absent. A thorough analysis would require breaking down the total contract value into its constituent services and comparing those components to market rates or other government contracts for similar security functions.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. However, the specific justification for this determination is not included. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs, or when there is a compelling urgency, or when specific national security concerns exist. For this contract, potential justifications could include the unique requirements of managing a presidential library, a pre-existing relationship with the University of Texas at Austin that makes them uniquely qualified, or a lack of other entities with the necessary expertise and security clearances. Without the official justification document, the rationale remains speculative.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract?

The provided data summary does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this facilities management contract. While the contract type is 'FIRM FIXED PRICE,' which implies a defined scope of work and deliverables, the details of performance expectations, quality standards, and remedies for non-performance are not specified. Typically, such contracts would outline metrics related to response times for maintenance issues, security incident response, facility cleanliness, preventative maintenance completion rates, and energy efficiency targets. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) would have internal requirements and likely include these in the full contract document to ensure the effective management and security of the LBJ Presidential Library.

What is the track record of the University of Texas at Austin as a federal contractor for similar services?

The provided data identifies the University of Texas at Austin (co: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN) as the contractor for this facilities management services contract. While this indicates they are a federal contractor, the data does not provide details on their broader track record, past performance evaluations, or experience with similar facilities management or security contracts for federal agencies or historical sites. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for other contracts awarded to the university, review past performance reviews, and examine any history of contract disputes or awards. Their experience managing the LBJ Presidential Library itself, if they have done so previously, would be a key indicator.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 110 INNER CAMPUS DR, AUSTIN, TX, 78712

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,638,330

Exercised Options: $4,079,243

Current Obligation: $2,789,353

Actual Outlays: $2,453,869

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline