Interior's $25M Midway Atoll Base Operations Support Contract Awarded to Defense Base Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,083,221 ($25.1M)

Contractor: Defense Base Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2016-12-30

End Date: 2022-07-31

Contract Duration: 2,039 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TITLE: BASE OPERATION SUPPORT SERVICES (BOSS) FOR MIDWAY ATOLL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (NWR)

Place of Performance

Location: HONOLULU, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96850

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $25.1 million to DEFENSE BASE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TITLE: BASE OPERATION SUPPORT SERVICES (BOSS) FOR MIDWAY ATOLL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (NWR) Key points: 1. Contract value of $25.08M over approximately 6.7 years. 2. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a specific reason for excluding some sources. 3. Risk of potential overpayment exists due to the 'Definitive Contract' type and 'Firm Fixed Price' structure without clear unit cost benchmarks. 4. Sector is Facilities Support Services, crucial for maintaining remote government installations like wildlife refuges.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $25.08M over 2039 days (approx. 6.7 years) averages to about $12,302 per day. Without specific service details or comparable contracts, assessing value is difficult. The 'Definitive Contract' type can sometimes lead to less price scrutiny than other contract types.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This implies that while open to all, certain sources were initially excluded, potentially limiting the competitive pool and impacting price discovery. The rationale for exclusion is not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price structure aims to control costs, but the limited competition and lack of detailed cost breakdowns make it difficult to ascertain if taxpayers received the best possible price.

Public Impact

Ensures essential base operations and support services at a remote U.S. National Wildlife Refuge. Supports environmental conservation efforts by maintaining the infrastructure necessary for refuge management. Provides employment opportunities, though the extent of local or small business impact is unclear.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Ambiguity in 'Exclusion of Sources' rationale.
Lack of clear unit cost data for price validation.
Potential for cost creep in 'Definitive Contract' if scope expands.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract aims for cost certainty.
Long-term contract provides stability for essential services.
Awarded to a single entity for consolidated support.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services (NAICS 561210) encompass a broad range of services for maintaining government facilities. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the complexity and location of the facilities. This contract supports a remote, specialized environment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Oversight would focus on ensuring the contractor meets performance standards and that the services provided align with the refuge's operational and conservation goals.

Related Government Programs

Facilities Support Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown for validation.
Potential for undefined scope creep in 'Definitive Contract'.
High daily operational cost benchmark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $25.1 million to DEFENSE BASE SERVICES, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF TITLE: BASE OPERATION SUPPORT SERVICES (BOSS) FOR MIDWAY ATOLL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (NWR)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEFENSE BASE SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-12-30. End: 2022-07-31.

What was the specific justification for excluding certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process, and did this exclusion limit competitive pricing?

The justification for excluding sources is not detailed in the provided data. This exclusion could potentially limit the number of bidders, thereby reducing competitive pressure and potentially leading to higher prices than if the competition had been entirely unrestricted. Further investigation into the solicitation documents would be required to understand the rationale and its impact.

How does the daily cost of $12,302 compare to similar base operations support contracts in remote or environmentally sensitive locations?

Benchmarking this daily cost requires comparison with contracts for similar services in comparable locations. Remote locations often incur higher logistical costs, which can increase per-unit pricing. Without specific details on the scope of services (e.g., maintenance, security, utilities, housing) and the specific challenges of Midway Atoll, a definitive comparison is difficult. However, the cost appears substantial and warrants scrutiny.

What performance metrics are in place to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of Defense Base Services, LLC's support at Midway Atoll NWR?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined metrics related to facility maintenance, operational readiness, safety, and environmental compliance. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should be monitoring these metrics to ensure the contractor is delivering required services effectively and efficiently.

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

Solicitation ID: F16PS00012

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Chugach Alaska Corporation

Address: 3800 CENTERPOINT DR STE 1200, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,083,221

Exercised Options: $25,083,221

Current Obligation: $25,083,221

Actual Outlays: $14,205,331

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 11

Total Subaward Amount: $2,429,704

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline