SSA Spends $17.8M on Grounds Maintenance with The Arc Baltimore, Inc. for Landscaping Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,809,849 ($17.8M)
Contractor: THE ARC Baltimore, Inc
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2007-10-01
End Date: 2017-08-25
Contract Duration: 3,616 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE HQS
Place of Performance
Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $17.8 million to THE ARC BALTIMORE, INC for work described as: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE HQS Key points: 1. Significant long-term contract awarded for grounds maintenance. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Contract duration of over 9 years suggests a stable, ongoing need. 4. The Arc Baltimore, Inc. is a non-profit organization, potentially impacting cost structure.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $17.8M over 3616 days averages to approximately $4,925 per day. Without specific service details or benchmarks for grounds maintenance of this scale, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing. However, the daily average appears reasonable for comprehensive services.
Cost Per Unit: $4,925/day
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competitive bidding. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing available in the market.
Public Impact
Taxpayers funded extensive grounds maintenance services over a decade. The award to a non-profit organization may align with social objectives but warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness. Long-term contracts can provide stability but reduce opportunities for market-driven cost reductions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Award to a non-profit organization
- Consistent service provision over many years
Sector Analysis
Grounds maintenance, including landscaping, falls under facilities support services. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the size and complexity of the area maintained. Government contracts for such services are common.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete or if this service category is typically dominated by larger entities.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration and sole-source nature of this contract suggest a need for robust oversight to ensure continued value and adherence to terms. Regular performance reviews and cost audits would be essential.
Related Government Programs
- Landscaping Services
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Long contract duration may forgo potential cost savings from market fluctuations.
- Lack of detailed service scope makes value assessment difficult.
- Potential for overpayment due to absence of competitive pressure.
Tags
landscaping-services, social-security-administration, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $17.8 million to THE ARC BALTIMORE, INC. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE HQS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE ARC BALTIMORE, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-10-01. End: 2017-08-25.
What specific grounds maintenance services were included in this contract, and how do they compare to industry standards for similar facilities?
The provided data classifies the service as 'Landscaping Services' under 'Grounds Maintenance'. However, the specifics of the services rendered (e.g., mowing, tree care, snow removal, irrigation) are not detailed. A comprehensive comparison to industry standards would require a detailed scope of work and pricing breakdown to assess if the $17.8M expenditure represents fair value for the services provided over the contract's 10-year lifespan.
Were there any attempts to solicit competitive bids, or were there documented justifications for the sole-source award?
The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source award. Without further documentation, the justification for this approach remains unclear. Typically, sole-source awards require a strong rationale, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs, to ensure taxpayer funds are used responsibly and competitively.
How did the performance and cost-effectiveness of The Arc Baltimore, Inc. compare to potential alternatives over the contract's duration?
Given the sole-source nature, a direct performance and cost comparison to alternatives is inherently limited. While the contract spanned a decade, suggesting satisfactory performance, the lack of competition prevents an assessment of whether alternative providers could have offered better value or more innovative solutions. Post-contract analysis or market research would be needed to gauge potential savings.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: SSA-RFP-08-1005
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7215 YORK RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21212
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,370,908
Exercised Options: $17,809,849
Current Obligation: $17,809,849
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-10-01
Current End Date: 2017-08-25
Potential End Date: 2017-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-07-21
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