DoD's $23.7M Mess Attendant Services Contract Awarded to Rice Services, Inc. for 5 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,685,237 ($23.7M)

Contractor: Rice Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-03-29

End Date: 2022-03-28

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF MESS ATTENDANT SERVICES - BASE YEAR

Place of Performance

Location: ANNAPOLIS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21402

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.7 million to RICE SERVICES, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF MESS ATTENDANT SERVICES - BASE YEAR Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential food service support, indicating a consistent need for these services within the Department of Defense. 2. The contract's duration of 5 years suggests a long-term requirement and potential for stable service provision. 3. The award value of over $23 million over five years warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness and comparison with industry benchmarks. 4. The procurement method, 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' requires careful examination to ensure fair opportunity and prevent undue restrictions. 5. Performance context is crucial to understand if the services met the DoD's operational needs and quality standards. 6. Sector positioning within Food Service Contractors (NAICS 722310) places this contract within a competitive but specialized market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $23,685,236.80 over five years equates to approximately $4.74 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale food service contracts for government facilities is necessary to determine value for money. Without specific details on the scope of services (e.g., number of personnel, hours, specific locations), a precise comparison is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty for the government, though it may limit flexibility if requirements change significantly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This specific procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of eligible bidders. The number of bidders (16) suggests a reasonable level of interest, but the exclusion clause needs to be understood to assess if it unduly restricted competition and potentially impacted price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of certain sources, even with 16 bidders, raises questions about whether taxpayers received the most competitive pricing possible. A more open competition might have yielded lower bids.

Public Impact

Military personnel and staff at the specified Department of the Navy locations benefit from maintained cleanliness and hygiene in dining facilities. The contract ensures the provision of mess attendant services, contributing to the operational readiness and morale of service members. Geographic impact is concentrated within the specific Navy installations where the services are rendered, likely in Maryland (ST: MD, SN: MARYLAND). Workforce implications include the creation of jobs for mess attendants, supervisors, and potentially support staff, primarily within the local economy near the installations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the competition method needs further investigation to ensure it was justified and did not limit fair competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the quality and effectiveness of the services rendered.
The contract's significant value necessitates robust oversight to prevent cost overruns or service deficiencies over its five-year term.

Positive Signals

The award to a single contractor (Rice Services, Inc.) suggests a potentially streamlined management process for the government.
The high number of bidders (16) indicates significant market interest and a competitive environment prior to source exclusion.
The Firm Fixed Price contract type provides budget predictability for the Department of Defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Food Service Contractors industry, a segment of the broader facilities support services market. This sector is characterized by labor-intensive operations and often involves significant competition, particularly for government contracts. The market size for government food services is substantial, driven by the needs of military bases, federal agencies, and other public institutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale food service contracts awarded by the DoD or other federal agencies for similar operational support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (SB: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. While the prime contractor is not identified as a small business, there is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or actual subcontracting to small businesses. This contract's size and nature might offer opportunities for small businesses in specialized support roles, but without specific subcontracting goals or reporting, their impact remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the Department of the Navy installation. The contract's Firm Fixed Price nature simplifies some aspects of financial oversight, focusing more on performance and service delivery. Accountability measures would be tied to contract terms, service level agreements, and potential penalties for non-performance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Food Service Contracts
Federal Food Service Management
Government Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Mess Hall Operations Support
Navy Base Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Risk of performance degradation over a long contract term.
Uncertainty regarding cost-effectiveness without detailed benchmarking.
Need for robust oversight to ensure service quality and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.7 million to RICE SERVICES, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF MESS ATTENDANT SERVICES - BASE YEAR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RICE SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-03-29. End: 2022-03-28.

What specific services are included under 'Mess Attendant Services' for this contract?

Mess attendant services typically encompass a range of tasks related to the operation and cleanliness of dining facilities. This includes setting tables, serving food, clearing dishes, cleaning dining areas, maintaining hygiene standards, and potentially assisting with food preparation or setup. For this specific Department of the Navy contract, the exact scope would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW). Given the contract value and duration, it likely covers comprehensive support for multiple dining facilities or a large-scale operation, ensuring a sanitary and functional environment for service members.

How does the $23.7 million award compare to similar contracts for mess attendant services?

Direct comparison of the $23.7 million award requires access to detailed data on similar contracts, including scope, duration, location, and specific services rendered. However, as a rough estimate, this contract averages approximately $4.74 million per year. This figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts for large military installations or federal facilities. Factors like the number of personnel supported, operating hours, and geographic location significantly influence pricing. Without more granular data on comparable contracts, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average cost. The 'fair' rating suggests it's within a reasonable range but warrants further scrutiny.

What are the potential risks associated with a 5-year Firm Fixed Price contract for mess attendant services?

A significant risk with a 5-year Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract is the potential for the contractor to face challenges if costs escalate unexpectedly due to inflation, labor shortages, or unforeseen operational demands. While FFP protects the government from cost overruns, it can lead to contractor dissatisfaction or reduced service quality if margins become too thin. Conversely, if the initial pricing was overly optimistic, the government might be overpaying. Another risk is contractor performance degradation over time, especially if incentives for quality are weak or oversight is insufficient. The 'Exclusion of Sources' procurement method also introduces a risk of suboptimal competition.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method imply for this contract?

This procurement method is somewhat unusual. 'Full and Open Competition' generally means all responsible sources are permitted to submit offers. However, the addition of 'After Exclusion of Sources' indicates that specific, pre-identified sources were excluded from bidding. The justification for this exclusion is critical. It could be due to reasons like national security, proprietary technology, or prior performance issues with excluded entities. If the exclusions were not well-justified, it could be seen as unduly restricting competition, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced innovation. The fact that 16 bidders still participated suggests a reasonably competitive market, but the impact of the exclusions needs careful review.

What is the track record of Rice Services, Inc. in performing government contracts, particularly in food services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Rice Services, Inc. for this particular contract is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any past disputes or contract terminations, and the history of their awards. Their ability to successfully manage a $23.7 million, 5-year contract for mess attendant services hinges on their operational capacity, financial stability, and demonstrated commitment to quality service delivery. Further investigation into their performance history on similar government contracts is essential for a complete risk assessment.

How does the annual spending on this contract compare to overall federal spending on food services?

The annual spending of approximately $4.74 million on this specific contract represents a fraction of the total federal expenditure on food services. The U.S. government, particularly the Department of Defense, operates numerous dining facilities globally, requiring extensive food service support. Total federal spending on food services encompasses a wide array of contracts, including those for military bases, veterans' affairs hospitals, federal prisons, and other institutions. While this contract is significant for the specific Navy installations it serves, it is one component within a much larger federal procurement landscape for food-related services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Special Food Services › Food Service Contractors

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: N0018916RZ070

Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 506 W MAIN ST, SMITHVILLE, TN, 37166

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,685,237

Exercised Options: $23,685,237

Current Obligation: $23,685,237

Actual Outlays: $1,133,659

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline