USDA's $21.1M contract for mobile food services awarded to Stewart's Firefighter Food Catering, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,122,326 ($21.1M)

Contractor: Stewart's Firefighter Food Catering, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2005-06-15

End Date: 2009-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,660 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 25

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL MOBILE FOOD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: LAKEVIEW, LAKE County, OREGON, 97630

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $21.1 million to STEWART'S FIREFIGHTER FOOD CATERING, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL MOBILE FOOD SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $21.1 million over approximately 4.5 years suggests a significant investment in mobile food services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 3. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure aims to manage cost fluctuations while ensuring service continuity. 4. The duration of 1660 days (approx. 4.5 years) provides a stable, long-term service agreement. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 722320 points to the specific industry of caterers. 6. The contract's geographic scope is Oregon, suggesting a regional focus for these food services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $21.1 million over 1660 days averages to approximately $12,724 per day. Without specific details on the volume of meals or services provided, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. However, the daily average suggests a substantial operational cost. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of services, such as the number of meals served, locations supported, and specific catering requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was open, certain sources were initially excluded, but the final award was made after a broad solicitation. The number of bids received is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests an effort to maximize competition and potentially achieve better pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to submit bids, which can drive down costs and improve service quality through competitive pressure.

Public Impact

This contract primarily benefits federal agencies and personnel requiring mobile food services, likely in remote or operational settings. The services delivered include catering and mobile food provision, ensuring sustenance for individuals in various work environments. The geographic impact is focused on Oregon, where the services are expected to be deployed. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for catering staff, drivers, and support personnel employed by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and efficiency of services provided.
The economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases beyond initial projections.
The exclusion of sources, even if followed by open competition, warrants scrutiny to ensure fairness and prevent potential market distortion.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
The fixed-price structure, despite the adjustment clause, provides a baseline cost control mechanism.
The long contract duration offers stability and predictability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The food services sector, particularly catering, is a significant part of the government's support infrastructure. Federal agencies often contract for these services to support operations in diverse locations, from remote work sites to disaster relief efforts. The market for government catering contracts is competitive, with numerous firms vying for these opportunities. This contract fits within the broader category of government support services, which is a substantial segment of federal procurement.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) was false, and there was no specific small business set-aside (ss). This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and larger, established companies likely competed for and won this award. There is no information on subcontracting plans for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Food Service Contracts
Mobile Food Operations
Government Catering Services
Department of Agriculture Procurement
Forest Service Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to economic price adjustments.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes oversight challenging.
Limited information on the number of bidders and specific competition dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $21.1 million to STEWART'S FIREFIGHTER FOOD CATERING, INC.. NATIONAL MOBILE FOOD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STEWART'S FIREFIGHTER FOOD CATERING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-15. End: 2009-12-31.

What specific types of mobile food services are covered under this contract, and what is the expected volume of service?

The contract details for 'NATIONAL MOBILE FOOD SERVICES' awarded to STEWART'S FIREFIGHTER FOOD CATERING, INC. by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service do not explicitly detail the specific types of mobile food services or the expected volume. However, given the nature of 'caterers' (NAICS 722320) and the context of Forest Service operations, it likely includes providing prepared meals, potentially in remote or temporary locations such as fire camps, research sites, or field operations. The volume would fluctuate based on agency needs, personnel deployed, and operational tempo. Without further documentation, precise service types and volumes remain unspecified, making a detailed value assessment challenging.

How does the average daily cost of $12,724 compare to similar federal mobile food service contracts?

Benchmarking the average daily cost of $12,724 for this contract requires comparison with similar federal mobile food service contracts, which is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of such agreements and their specific service levels. Factors like geographic location, type of meals provided (e.g., standard, specialized diets), number of personnel served, and logistical complexities (e.g., remote access, duration of service) significantly influence costs. Generally, costs for large-scale catering in demanding environments can be high. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to identify contracts with comparable scope, duration, and service requirements, adjusting for regional economic differences and inflation over time. The current data does not allow for a definitive 'good' or 'bad' assessment of this daily rate in isolation.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance under this agreement?

The provided summary data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance standards established for this contract. Typically, federal contracts include clauses outlining performance expectations related to food quality, timeliness of delivery, nutritional standards, sanitation and safety compliance, and customer satisfaction. The Forest Service would likely have mechanisms to monitor these aspects, potentially through site inspections, feedback from end-users, and adherence to delivery schedules. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary makes it difficult to assess how contractor performance is formally measured and managed, which is crucial for ensuring value for taxpayer money.

What is the historical spending pattern for mobile food services by the Forest Service or USDA?

The provided data only pertains to a single contract awarded in 2005. To understand historical spending patterns for mobile food services by the Forest Service or USDA, a broader analysis of procurement data over multiple fiscal years would be necessary. This would involve identifying all contracts categorized under food services, catering, or mobile food operations awarded by these agencies. Examining trends in contract values, number of awards, and types of services procured would reveal spending patterns, identify periods of increased or decreased investment, and highlight any shifts in procurement strategies or service needs over time. Without this broader dataset, historical spending patterns remain unknown.

What risks are associated with a fixed-price contract that includes economic price adjustments?

A fixed-price contract with economic price adjustments (EPAs) aims to balance cost certainty for the government with protection for the contractor against unforeseen economic fluctuations, such as inflation in food or fuel costs. The primary risk for the government is that the EPA clause can lead to contract costs exceeding the initially fixed price, potentially increasing overall expenditure beyond what might have been budgeted or achieved in a purely fixed-price scenario. The risk is mitigated by carefully defining the economic indices and caps for adjustments. For the contractor, the risk is that the EPA might not fully cover all cost increases, or that administrative burdens associated with tracking and justifying adjustments are significant.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Special Food Services › Caterers

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: RFP490507

Offers Received: 25

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1600 N FOURTH ST, LAKEVIEW, OR, 02

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,122,326

Exercised Options: $21,122,326

Current Obligation: $21,122,326

Timeline