Defense Commissary Agency awards $11.8M contract to GREAT PLAINS ENTERPRISES INC for support services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,818,633 ($11.8M)

Contractor: Great Plains Enterprises Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-03-20

End Date: 2009-04-30

Contract Duration: 2,233 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Place of Performance

Location: NELLIS AFB, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89191

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.8 million to GREAT PLAINS ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract value of $11.8M over approximately 6 years suggests a moderate annual spend. 2. The contract was awarded on a 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 3. Fixed price contract type generally offers cost certainty but may limit flexibility for evolving needs. 4. The contractor, GREAT PLAINS ENTERPRISES INC, has a single award of this size. 5. Services provided fall under 'All Other Support Services', a broad category. 6. The contract duration of over 6 years indicates a long-term need for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.8 million over approximately 6.1 years equates to an average annual spend of roughly $1.9 million. Without specific details on the services rendered, direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs, but the lack of competition could mean the government did not secure the most competitive pricing available. Benchmarking value would require understanding the scope and deliverables against industry standards for 'All Other Support Services'.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' basis, indicating that only one source was considered or available. This significantly limits the opportunity for competitive bidding and price discovery. While there may be justifications for sole-source awards, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs, it typically results in higher prices for the government compared to fully competed contracts. The lack of multiple bidders means the government did not benefit from the price pressures that competition usually creates.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may have paid a premium for these services, as there was no market pressure to drive down costs. This award structure bypasses the potential savings that could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military personnel and their families who utilize commissary services, as these support services are essential for the operation of commissaries. The services delivered are broadly categorized as 'All Other Support Services', which could encompass a range of functions critical to the daily operations of the Defense Commissary Agency. The contract is geographically tied to Nevada, as indicated by the 'SN NEVADA' field, suggesting local impact. Workforce implications are not explicitly detailed but would involve employment opportunities for individuals performing the support services in Nevada.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits transparency in pricing and service delivery.
Broad service category ('All Other Support Services') could mask inefficiencies or scope creep.
Contract duration of over 6 years may not adapt well to changing operational needs.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract awarded to a single entity suggests a potentially specialized or long-standing relationship.
The award is for a significant duration, indicating a stable and ongoing requirement.

Sector Analysis

The Defense Commissary Agency operates within the broader federal support services sector, which is a vast and diverse market. This contract for 'All Other Support Services' falls into a category that can include a wide array of functions, from administrative support to logistics and maintenance. The total federal spending on support services is substantial, with numerous contracts awarded annually across various agencies. This specific award represents a small fraction of that overall spending, but its sole-source nature warrants scrutiny within the context of ensuring value for money in government procurement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or actual performance. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, as it was not targeted towards small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the Defense Commissary Agency's program management office. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Defense Commissary Agency Operations
Federal Support Services Contracts
Sole-Source Procurement
Fixed-Price Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Long contract duration may not adapt to changing needs.
Broad service category lacks specificity for performance assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.8 million to GREAT PLAINS ENTERPRISES INC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GREAT PLAINS ENTERPRISES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Commissary Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-03-20. End: 2009-04-30.

What specific services are included under 'All Other Support Services' for this contract?

The provided data categorizes the contract under NAICS code 561990, 'All Other Support Services'. This is a broad classification that can encompass a wide range of activities not specifically covered by other support service categories. Without the full contract details or statement of work, it is impossible to determine the precise services rendered. These could potentially include administrative support, logistical assistance, facility maintenance, or other operational support functions essential for the Defense Commissary Agency's mission. Understanding the specific deliverables is crucial for assessing value and performance.

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

The data explicitly states the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (ct: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION), which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not provided in the abbreviated data. Common reasons for sole-source awards include the existence of only one responsible source, urgent and compelling needs, or specific government requirements that only one contractor can meet. However, without further documentation, it is impossible to ascertain the precise rationale behind this particular award, which limits the ability to evaluate its necessity and potential impact on cost.

How does the $11.8 million contract value compare to similar support service contracts awarded by the Defense Commissary Agency or other DoD entities?

The contract value of $11.8 million over approximately 6.1 years represents an average annual expenditure of roughly $1.9 million. Benchmarking this against similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of Defense Commissary Agency (DECA) or Department of Defense (DoD) support service procurements. Given the broad nature of 'All Other Support Services,' direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific scope of work. However, for a sole-source award of this magnitude, it is important to ensure that the pricing is reasonable and reflects fair market value, which is often challenging to verify without competitive bids.

What is the track record of GREAT PLAINS ENTERPRISES INC with federal contracts, particularly with the Defense Commissary Agency?

The provided data indicates that GREAT PLAINS ENTERPRISES INC has received one award, which is this specific contract valued at $11.8 million. This suggests that this is a significant contract for the company, and potentially one of their primary federal engagements. There is no information in the provided data about prior contracts, performance history, or other federal awards. Therefore, assessing their overall track record, especially with DECA, is not possible based solely on this data. Further investigation into contract performance databases would be necessary.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract of this duration?

Sole-source contracts, especially those with a long duration (over 6 years in this case), carry several risks. Firstly, the lack of competition can lead to inflated prices and reduced value for money, as the government does not benefit from market-driven cost reductions. Secondly, a long-term sole-source agreement can create vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers even if performance declines or better solutions emerge. Thirdly, without competitive pressure, there may be less incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve service quality over time. Finally, the justification for the sole-source award itself needs to be robust to ensure it was truly necessary and not simply a matter of convenience.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support Services

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: 4755 DESERT PLAINS RD, LAS VEGAS, NV, 90

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline