Energy Department's $14.3M facilities support contract awarded to Pace Enterprises of West Virginia Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,342,223 ($14.3M)
Contractor: Pace Enterprises of West Virginia Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2008-09-30
End Date: 2014-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,949 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, JANITORIAL AND RELATED SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (NETL) MORGANTOWN
Place of Performance
Location: MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26507
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $14.3 million to PACE ENTERPRISES OF WEST VIRGINIA INC for work described as: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, JANITORIAL AND RELATED SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (NETL) MORGANTOWN Key points: 1. Contract awarded for grounds maintenance and janitorial services at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. 2. The contract duration spans over 1900 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. The award was not subject to full and open competition, raising questions about potential cost savings. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 5. Services are concentrated in West Virginia, suggesting a localized impact. 6. The contract value is substantial, reflecting the scale of facilities management required.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $14.3 million over approximately five years for grounds maintenance and janitorial services appears to be within a reasonable range for a facility of the National Energy Technology Laboratory's size. However, without specific details on the scope of work, service levels, and comparable contract data for similar facilities, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost control, but the lack of robust competition limits the ability to benchmark pricing against market alternatives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded under a sole-source justification, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach limits the opportunity for price discovery through competitive bidding and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed contract. The rationale for the sole-source award, if available, would be crucial to understanding why broader competition was not pursued.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the benefit of the lowest possible price that could have been achieved through a bidding process.
Public Impact
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Morgantown, West Virginia, benefits from consistent and reliable facility maintenance. Local residents in West Virginia are likely to benefit from employment opportunities generated by the contract. The services ensure a safe, clean, and functional working environment for NETL staff and visitors. The contract supports the operational continuity of a key federal research and development facility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Sole-source awards can reduce transparency and accountability.
- Limited data available to assess performance against benchmarks.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Long-term award suggests contractor reliability and satisfaction.
- Services are essential for facility operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, which encompasses a broad range of services including maintenance, cleaning, and groundskeeping for commercial and institutional buildings. The market for these services is generally competitive, with numerous providers ranging from small local businesses to large national corporations. Federal spending in this area is significant, supporting the operational needs of government facilities nationwide. Benchmarking this contract's value would typically involve comparing its per-square-foot cost or service-level pricing against similar contracts for federal buildings or large commercial properties.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a specific small business set-aside component. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Pace Enterprises of West Virginia Inc., is likely a larger entity, and the contract's direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless significant subcontracting occurs.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of Energy responsible for the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award and the lack of publicly available performance data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Buildings Fund
- Department of Defense Facilities Maintenance Contracts
- National Science Foundation Facility Operations
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition.
- Lack of performance data makes value assessment difficult.
- Contract duration is lengthy, increasing exposure to potential issues.
Tags
facilities-support-services, grounds-maintenance, janitorial-services, department-of-energy, national-energy-technology-laboratory, west-virginia, sole-source, firm-fixed-price, large-contract, service-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $14.3 million to PACE ENTERPRISES OF WEST VIRGINIA INC. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, JANITORIAL AND RELATED SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (NETL) MORGANTOWN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PACE ENTERPRISES OF WEST VIRGINIA INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-30. End: 2014-01-31.
What is the specific scope of work included in the grounds maintenance and janitorial services?
The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work. However, 'Grounds Maintenance, Janitorial and Related Services' typically includes tasks such as lawn mowing, landscaping, snow removal, waste disposal, cleaning of interior spaces (offices, restrooms, common areas), window washing, and pest control. For the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), the scope would be tailored to the specific needs of its facilities, potentially including specialized cleaning for laboratory areas or extensive groundskeeping for its campus. A detailed statement of work (SOW) within the contract documents would outline these precise requirements, service frequencies, and performance standards.
How does the contract value compare to similar facilities support contracts awarded by the Department of Energy?
Comparing the $14.3 million contract value for NETL's facilities support services requires access to a database of similar contracts awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) or other federal agencies for comparable facilities. Without such data, a direct comparison is difficult. Factors influencing cost include the size and complexity of the facility, geographic location (affecting labor rates and material costs), specific service requirements (e.g., specialized cleaning for labs), and contract duration. Given the sole-source nature, it's harder to benchmark against competitively bid contracts, which often yield lower prices. A comprehensive analysis would involve normalizing costs by facility square footage and service intensity.
What is the track record of Pace Enterprises of West Virginia Inc. with federal contracts?
Information on Pace Enterprises of West Virginia Inc.'s track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to review their contract history, including past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past disputes or terminations. A positive history of timely delivery, quality service, and adherence to contract terms would indicate reliability. Conversely, a history of performance issues or contract disputes might raise concerns about their capability to fulfill the current NETL contract effectively.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for these essential services?
The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for essential services like grounds maintenance and janitorial support is the potential for inflated costs due to a lack of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, the government may pay more than necessary. Other risks include reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve service quality beyond the minimum required, and a potential lack of transparency in pricing. Furthermore, if the sole-source contractor experiences performance issues or becomes unable to fulfill the contract, the government may face significant disruption in service delivery while seeking an alternative solution.
What is the historical spending pattern for grounds maintenance and janitorial services at NETL?
The provided data only includes details for one specific contract awarded in 2008 and ending in 2014. To understand historical spending patterns at NETL for these services, one would need to examine contract awards over a longer period, potentially spanning several decades. This would involve identifying all previous contracts for similar services, their values, durations, and awarded contractors. Analyzing this historical data would reveal trends in spending, identify periods of significant cost increases or decreases, and highlight any shifts in contracting strategies (e.g., from competitive to sole-source or vice versa).
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities 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: 420 PLEASANT HILL AVE, MORGANTOWN, WV, 02
Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,689,250
Exercised Options: $14,689,250
Current Obligation: $14,342,223
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-30
Current End Date: 2014-01-31
Potential End Date: 2014-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-08-19
More Contracts from Pace Enterprises of West Virginia Inc
- Housekeeping Services — $10.5M (Department of Energy)
- Grounds Maintenance, Janitorial and Related Services - National Energy Technology Laboratory (netl) - Morgantown West Virginia — $7.1M (Department of Energy)
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