Air Force awards $11.5M for landscaping, groundskeeping services to Joppa Maintenance Co., Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,508,257 ($11.5M)

Contractor: Joppa Maintenance CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-01-25

End Date: 2015-02-01

Contract Duration: 3,659 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200505!000133!5700!FA4418!437 CONS/LGC !FA441805C0001 !A!N! !Y! ! !20050125!20050930!069046902!069046902!069046902!N!JOPPA MAINTENANCE CO INC !4904 FAYETTEVILLE ROAD !LUMBERTON !NC!28358!13375!019!45!CHARLESTON AFB !CHARLESTON !S CAROLINA!+000001018000!N!N!000000000000!S208!LANDSCAPING/GROUNDSKEEPING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !561210!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !A!N!J!2!015!K! !C!N!Z! ! !Y!B!N!Y! !B!B! !K!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: CHARLESTON AFB, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29404, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.5 million to JOPPA MAINTENANCE CO., INC. for work described as: 200505!000133!5700!FA4418!437 CONS/LGC !FA441805C0001 !A!N! !Y! ! !20050125!20050930!069046902!069046902!069046902!N!JOPPA MAINTENANCE CO INC !4904 FAYETTEVILLE ROAD !LUMBERTON !NC!28358!13375!019!45!CHARLESTON AFB !CHAR… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for facilities support services, specifically landscaping and groundskeeping. 2. Joppa Maintenance Co., Inc. secured the contract valued at over $11.5 million. 3. The contract duration spans over 10 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, highlighting a significant defense sector expenditure. 5. The contract was competed under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources', suggesting a complex procurement process. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561210 points to Facilities Support Services. 7. The contract was awarded as Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government. 8. The base contract value is $11,508,256.51, with potential for modifications or task orders.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.5 million over approximately 10 years for landscaping and groundskeeping services at Charleston Air Force Base appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While specific benchmarks for this exact service at this location are not readily available, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined cost expectation. The number of bids received (15) indicates a competitive environment that likely contributed to a fair price. Further analysis would require comparing per-unit costs for specific services like mowing or fertilization against industry standards.

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 open, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria. Fifteen bids were received, indicating a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces. The multiple bids suggest that the government obtained a fair market price for the landscaping and groundskeeping services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and personnel at Charleston Air Force Base, who will receive well-maintained grounds and facilities. The services delivered include essential landscaping and groundskeeping, contributing to the operational readiness and aesthetic appeal of the base. The geographic impact is concentrated at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. The contract supports jobs within the landscaping and groundskeeping industry, potentially benefiting local and regional workforces.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and ensure it did not unduly limit competition.
Long-term contracts can sometimes lead to complacency or reduced innovation if not actively managed and reviewed.
The specific performance metrics and quality control measures for groundskeeping services are not detailed, which could impact service quality over time.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating that multiple companies vied for the work.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, minimizing the risk of cost overruns.
The duration of over 10 years suggests a stable, long-term requirement and a potentially reliable service provider.
The award to a single contractor for a significant duration implies a focus on consistent service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The facilities support services sector, particularly landscaping and groundskeeping, is a significant component of government contracting. This contract falls within the broader facilities maintenance and management industry, which is characterized by a mix of large corporations and specialized small businesses. Government spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain extensive real property assets across military bases and federal facilities. Benchmarks for similar services can vary widely based on geographic location, scope of work, and specific requirements, but contracts of this magnitude suggest a substantial operational footprint.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, and the award value suggests it was likely competed more broadly. However, the prime contractor, Joppa Maintenance Co., Inc., may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities to fulfill specific aspects of the landscaping and groundskeeping services. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent to which subcontracting goals are established and met.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Air Force. Performance monitoring, quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs), and regular progress reviews are standard mechanisms to ensure contractor compliance and service quality. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Base Operations Support (BOS)
Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Groundskeeping Services
Department of Defense Maintenance Contracts
Air Force Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation over the contract's long duration.
Risk of service quality degradation without robust performance monitoring.
Justification for 'exclusion of sources' needs verification.
Contract modifications could impact final cost.
Dependence on a single contractor for over a decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.5 million to JOPPA MAINTENANCE CO., INC.. 200505!000133!5700!FA4418!437 CONS/LGC !FA441805C0001 !A!N! !Y! ! !20050125!20050930!069046902!069046902!069046902!N!JOPPA MAINTENANCE CO INC !4904 FAYETTEVILLE ROAD !LUMBERTON !NC!28358!13375!019!45!CHARLESTON AFB !CHARLESTON !S CAROLINA!+000001018000!N!N!000000000000!S208!LANDSCAPING/GROUNDSKEEPING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !561210!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOPPA MAINTENANCE CO., INC..

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 $11.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-01-25. End: 2015-02-01.

What is the track record of Joppa Maintenance Co., Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?

Joppa Maintenance Co., Inc. has a history of federal contracting, primarily with the Department of Defense. Reviewing their contract history reveals multiple awards for services including groundskeeping, maintenance, and facility support. The data indicates they have received payments consistent with contracts of this nature. Further analysis would involve examining past performance evaluations, any disputes or claims filed, and their overall performance trends across different agencies and contract types to assess their reliability and capability in fulfilling large-scale service agreements like the one awarded by the Air Force.

How does the awarded amount of $11.5 million compare to similar landscaping and groundskeeping contracts awarded by the Air Force or other DoD branches?

The $11.5 million award for landscaping and groundskeeping services over a period exceeding 10 years is a substantial contract. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against other large-scale, long-duration contracts for similar services at comparable military installations. Factors such as the geographic region's cost of living, the specific scope of work (e.g., acreage, types of services like irrigation, pest control, snow removal), and the level of competition influence pricing. Without direct comparative data for identical services at similar bases, it's challenging to definitively state if this is high or low, but the multi-year, firm-fixed-price nature suggests a significant, ongoing requirement.

What are the primary risks associated with a long-term (over 10 years) contract for groundskeeping services?

Long-term contracts for groundskeeping services present several risks. Firstly, the risk of price escalation due to inflation or unforeseen cost increases in labor and materials over a decade is significant, even with a firm-fixed-price contract, as it can strain the contractor's profitability or lead to demands for modification. Secondly, there's a risk of service degradation if the contractor becomes complacent or if performance monitoring is not rigorous. Thirdly, changes in environmental regulations or base requirements could necessitate contract modifications, potentially leading to disputes or increased costs. Finally, the long duration limits the government's ability to quickly adopt newer, potentially more efficient technologies or service providers if performance issues arise.

What does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' designation imply for this contract?

The designation 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' indicates that the solicitation was publicly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. However, it also implies that specific sources were excluded from consideration based on pre-determined criteria. This exclusion must be justified and documented, often related to specific capabilities, past performance issues, or security requirements. While it aims to ensure broad competition, the exclusion clause means not every potential bidder was considered, which could potentially limit the range of offers received compared to a purely 'full and open' competition without exclusions.

How has federal spending on facilities support services, including landscaping, trended over the past decade?

Federal spending on facilities support services, which encompasses landscaping and groundskeeping, has generally remained a significant category within government budgets, particularly for agencies managing large real property portfolios like the Department of Defense. While specific figures for landscaping alone are often aggregated within broader facilities maintenance categories, overall spending in this area tends to fluctuate based on budget appropriations, base consolidation or expansion efforts, and shifts in priorities. The trend often reflects a consistent need for maintaining government infrastructure and operational readiness, though specific contract awards can vary year-to-year based on procurement cycles and identified needs.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 263 SLOOP POINT LOOP RD, HAMPSTEAD, NC, 28443

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline