DoD's $106.6M Landscaping Contract Awarded to PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER Raises Value Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,655,912 ($10.7M)

Contractor: Pre-Vocational Training Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-05-01

End Date: 2008-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,887 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200308!000089!5700!QA26 !92 CONS/LGC !F4561303FA008 !A!N! !Y! !20030501!20030930!083405337!083405337!078210515!N!PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER!2517 NORTH RUBY STREET !SPOKANE !WA!99207!22955!063!53!FAIRCHILD AFB !SPOKANE !WASHINGTON!+000001028334!N!N!000000000000!S208!LANDSCAPING/GROUNDSKEEPING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !561730!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !N!Z!B!U!J!1!001!N!5A!C!N!Z! ! !N!D!N! ! ! ! ! !A!A!000!A!A!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRCHILD AFB, SPOKANE County, WASHINGTON, 99011

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.7 million to PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER for work described as: 200308!000089!5700!QA26 !92 CONS/LGC !F4561303FA008 !A!N! !Y! !20030501!20030930!083405337!083405337!078210515!N!PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER!2517 NORTH RUBY STREET !SPOKANE !WA!99207!22955!063!53!FAIRCHILD AFB !SPOKA… Key points: 1. The contract's value proposition is unclear due to a lack of detailed performance metrics and benchmarking. 2. Competition dynamics are limited, with the contract being awarded under 'not available for competition' status. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, primarily stemming from the limited competition and the absence of clear performance standards. 4. The contract's duration of over 5 years suggests a need for robust oversight to ensure continued value. 5. This contract positions the DoD within the facilities maintenance and landscaping services sector. 6. The significant award amount warrants scrutiny regarding cost-effectiveness and market alignment.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total award amount of $106.6 million over approximately five years for landscaping services appears high when compared to typical contracts of this nature. Without specific performance metrics or a clear breakdown of services, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The lack of competitive bidding further complicates a thorough value assessment, as there is no market-driven price discovery to evaluate against. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts risk to the contractor, but the overall cost-effectiveness remains a question without more granular data on service delivery and pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a 'not available for competition' status, indicating a sole-source or limited competition procurement. The specific justification for this limited competition is not detailed in the provided data. A lack of open competition means that potential alternative providers were not considered, which can lead to higher prices and potentially less innovation. The absence of multiple bids prevents a direct comparison of offerings and pricing, making it challenging to ascertain if the government secured the best possible terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the most competitive pricing due to the absence of a robust bidding process. Limited competition can result in inflated costs that are ultimately borne by the public.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary of this contract is PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER, a contractor providing essential grounds maintenance services. The services delivered include landscaping and groundskeeping, crucial for maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of Fairchild AFB. The geographic impact is localized to Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington. The contract may have implications for local employment, potentially providing jobs in the Spokane area for landscaping and groundskeeping personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor performance and value.
Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs.
Long contract duration (over 5 years) necessitates ongoing vigilance to ensure continued cost-effectiveness.
Absence of clear service standards could lead to ambiguity in service delivery expectations.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Contract supports a specific government facility (Fairchild AFB), indicating a clear need.
The contractor is identified, allowing for track record assessment (though not provided here).

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically focusing on Landscaping and Groundskeeping (NAICS code 561730). This sector is characterized by a mix of small and large businesses providing essential maintenance services to government and commercial entities. Government spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need to maintain federal properties. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific service details, but large-scale landscaping contracts for military installations can represent significant investments.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Given the large award amount and the nature of the services, it is possible that subcontracting opportunities could exist for specialized landscaping tasks. However, without explicit information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plan would be necessary to assess this aspect.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) at Fairchild AFB, responsible for monitoring service delivery and compliance. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, where the contractor is responsible for delivering the specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award and the lack of publicly available detailed performance reports. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Base Operations Support (BOS)
Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Groundskeeping Services
Department of Defense Construction and Facilities Management

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Performance Benchmarks
High Contract Value
Long Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.7 million to PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER. 200308!000089!5700!QA26 !92 CONS/LGC !F4561303FA008 !A!N! !Y! !20030501!20030930!083405337!083405337!078210515!N!PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER!2517 NORTH RUBY STREET !SPOKANE !WA!99207!22955!063!53!FAIRCHILD AFB !SPOKANE !WASHINGTON!+000001028334!N!N!000000000000!S208!LANDSCAPING/GROUNDSKEEPING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !561730!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-05-01. End: 2008-06-30.

What is the specific scope of work included in the "Landscaping/Groundskeeping Services" for this contract?

The provided data identifies the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as 561730, which corresponds to Landscaping Services. This typically includes services such as mowing, trimming, planting, fertilizing, pest control, irrigation, and snow removal. However, the specific details of the scope of work for this particular $106.6 million contract are not elaborated upon in the data. A comprehensive understanding would require reviewing the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), which would detail the exact services, frequency, quality standards, and deliverables expected from PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER at Fairchild AFB.

Can the value of this contract be benchmarked against similar landscaping contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $106.6 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services, geographic location nuances, and contract duration. While landscaping services are common across federal agencies, the scale and specific requirements for a large Air Force base like Fairchild AFB can vary significantly. Generally, firm-fixed-price contracts aim for cost efficiency, but the lack of competition here prevents a direct price comparison. To effectively benchmark, one would need to identify comparable contracts for similar-sized military installations or large federal facilities, considering factors like acreage, types of landscaping (e.g., manicured lawns vs. natural areas), and included services like irrigation maintenance or snow removal. The absence of such comparable data in the provided snippet makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a 'not available for competition' basis?

The data explicitly states the contract was awarded under 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This designation typically implies that the procurement was conducted under specific circumstances where full and open competition was not feasible or required by law. Common reasons include: only one responsible source exists, an urgent and compelling need, or the contract is a follow-on to a previous sole-source award where transitioning to a new contractor would be impractical or excessively costly. Without further details from the contract award justification document (e.g., J&A - Justification and Approval), the precise reason remains unknown. This lack of competition raises concerns about potential price inflation and reduced market responsiveness.

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

Sole-source contracts, especially those of significant value ($106.6 million) and long duration (over 5 years), carry inherent risks. Firstly, the absence of competition can lead to higher prices than might be achieved in an open market, as the contractor faces less pressure to offer the most competitive bid. Secondly, there's a risk of complacency; without the threat of losing future business to competitors, the contractor might be less motivated to innovate or maintain the highest service standards. Thirdly, dependency on a single contractor can create vulnerabilities if the contractor experiences financial difficulties, operational issues, or fails to meet performance expectations. Finally, the lack of transparency in the procurement process can obscure potential inefficiencies or suboptimal resource allocation, making oversight more critical.

How does this contract align with the Department of the Air Force's broader facilities management and sustainability goals?

The alignment of this landscaping contract with the Department of the Air Force's broader facilities management and sustainability goals is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, effective groundskeeping is a fundamental aspect of facilities management, contributing to the operational readiness and morale of personnel at Fairchild AFB. Regarding sustainability, modern landscaping contracts often incorporate elements like water conservation (xeriscaping, efficient irrigation), use of native plants, integrated pest management, and potentially the use of electric or low-emission groundskeeping equipment. Whether this specific contract includes such provisions would depend on the detailed Statement of Work and performance requirements, which are not available here. Future analysis could explore if the contractor's practices align with environmental stewardship objectives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2517 NORTH RUBY STREET, SPOKANE, WA, 05

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline