Army Food Services Contract Awarded to SC Commission for Blind for $76.4M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $76,360,607 ($76.4M)

Contractor: South Carolina Commission for Blind

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-04-01

End Date: 2013-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,217 days

Daily Burn Rate: $62.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARMY FULL FOOD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, RICHLAND County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29207, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $76.4 million to SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR BLIND for work described as: ARMY FULL FOOD SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a non-profit organization, potentially impacting market competition. 2. Significant contract value of $76.4 million over 1217 days. 3. Cost Plus Award Fee contract type may incentivize performance but requires careful oversight. 4. NAICS code 722310 indicates Food Service Contractors, a common sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed effectively. Benchmarking against similar food service contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government received the best possible price for these food services.

Public Impact

Ensures food services for Army personnel, impacting morale and readiness. Award to a specific commission may raise questions about equitable distribution of federal funds. Potential for job creation within South Carolina through this contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Cost Plus Award Fee structure
  • Award to a non-profit entity without clear justification for sole-sourcing

Positive Signals

  • Potential for dedicated service from a specialized organization

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Food Service Contractors sector. Spending in this sector is generally stable, driven by institutional needs like military bases, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Benchmarks vary widely based on service scope and location.

Small Business Impact

The award was made to the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, a non-profit organization, not a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting opportunities within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure performance targets are met and costs are reasonable. The sole-source nature of the award warrants scrutiny to confirm necessity and fairness.

Related Government Programs

  • Food Service Contractors
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
  • Cost Plus Award Fee can inflate costs without strict oversight.
  • Lack of transparency in award justification.
  • Potential for higher taxpayer burden due to non-competed contract.

Tags

food-service-contractors, department-of-defense, sc, dca, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $76.4 million to SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR BLIND. ARMY FULL FOOD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR BLIND.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $76.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-04-01. End: 2013-07-31.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis instead of through full and open competition?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical. Typically, such awards are made when only one responsible source can provide the required services, or in cases of urgent need. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if the government acted prudently and obtained fair value.

How does the performance of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind compare to industry benchmarks for food service contracts?

Assessing performance against industry benchmarks requires specific metrics outlined in the contract's award fee structure. Without access to performance reports and detailed cost data, it's challenging to determine if the commission is delivering services effectively and efficiently relative to market standards.

What is the estimated cost savings or benefit of awarding this contract to a non-profit organization versus a for-profit entity?

The benefit of awarding to a non-profit like the SC Commission for the Blind could be tied to its mission, potentially aligning with social or economic development goals. However, without competitive bidding, it's impossible to quantify potential cost savings compared to what a for-profit entity might have offered.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food ServicesSpecial Food ServicesFood Service Contractors

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPINGHOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W9124710R0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: South Carolina, State of (UEI: 067006072)

Address: 1430 CONFEDERATE AVE, COLUMBIA, SC, 29201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $157,034,516

Exercised Options: $154,705,208

Current Obligation: $76,360,607

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-04-01

Current End Date: 2013-07-31

Potential End Date: 2013-07-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2017-05-18

More Contracts from South Carolina Commission for Blind

View all South Carolina Commission for Blind federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending