Department of the Army awards $9.4M facilities maintenance contract to Supports for Living Inc. at West Point

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,420,337 ($9.4M)

Contractor: Access: Supports for Living Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CUSTODIAL AND FACILITY MAINTENANCE SERVICES AT THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY PREPARATORY SCHOOL, WEST POINT, NEW YORK

Place of Performance

Location: WEST POINT, ORANGE County, NEW YORK, 10996

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $9.4 million to ACCESS: SUPPORTS FOR LIVING INC. for work described as: CUSTODIAL AND FACILITY MAINTENANCE SERVICES AT THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY PREPARATORY SCHOOL, WEST POINT, NEW YORK Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Duration of 1460 days suggests a need for stable, long-term service provision. 3. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. Services are critical for the operational readiness of the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School. 5. Geographic concentration in New York may indicate regional service delivery focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $9.4 million over approximately four years for custodial and facility maintenance at a military preparatory school appears within a reasonable range for such specialized services. However, without direct benchmarks for comparable military installations or specific service scope details, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty but relies on the contractor's efficiency to ensure value. The awarded amount is significantly higher than the reported benchmark of $6.45 million, suggesting potential overpricing or a broader scope than the benchmark.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source is available or in the interest of national security. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a range of proposals and potentially lower prices that could arise from a competitive bidding process. This limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions or secure the most cost-effective option.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price, as competitive pressures that drive down costs are absent.

Public Impact

Students and staff at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School benefit from a well-maintained and sanitary learning and living environment. Ensures the operational continuity and readiness of a key military training institution. Services are geographically concentrated at West Point, New York. Supports jobs within the facilities maintenance and custodial services sector in the local New York area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing, potentially increasing costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to sole-source nature.
The awarded amount significantly exceeds the provided benchmark, raising concerns about cost-effectiveness.
Contract duration of four years may lock the government into a potentially suboptimal arrangement if market conditions change.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract shifts performance risk to the contractor, ensuring cost certainty for the government.
Contract supports a critical educational and training facility for the military.
Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery and contractor planning.

Sector Analysis

The facilities support services sector is a significant part of the broader commercial services industry, encompassing a wide range of activities from cleaning and maintenance to groundskeeping and repair. Government contracts in this area are common, supporting federal agencies, military bases, and public institutions. The market is generally competitive, but specific needs at specialized locations like military academies can sometimes lead to sole-source or limited competition awards. Benchmarking spending in this sector often involves comparing contract values against the scope of services, facility size, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The contractor, Supports for Living Inc., is not identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this contract are likely limited unless they are directly engaged by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse. Performance monitoring would be conducted by the government's contracting officer's representative (COR) to ensure services meet the contract requirements.

Related Government Programs

Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Custodial Services
Military Base Support Services
Department of Defense Contracts
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules (if applicable)

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Significant price difference from benchmark
Lack of detailed scope of work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $9.4 million to ACCESS: SUPPORTS FOR LIVING INC.. CUSTODIAL AND FACILITY MAINTENANCE SERVICES AT THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY PREPARATORY SCHOOL, WEST POINT, NEW YORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCESS: SUPPORTS FOR LIVING INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the specific scope of 'Custodial and Facility Maintenance Services' covered under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of 'Custodial and Facility Maintenance Services.' Typically, these services encompass routine cleaning, waste management, pest control, minor repairs, groundskeeping, and general upkeep of buildings and facilities. For the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, this would likely include barracks, classrooms, administrative buildings, and common areas. A comprehensive understanding of the scope is crucial for accurately benchmarking the contract's value and assessing performance. Without this detail, the $9.4 million award is difficult to contextualize against industry standards or similar government contracts.

How does the awarded amount of $9.4 million compare to the provided benchmark of $6.45 million?

The awarded contract value of $9.42 million is approximately 46% higher than the provided benchmark of $6.45 million. This significant difference warrants further investigation. Potential reasons for this discrepancy include a broader scope of services in the awarded contract compared to the benchmark, differences in service levels or quality requirements, inflation over time if the benchmark is historical, or simply that the benchmark was not an accurate or relevant comparison for this specific procurement. Given the sole-source nature, it is also possible that the lack of competition contributed to a higher negotiated price.

What are the specific reasons cited for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 outlines the policies for contracting without full and open competition. Common justifications include that only one responsible source exists with the unique capability to meet the requirement, or that an urgent need exists that cannot be met through competition. Without the specific justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A), the precise rationale remains unknown. This lack of competition is a key factor in assessing the overall value and risk.

What is the track record of Supports for Living Inc. in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the track record of Supports for Living Inc. in performing similar government contracts is not provided in the data. A thorough analysis would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), previous contract awards, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Understanding their experience with federal facilities maintenance, particularly in a military or educational setting, is essential for assessing their capability to successfully execute this contract and manage associated risks. Without this information, the assessment relies heavily on the contract terms and general industry knowledge.

What are the potential risks associated with a four-year firm-fixed-price contract for facilities maintenance?

A four-year firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract for facilities maintenance presents several potential risks. For the government, the primary risk is that the fixed price may become uncompetitive over the contract's life if market rates decrease or if the contractor becomes inefficient. If the scope of work significantly changes, change orders could increase the total cost. For the contractor, the risk lies in accurately estimating all costs over four years; unforeseen increases in labor, materials, or regulatory compliance could erode profit margins. However, FFP also incentivizes the contractor to control costs and operate efficiently to maximize profit, which can be a benefit if managed well.

How does this contract fit within the broader spending patterns for facilities support services at military installations?

This contract represents a specific instance of federal spending within the broader category of facilities support services, which is a substantial component of the Department of Defense's operational budget. Military installations require extensive maintenance to ensure readiness and habitability. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on infrastructure age, modernization efforts, and base realignment decisions. While this $9.4 million contract is significant for the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, it is one of many such contracts across the DoD. Benchmarking requires comparing its value relative to the size and complexity of the facility it serves, as well as the specific services included, against similar contracts at other military educational or training facilities.

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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W911SD22R0099

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15 FORTUNE RD W, MIDDLETOWN, NY, 10941

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,032,436

Exercised Options: $9,492,022

Current Obligation: $9,420,337

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline