Agriculture's $30M mobile food services contract awarded to Big Sky Mobile Catering Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,844,536 ($29.8M)

Contractor: BIG SKY Mobile Catering Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2015-04-01

End Date: 2018-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,370 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 19

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTION, NATIONAL MOBILE FOOD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MISSOULA, MISSOULA County, MONTANA, 59802

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $29.8 million to BIG SKY MOBILE CATERING CORP for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTION, NATIONAL MOBILE FOOD SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of approximately $30 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in mobile food services. 2. The award was made under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating a specific justification for limiting the initial pool of bidders. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract duration of 1370 days (approximately 3.75 years) indicates a medium-term commitment. 5. The contract was awarded to a single entity, Big Sky Mobile Catering Corp., raising questions about the extent of competition achieved. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 722310 points to the food services sector, specifically for facilities and mobile locations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific service delivery details or comparable contracts. The total value of $29.8 million over nearly four years averages to roughly $8 million annually. This figure needs to be assessed against the scale and scope of operations, including the number of personnel supported, locations served, and the specific food services provided. Without more granular data on performance metrics and service levels, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. The firm-fixed-price structure, however, suggests an attempt to control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be open, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential sources. The exact reasons for this exclusion are not detailed in the provided data. The fact that it resulted in a single award to Big Sky Mobile Catering Corp. suggests that either the pool of qualified bidders was small, or the exclusion criteria significantly narrowed the field. Further investigation into the justification for excluding sources would be necessary to fully understand the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the most competitive pricing possible. If legitimate and qualified bidders were excluded without clear justification, it could lead to higher costs than might have been achieved in a truly open market.

Public Impact

This contract primarily benefits federal agencies and personnel requiring mobile food services, likely in remote or temporary locations. The services delivered include food preparation and catering, supporting the operational needs of the Forest Service. The contract's geographic impact is focused on Montana, as indicated by the state code 'MT'. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for catering staff and support personnel managed by Big Sky Mobile Catering Corp.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method warrants scrutiny to ensure fair market access and optimal pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness and efficiency.
The contract's total value and duration require careful monitoring to ensure continued value for taxpayer dollars.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract was awarded to a single entity, potentially indicating a specialized capability or a streamlined process.
The award supports essential services for the Forest Service, contributing to operational readiness.

Sector Analysis

The food services industry is a large and diverse sector. Federal contracts for food services, particularly those supporting agencies like the Forest Service, often involve catering for remote locations, disaster relief efforts, or temporary installations. The NAICS code 722310 specifically covers food services contractors that provide food for events, in facilities, or on a mobile basis. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar federal food service contracts would require analyzing the scope, duration, and specific services offered, as well as the geographic locations and number of personnel supported.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract, as 'sb' is false and 'ss' is false. There is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the contract was not specifically aimed at promoting small business involvement, and the prime contractor, Big Sky Mobile Catering Corp., is likely not a small business. The impact on the small business ecosystem would therefore be minimal, unless the prime contractor engages small businesses as subcontractors, which is not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of 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 reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or alleged.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Justification
Lack of Performance Metrics
Unclear Value for Money

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $29.8 million to BIG SKY MOBILE CATERING CORP. IGF::OT::IGF CRITICAL FUNCTION, NATIONAL MOBILE FOOD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIG SKY MOBILE CATERING CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-04-01. End: 2018-12-31.

What was the specific justification for 'exclusion of sources' in this 'full and open competition' award?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This procurement method suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential sources from bidding. Common reasons for such exclusions can include proprietary data rights, unique capabilities required that only a limited number of firms possess, or specific national security concerns. Without further documentation or clarification from the awarding agency (Department of Agriculture, Forest Service), the precise rationale for excluding sources remains unknown. Understanding this justification is crucial for assessing whether the competition was truly maximized and if taxpayers received the best possible value.

How does the awarded price of approximately $30 million compare to market rates for similar mobile food services?

Benchmarking the $29.8 million contract value requires detailed information on the scope of services, duration, locations, and number of individuals served. The contract spans 1370 days (approx. 3.75 years), averaging around $8 million annually. To compare this to market rates, one would need to analyze contracts for similar mobile catering services provided to large organizations or government entities, considering factors like menu complexity, service hours, staffing levels, and logistical challenges. Without such comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether the price is competitive. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests an effort to lock in costs, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes a precise value assessment challenging.

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

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for a food services contract of this magnitude, KPIs might include food quality ratings, timeliness of service, adherence to dietary requirements, waste reduction targets, and customer satisfaction scores. SLAs would define the expected standards for these metrics, often with associated remedies or incentives for performance. The absence of this information in the summary data makes it difficult to objectively assess the contractor's performance and the overall effectiveness of the services delivered under the $29.8 million award to Big Sky Mobile Catering Corp.

What is the track record of Big Sky Mobile Catering Corp. in fulfilling federal contracts of similar size and scope?

The provided data identifies Big Sky Mobile Catering Corp. as the contractor for this $29.8 million mobile food services contract with the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. However, it does not offer details regarding the company's specific track record, past performance evaluations on federal contracts, or experience with similar-sized engagements. To assess their reliability and capability, one would need to consult historical contract databases (like FPDS), past performance reviews, and potentially agency feedback. Without this information, it's challenging to gauge their established performance history in the federal contracting space, particularly concerning large-scale food service operations.

What is the historical spending pattern for mobile food services by the Forest Service or the Department of Agriculture?

The provided data focuses solely on this specific $29.8 million contract awarded to Big Sky Mobile Catering Corp. It does not offer insights into the historical spending patterns for mobile food services by the Forest Service or the broader Department of Agriculture. To understand historical trends, one would need to analyze procurement data over several fiscal years, identifying all contracts related to food services, mobile catering, and similar support functions. This analysis would reveal whether spending in this category has increased, decreased, or remained stable, and how this particular contract fits within that larger financial picture.

Industry Classification

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

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: AG-024B-S-14-9000

Offers Received: 19

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 224 N HIGGINS AVE, MISSOULA, MT, 59802

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,018,784

Exercised Options: $29,844,536

Current Obligation: $29,844,536

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline