Maxwell AFB Food Service Contract Awarded for $21.9M Amidst Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,957,176 ($22.0M)
Contractor: Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-06-01
End Date: 2012-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,674 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FULL FOOD SERVICE FOR MAXWELL AFB
Place of Performance
Location: MONTGOMERY, MONTGOMERY County, ALABAMA, 36112
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $22.0 million to ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES for work described as: FULL FOOD SERVICE FOR MAXWELL AFB Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, a state agency, raising questions about typical federal contracting. 2. Full and open competition was cited, but the awardee's nature suggests potential non-standard market dynamics. 3. The contract duration is over 4 years, indicating a significant commitment of taxpayer funds. 4. The award amount of $21.9M is substantial for food services, warranting scrutiny of value for money.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $21.9M for food services over approximately 4.5 years appears high. Benchmarking against similar federal food service contracts would be necessary to determine if this pricing is competitive or inflated.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Despite being listed as full and open competition, the award to a state agency (Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services) is unusual and may indicate specific program requirements or limited eligible bidders in practice.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a significant food service contract. The value and efficiency of this spending require careful monitoring to ensure responsible fiscal management.
Public Impact
Ensures essential food services for personnel at Maxwell Air Force Base. Supports a state-level agency's operations through federal contract funding. Potential impact on local food service providers if the state agency is not sourcing locally. Highlights the diverse range of entities that can receive federal contract awards.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Unusual awardee type (state agency) for a food service contract.
- High contract value for the service type.
- Lack of clear justification for awarding to a state agency under full and open competition.
Positive Signals
- Contract was awarded under full and open competition.
- Ensures a critical service (food) is provided.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under general services, specifically food services, for a military installation. Federal spending in this area is common, but the awardee's nature here is atypical and warrants further investigation into the sector's specific procurement practices.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the awardee is the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, a state agency, not a small business. There is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting requirements within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts would apply. However, the unusual nature of the awardee might necessitate additional scrutiny from agencies like the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Inspector General.
Related Government Programs
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Awardee is a state agency, not a typical commercial entity for this service.
- High contract value for food services.
- Potential lack of specialized expertise in large-scale food service operations.
- Need for clear justification of awardee selection under full and open competition.
Tags
vocational-rehabilitation-services, department-of-defense, al, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $22.0 million to ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES. FULL FOOD SERVICE FOR MAXWELL AFB
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES.
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 $22.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-06-01. End: 2012-12-31.
What is the specific justification for awarding a food service contract to a state vocational rehabilitation agency instead of traditional food service contractors?
The justification for awarding this food service contract to the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, a state agency, is not immediately clear from the provided data. Typically, such contracts would go to private sector companies specializing in food services. It's possible the agency has a unique capability or mandate related to training or employment that aligns with the contract's objectives, or there were specific programmatic reasons driving this award choice.
Does the $21.9M contract value represent a fair and reasonable price for the food services provided over its duration?
Assessing the fairness and reasonableness of the $21.9M contract value requires detailed benchmarking against similar food service contracts at military installations of comparable size and scope. Factors such as the number of personnel served, service level requirements, and contract duration (over 4 years) are critical. Without comparative data, it is difficult to definitively state if the price is competitive or potentially inflated.
What is the potential risk to service quality or cost-effectiveness when a state agency, rather than a specialized private company, provides food services?
The primary risk lies in potential inefficiencies or a lack of specialized expertise compared to dedicated food service companies. While the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services may have unique capabilities, their core mission is vocational rehabilitation, not large-scale food service management. This could lead to higher operational costs, less flexibility in service delivery, or challenges in meeting the specific demands of a military dining facility, potentially impacting both quality and cost-effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Vocational Rehabilitation Services › Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA330008R0001
Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Alabama, State of (UEI: 004027553)
Address: 2129 E SOUTH BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,978,284
Exercised Options: $21,957,176
Current Obligation: $21,957,176
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-06-01
Current End Date: 2012-12-31
Potential End Date: 2012-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-03-21
More Contracts from Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
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- Federal Contract — $26.1M (Department of Defense)
- FY23 Full Food Service — $24.5M (Department of Defense)
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View all Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services federal contracts →
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