Texas A&M University receives $10.1M for Bush Library operations, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,103,407 ($10.1M)

Contractor: Texas a & M University

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2005-12-14

End Date: 2008-02-07

Contract Duration: 785 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY O&M

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS County, TEXAS, 77845

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $10.1 million to TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY for work described as: GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY O&M Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Operations and maintenance services for a presidential library. 3. Duration of 785 days suggests a stable, ongoing need. 4. Award value of over $10 million indicates significant resource allocation. 5. Services fall under Facilities Support, a common government function. 6. No indication of small business participation or set-asides. 7. Contract type is 'Cost No Fee', implying reimbursement of costs without additional profit. 8. Geographic location in Texas is specific to the library's site.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's 'Cost No Fee' structure means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred in performing the services. While this can ensure essential services are met, it offers limited incentive for cost efficiency. Benchmarking the value is difficult without comparable sole-source contracts for similar facilities. The absence of competition means there's no direct market comparison to assess if the costs incurred are truly at fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Texas A&M University, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process. Without competition, there's no mechanism to ensure the lowest possible price or to explore innovative solutions from multiple providers. The justification for a sole-source award would typically involve unique capabilities or circumstances not available from other sources.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value due to the lack of competitive pressure to drive down costs. The absence of multiple bids means the price is determined by the contractor's cost structure and the government's negotiation, rather than market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which is responsible for the library's operations. Services delivered include the ongoing maintenance and operational support for the George Bush Presidential Library. The geographic impact is localized to College Station, Texas, where the library is situated. Workforce implications are likely internal to Texas A&M University, which manages the facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Lack of competition may reduce incentives for operational efficiency.
Cost-reimbursement contract type without profit margin requires careful monitoring of expenditures.
No clear mechanism for performance benchmarking against industry standards.

Positive Signals

Ensures continuity of essential operations for a significant national asset.
Leverages existing institutional knowledge and infrastructure of Texas A&M University.
Specific focus on facilities support services for a unique type of institution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically for the operation and maintenance of a specialized government facility. Presidential libraries are unique assets requiring tailored support. While the broader facilities management market is competitive, contracts for specific, unique institutions like presidential libraries often present different dynamics, sometimes leaning towards sole-source or limited competition due to specialized requirements or existing relationships.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included any small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As a sole-source award to a large university system, the focus was likely on fulfilling the operational needs of the library directly, rather than on broader economic development goals through small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). As a sole-source award, scrutiny would focus on the allowability and reasonableness of costs incurred by Texas A&M University. Transparency is limited by the lack of public bid data, but NARA's internal audit and compliance functions would be responsible for ensuring adherence to the contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Presidential Libraries Operations
National Archives and Records Administration Facilities Management
University-Affiliated Service Contracts
Cost-Reimbursement Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive transparency.
Cost-reimbursement contract requires diligent cost oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $10.1 million to TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY. GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY O&M

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-12-14. End: 2008-02-07.

What is the historical spending trend for the George Bush Presidential Library's operations and maintenance?

Analyzing historical spending for the George Bush Presidential Library's operations and maintenance is crucial for understanding cost trends and identifying potential anomalies. While this specific contract data shows an award of $10.1 million over approximately 785 days (about 2.1 years), it represents a snapshot. To assess trends, one would need to examine prior contracts for the same services, looking at annual spending, cost escalation rates, and any significant changes in service scope or contract type. Without access to historical contract databases or NARA's budget allocations specifically for this library, a comprehensive trend analysis is not possible. However, the current award suggests a consistent, substantial funding requirement for maintaining such a facility.

How does the cost per day for operating the Bush Library compare to other presidential libraries?

Calculating a precise cost per day requires detailed operational expense data beyond the contract award amount. The $10.1 million award over 785 days yields a daily rate of approximately $12,871 ($10,103,407 / 785 days). However, this figure represents the total contract value and may not reflect actual daily operational expenditures, which would include staffing, utilities, security, and programming. Comparing this to other presidential libraries is challenging due to varying contract structures, funding models (some may rely more on endowments or private donations), and the scope of services covered. Presidential libraries generally incur significant costs for preservation, archival management, public access, and facility upkeep. A true comparison would necessitate a standardized breakdown of operational costs across all libraries, which is not readily available in public contract data.

What specific facilities support services are included in this contract?

The contract specifies 'Facilities Support Services' (NAICS code 561210) for the George Bush Presidential Library. This broad category typically encompasses a range of activities necessary for the upkeep and operation of a physical facility. These services often include routine maintenance (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), janitorial services, groundskeeping, waste management, pest control, and potentially security system maintenance. For a presidential library, it could also extend to specialized environmental controls for archival storage, building system monitoring, and minor repairs. The 'Cost No Fee' structure implies that Texas A&M University will be reimbursed for the direct costs associated with providing these essential support functions to ensure the library remains operational and its collections are preserved.

What is Texas A&M University's track record in managing large-scale facilities contracts?

Texas A&M University, as a major research institution, has extensive experience in managing large-scale facilities and complex operations. Universities routinely handle maintenance, construction, utilities, and support services for vast campuses. Their track record in managing such contracts is generally robust, characterized by established procurement processes, in-house expertise, and experience with regulatory compliance. For this specific contract, Texas A&M is likely leveraging its existing infrastructure and personnel to provide the required support for the George Bush Presidential Library. Their long-standing relationship with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for library operations suggests a proven ability to meet the specific needs of such a unique federal asset.

Are there any performance metrics or KPIs associated with this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly detail performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, given the nature of facilities support services and the 'Cost No Fee' contract type, performance is typically monitored through adherence to service level agreements (SLAs), maintenance schedules, response times for issues, and overall facility condition assessments. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) would be responsible for overseeing Texas A&M University's performance to ensure the library's operational integrity and the preservation of its collections. Regular inspections, reporting requirements, and potentially user feedback (from NARA staff or library visitors) would serve as informal performance indicators.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Texas A&M University System (UEI: 042915991)

Address: 213 COKE BLDG 1260 TAMU, COLLEGE STATION, TX, 10

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,103,407

Exercised Options: $10,103,407

Current Obligation: $10,103,407

Timeline