National Archives awarded $11.8M facilities support services contract to Texas A&M University

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,840,208 ($11.8M)

Contractor: Texas a & M University

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2008-01-01

End Date: 2014-06-03

Contract Duration: 2,345 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RFP NAMA-07-R-0015

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS County, TEXAS, 77843

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $11.8 million to TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY for work described as: RFP NAMA-07-R-0015 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 2. Long contract duration of 2345 days suggests a need for stable, long-term support. 3. The award to a university may indicate a focus on specialized research or academic support. 4. Lack of competition limits opportunities for market-driven price discovery. 5. The contract's value is moderate within the context of federal facilities management. 6. Performance is managed by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $11.8 million over its duration averages to about $1.5 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar facilities support services contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, given the sole-source nature, it's difficult to assess if the pricing represents optimal value for money compared to what a competitive bidding process might yield. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the government reimburses allowable costs, which can sometimes lead to less stringent cost control if not closely monitored.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This typically occurs when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the requirement. The lack of competition means that potential cost savings that could arise from a bidding process were not realized. It also limits the government's ability to explore a wider range of service providers and innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a higher price than necessary due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, there is less assurance that the negotiated cost reflects the best possible value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which receives essential facilities support services. Services likely include maintenance, operations, and potentially specialized support for NARA facilities. The geographic impact is centered in Texas, where Texas A&M University is located and presumably where services are rendered. The contract supports the operational infrastructure of a key federal agency, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of historical records.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential value for taxpayers.
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics could pose a risk if needs change.
The 'COST NO FEE' contract type requires robust oversight to ensure cost reasonableness.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable university suggests a focus on specialized expertise.
Long-term contract provides stability for essential facilities operations.
DCAA oversight indicates a level of financial scrutiny.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services fall under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of service providers, from large corporations to specialized firms and academic institutions. The market size for federal facilities management is substantial, encompassing maintenance, repair, operations, and custodial services across numerous government installations. This contract with Texas A&M University represents a specific instance of outsourcing these critical functions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to a large university suggests that the scope of work was likely beyond the capacity or specialization of most small businesses in this particular service area.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Oversight is further supported by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), which likely reviews costs and financial aspects. Transparency is dependent on NARA's reporting practices and public availability of contract details. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically fall under NARA's IG.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Management Contracts
University Research Support Contracts
National Archives and Records Administration Operations

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Cost-reimbursable contract type requires strong oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $11.8 million to TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY. RFP NAMA-07-R-0015

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 $11.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-01-01. End: 2014-06-03.

What specific facilities support services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Facilities Support Services' (NAICS code 561210) awarded to Texas A&M University. However, the specific details of these services are not itemized in the given data. Typically, facilities support services can encompass a broad range of activities including building operations and maintenance, custodial services, groundskeeping, security, space management, and potentially specialized support related to the unique needs of the contracting agency. For the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), this could involve climate control for archival storage, specialized security for sensitive records, and general upkeep of facilities housing historical documents. A deeper dive into the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) would be necessary to ascertain the precise deliverables.

How does the $11.8 million contract value compare to similar facilities support contracts awarded by NARA or other agencies?

The total contract value of $11.8 million over its approximately 6.5-year duration (2345 days) equates to an average annual value of roughly $1.8 million. Comparing this to similar contracts is challenging without more granular data on the scope and scale of services. However, federal facilities support contracts can range significantly in value, from smaller, localized maintenance agreements to massive, comprehensive service contracts for large agency headquarters or installations. Given that this is a sole-source award to a university, it might be for specialized services rather than broad-spectrum facilities management. Without comparable sole-source contracts or competitive bids for similar services, it's difficult to definitively benchmark the value.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source award for facilities support services?

The primary risk of a sole-source award for facilities support services is the potential for reduced value for money. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price, and the government lacks the benefit of comparing proposals from multiple vendors. This can lead to higher costs for taxpayers. Additionally, sole-source awards can limit the government's access to innovative solutions or specialized expertise that might be offered by other qualified contractors. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most efficient or effective provider if a competitive process had been conducted. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the significance of Texas A&M University being awarded this contract?

The award to Texas A&M University suggests that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) sought specialized expertise or a unique capability that they believed was best met by an academic institution. Universities often possess research capabilities, specialized technical knowledge, or unique facilities that align with specific government needs. In the context of facilities support, this could imply services related to research infrastructure, specialized environmental controls for sensitive materials, or perhaps even support for archival science research. It deviates from the typical award to a traditional facilities management company, indicating a potentially niche requirement.

What oversight mechanisms are in place for this 'COST NO FEE' contract?

The contract type 'COST NO FEE' (CNF) means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but the contractor does not receive a fee or profit. This type of contract is typically used when the scope of work is uncertain or when the contractor is a non-profit organization or government entity where profit is not an objective. Oversight for a CNF contract is critical to ensure that all reimbursed costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable according to federal acquisition regulations. The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) is involved, suggesting financial audits and cost reviews. The contracting agency, NARA, would also be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring adherence to the contract's terms and conditions.

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: 750 AGRONOMY RD STE 2701, COLLEGE STATION, TX, 10

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,840,208

Exercised Options: $11,840,208

Current Obligation: $11,840,208

Timeline