Patent Office Support Services contract awarded to DTSV INC. for over $26.6 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,660,318 ($26.7M)

Contractor: Dtsv Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2016-08-11

End Date: 2017-08-31

Contract Duration: 385 days

Daily Burn Rate: $69.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF' PATENT OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES (POSS)

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22313

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $26.7 million to DTSV INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF' PATENT OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES (POSS) Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through benchmarking against similar facilities support services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Risk indicators include contract type and performance period. 4. Performance context is within facilities support services for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 5. Sector positioning is within government administrative and support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking against similar facilities support services contracts is crucial for assessing value. Without specific cost breakdowns or performance metrics, it's difficult to definitively state if the $26.6 million represents excellent value. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests some cost control, but the overall value depends on the quality and scope of services delivered. Comparison to market rates for similar services in Virginia would provide further insight.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded for specific reasons. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process. This approach aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a wide range of potential contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging efficiency from the awarded contractor.

Public Impact

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office benefits from essential facilities support services. These services likely include maintenance, cleaning, and other operational support for USPTO facilities. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the USPTO facilities are located. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for individuals providing these support services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs within the firm fixed-price structure.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical facilities operations could pose a risk.
Ensuring consistent service quality throughout the contract duration requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing and service.
The contract duration allows for stable service provision.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services is a broad category within the government contracting sector, encompassing a wide range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of federal buildings and installations. This contract fits within the administrative and support services segment, which is a significant area of federal spending. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other contracts for similar services provided to agencies with comparable facility needs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Analysis of small business participation would require further investigation into the contract's specific terms and the contractor's subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Government Administrative Support Services
USPTO Operational Support

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep impacting fixed-price contract value.
Dependence on contractor performance for essential facility operations.
Need for clear performance metrics and oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $26.7 million to DTSV INC.. IGF::OT::IGF' PATENT OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES (POSS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DTSV INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-08-11. End: 2017-08-31.

What is the track record of DTSV INC. in providing facilities support services to the federal government?

A comprehensive review of DTSV INC.'s track record would involve examining past performance evaluations, any past performance issues or awards, and their experience with similar federal contracts. Information from sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would be crucial. Understanding their history with firm fixed-price contracts and their ability to meet delivery schedules and quality standards for facilities support is key to assessing their reliability for this specific contract.

How does the awarded amount of $26.6 million compare to similar facilities support contracts for federal agencies?

To benchmark the $26.6 million award, one would compare it to the total contract values and durations of similar facilities support services contracts awarded by other federal agencies. Factors such as the size and complexity of the facilities, the scope of services required (e.g., janitorial, HVAC maintenance, groundskeeping), and the geographic location would need to be considered for a fair comparison. Analyzing the per-square-foot cost or cost per employee supported could provide more granular insights into value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price contract for facilities support?

The primary risks with a firm fixed-price contract for facilities support revolve around potential cost overruns for the contractor if unforeseen issues arise or if the scope of work expands without a formal modification. For the government, the risk lies in potentially receiving substandard services if the contractor cuts corners to maintain profitability, or if the fixed price does not adequately account for necessary but unanticipated maintenance. Robust performance monitoring by the government is essential to mitigate these risks and ensure service quality.

How effective has 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' been in ensuring competitive pricing for this contract?

The effectiveness of 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' in ensuring competitive pricing depends on the specific reasons for excluding certain sources and the number of responsive bidders that remained. If the exclusion was narrowly defined and a sufficient number of qualified contractors still competed, it likely fostered competitive pricing. However, if the exclusions significantly limited the pool of potential bidders, the pricing might be less competitive than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. Analyzing the bid prices submitted would provide direct evidence.

What is the historical spending pattern for facilities support services at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?

To understand the historical spending pattern for facilities support services at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), one would need to analyze contract data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts awarded for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Trends in spending, such as increases or decreases in annual outlays, changes in the number or size of contracts, and shifts in awarded contractors, would reveal the USPTO's historical investment in maintaining its facilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 739 THIMBLE SHOALS BLVD STE 101, NEWPORT NEWS, VA, 23606

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,800,724

Exercised Options: $26,660,318

Current Obligation: $26,660,318

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOC50PAPT1300024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline