Air Force awards $6.3M janitorial services contract to The Arc Caddo-Bossier, a non-profit

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,292,406 ($6.3M)

Contractor: THE ARC Caddo-Bossier

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-03-01

End Date: 2027-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,674 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BASE CUSTODIAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BARKSDALE AFB, BOSSIER County, LOUISIANA, 71110

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.3 million to THE ARC CADDO-BOSSIER for work described as: BASE CUSTODIAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a non-profit organization focused on disability services, suggesting a potential social impact objective. 2. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, indicating predictable costs for the government. 3. Limited competition is noted, raising questions about price discovery and potential value for money. 4. The duration of the contract is over four years, providing long-term service stability. 5. The service falls under janitorial services, a common and essential facility maintenance requirement. 6. The contract value is relatively modest for a federal services contract of this duration.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value for this janitorial services contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and service levels. However, the contract value of approximately $6.3 million over roughly four years suggests an average annual cost of around $1.57 million. This figure needs to be compared against similar-sized facilities and service requirements within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the absence of detailed performance metrics or comparison data makes a definitive value-for-money assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. The specific justification for this procurement approach is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards occur when only one responsible source can fulfill the requirement. The lack of broader competition means that the government did not benefit from a wider range of proposals or potentially lower prices that could have emerged from an open bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition for this contract means taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing available in the market. Without a robust bidding process, there is a risk that the awarded price is higher than it might have been under a fully competed scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary of this contract is the Department of the Air Force, which will receive essential custodial services for its facilities. The Arc Caddo-Bossier, a non-profit organization, is the contractor, potentially creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Services will be delivered in Louisiana, impacting the local economy and workforce in that region. The contract ensures the maintenance of a clean and sanitary environment, contributing to the operational readiness and well-being of Air Force personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding raises concerns about potentially inflated costs for taxpayers.
Absence of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and efficiency of services delivered.
The sole-source nature of the award limits transparency into the selection process and justification.

Positive Signals

Award to a non-profit organization aligns with potential social responsibility goals.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
Long contract duration ensures continuity of essential services.

Sector Analysis

Janitorial services, classified under NAICS code 561720, represent a significant segment of the facilities support services market. Federal agencies consistently procure these services to maintain government buildings and installations. While specific market size data for federal janitorial contracts is not readily available, the overall facilities management industry is substantial. This contract fits within the broader category of base support and operational services, which are critical for maintaining military readiness and government operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other janitorial contracts awarded by the Air Force or Department of Defense for similar facility types and sizes.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. Furthermore, the contractor, The Arc Caddo-Bossier, is a non-profit organization, not typically categorized as a small business in the traditional sense for set-aside purposes. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Air Force administrative units responsible for facility management. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract simplifies some aspects of oversight by focusing on deliverables rather than cost reimbursement. However, ensuring service quality and adherence to contract terms would require regular performance monitoring and inspections. Transparency is limited by the sole-source award, but contract details and performance reports, if made public, could offer further insight. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Base Operations Support Services
Facility Maintenance Contracts
Government Cleaning Services
Non-Profit Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency.
Potential for non-competitive pricing.
Performance metrics not specified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.3 million to THE ARC CADDO-BOSSIER. BASE CUSTODIAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE ARC CADDO-BOSSIER.

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 $6.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-01. End: 2027-09-30.

What is the specific justification for awarding this janitorial services contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which typically signifies a sole-source or limited competition procurement. The specific justification, such as a unique capability, urgent need, or lack of other responsible sources, is not detailed in the available information. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 outlines the policies for contracting without full and open competition. Without the official justification document, it's impossible to definitively state why this contract was not competed. This lack of transparency is a concern for ensuring the government obtains the best value and that taxpayer funds are used efficiently. Further investigation into the contract file or agency justifications would be required to understand the rationale behind the sole-source award.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar janitorial services contracts awarded by the Air Force or DoD?

The annual cost for this contract is approximately $1.57 million ($6.3 million base contract value divided by the approximate 4-year duration). Benchmarking this against similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal janitorial service awards, including details on the square footage of facilities serviced, the types of services provided (e.g., deep cleaning, waste management, window washing), service frequency, and geographic location. Without this comparative data, it is difficult to definitively state whether this contract represents good or poor value. Factors such as the specific security requirements, the condition of the facilities, and the labor costs in Louisiana would influence pricing. A comprehensive analysis would involve comparing this contract's metrics against a statistically significant sample of comparable contracts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this janitorial services contract. These are crucial elements that define the expected quality, timeliness, and scope of the services to be delivered. Typically, KPIs for janitorial services might include metrics related to cleanliness scores, response times for reported issues, waste removal efficiency, and adherence to safety protocols. SLAs would outline the specific standards for these KPIs and potential remedies or incentives tied to performance. The absence of this information in the summary data makes it challenging to assess the contractor's performance obligations and the government's mechanisms for ensuring satisfactory service delivery and accountability.

What is the track record of The Arc Caddo-Bossier in performing federal contracts, particularly for facility maintenance?

The provided data does not contain information on The Arc Caddo-Bossier's historical performance on federal contracts. As a non-profit organization, its primary mission may not be federal contracting, although it is common for such organizations to receive grants or contracts that align with their social missions. To assess their track record, one would need to examine past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), other federal contract awards to this entity, and any publicly available information regarding their operational capacity and experience in delivering facility maintenance services. Without this background, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and capability in fulfilling this specific Air Force contract.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the local workforce in Louisiana, particularly regarding employment for individuals with disabilities?

As The Arc Caddo-Bossier is a non-profit organization often focused on employing individuals with disabilities, this contract is likely to have a positive impact on the local workforce in Louisiana. It provides a significant funding stream that can support job creation and provide employment opportunities for the clients served by the organization. The contract's duration of over four years suggests stable employment potential. The exact number of jobs created and the specific roles would depend on the scope of services required and the organization's operational structure. This award aligns with potential government objectives to support social enterprises and provide meaningful employment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Janitorial 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: 351 JORDAN ST, SHREVEPORT, LA, 71101

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,576,370

Exercised Options: $7,437,071

Current Obligation: $6,292,406

Actual Outlays: $6,366

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline