Department of the Navy awards $5.8M facilities support contract to Skookum Educational Programs, a sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,812,666 ($5.8M)

Contractor: Skookum Educational Programs

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BASE TRANSPORTATION OPS & MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: LONGWOOD, BRUNSWICK County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28452

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $5.8 million to SKOOKUM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS for work described as: BASE TRANSPORTATION OPS & MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. The contract value of $5.8 million over two years represents a significant investment in base transportation operations and maintenance. 2. As a sole-source award, the absence of a competitive bidding process raises questions about potential price efficiencies. 3. The contractor, Skookum Educational Programs, has a history of receiving federal contracts, warranting a review of past performance. 4. Facilities Support Services are critical for maintaining operational readiness and infrastructure at naval installations. 5. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, but the lack of competition limits benchmarking. 6. The geographic location in North Carolina is noted, but specific installation details are not provided.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.8 million for two years of facilities support services is substantial. Without a competitive process, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or similar contracts. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of competition means the government may not be achieving the best possible value. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of services to other facilities support contracts and assessing the contractor's historical pricing trends.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Skookum Educational Programs, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to drive down prices and ensure the most cost-effective solution. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances, they generally result in less price discovery and potentially higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure. The government did not have the opportunity to compare multiple offers to ensure the best value was obtained.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Navy, which receives essential base transportation operations and maintenance services. The contract ensures the continued functioning and upkeep of facilities critical for naval operations. Services are geographically focused in North Carolina, supporting local infrastructure and potentially local employment. The contract supports the workforce employed by Skookum Educational Programs, contributing to employment in the facilities support sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
Sole-source awards can reduce transparency in government spending.
Performance details and specific deliverables are not fully elaborated, making outcome assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to Skookum Educational Programs, which may have a specific mission or capability.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration of two years allows for stable service provision.

Sector Analysis

The Facilities Support Services sector is a broad category encompassing a wide range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of government and commercial properties. This includes everything from janitorial services and landscaping to specialized maintenance and base operations. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, driven by the need to maintain extensive infrastructure across various agencies. This contract, focusing on base transportation operations and maintenance, fits within this larger sector by ensuring the operational readiness of critical transportation-related facilities.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not provided for this contract. As a sole-source award, it is less likely to have been specifically set aside for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore unclear, and there is no explicit indication of opportunities for small business participation through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. As a purchase order, it would typically fall under the purview of the contracting agency's internal oversight and the relevant Inspector General's office. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award, making it harder for the public to scrutinize the value and necessity of the contract. Accountability would primarily rest with the Department of the Navy to ensure the contractor meets the terms of the agreement.

Related Government Programs

Base Operations Support Services
Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Transportation Infrastructure Support
Government Services Administration (GSA) Contracts
Department of Defense Facilities Management

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for non-competitive pricing.
Limited transparency on specific service deliverables and performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $5.8 million to SKOOKUM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. BASE TRANSPORTATION OPS & MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SKOOKUM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of Skookum Educational Programs in receiving and performing on federal contracts, particularly those related to facilities support?

Skookum Educational Programs has a history of receiving federal contracts, often through sole-source or limited competition awards. Their primary focus appears to be on providing services that align with their mission, which may include vocational training and employment for individuals with disabilities. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts would involve reviewing contract close-out reports, any documented performance issues or commendations, and their overall financial stability. Without specific contract history data, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record beyond the fact that they are a recurring recipient of federal funding for services.

How does the pricing of this $5.8 million contract compare to similar facilities support contracts awarded by the Department of the Navy or other federal agencies?

Direct comparison of pricing is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this award and the lack of detailed service scope. Typically, competitive bidding allows for price benchmarking against multiple proposals. To assess value, one would need to identify comparable contracts for base transportation operations and maintenance services, considering factors like geographic location, contract duration, specific services included (e.g., maintenance, repair, logistics), and the size and complexity of the facilities. Without such comparable data, it's difficult to determine if the $5.8 million represents a fair market price or if efficiencies were missed due to the lack of competition.

What are the specific risks associated with awarding a facilities support contract on a sole-source basis, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through competition, as the government loses the benefit of market forces driving down costs. There's also a risk of reduced innovation and less incentive for the contractor to perform exceptionally if they are the only option. Mitigation strategies often involve rigorous justification for the sole-source award, detailed scope of work definition, and potentially negotiating specific performance metrics or price adjustments. However, the data provided does not detail these mitigation efforts, leaving the assessment of risk mitigation incomplete.

What is the expected effectiveness of Skookum Educational Programs in delivering 'BASE TRANSPORTATION OPS & MAINTENANCE' services based on their known capabilities and past performance?

The effectiveness of Skookum Educational Programs in delivering 'BASE TRANSPORTATION OPS & MAINTENANCE' hinges on their specific expertise and resources dedicated to this function. While they are known to receive federal contracts, their core mission may not be solely focused on transportation operations. Assessing effectiveness would require examining their past performance on similar contracts, their technical capabilities, staffing levels, and any quality control measures they employ. The fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes them to deliver efficiently, but the lack of competition means the government relies heavily on their self-reported capabilities and past general performance rather than a proven competitive advantage for this specific service.

How has federal spending on 'BASE TRANSPORTATION OPS & MAINTENANCE' and 'Facilities Support Services' evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit within that trend?

Federal spending on 'BASE TRANSPORTATION OPS & MAINTENANCE' and broader 'Facilities Support Services' has historically been substantial, driven by the extensive infrastructure needs of agencies like the Department of Defense. Trends often reflect overall defense spending, infrastructure modernization initiatives, and the outsourcing of support services. This $5.8 million contract represents a specific allocation within these broader categories. To understand its place in the trend, one would need to analyze historical spending data for similar services, noting any increases or decreases in contract awards, average contract values, and the prevalence of competitive versus sole-source procurements in this domain over the last five years.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: M6700124Q0015

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4525 AUTO CENTER WAY, BREMERTON, WA, 98312

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: $5,812,666

Exercised Options: $5,812,666

Current Obligation: $5,812,666

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline