Army Dining Facility Operations Contract Awarded to South Carolina Commission for the Blind for $41.2M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,264,224 ($41.3M)

Contractor: South Carolina Commission for Blind

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $113.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL SUPERVISION, LABOR, PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES TO PERFORM ACTIVITIES THAT COMPRISE THE FULL OPERATION OF AN ARMY DINING FACILITY.

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, RICHLAND County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29207

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $41.3 million to SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR BLIND for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL SUPERVISION, LABOR, PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES TO PERFORM ACTIVITIES THAT COMPRISE THE FULL OPERATION OF AN ARMY DINING FACILITY. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on full operation of an Army dining facility, including all labor and supplies. 2. Awarded to a state commission, potentially indicating a unique or specialized provider. 3. The contract is for a 1-year term, with a firm fixed price structure. 4. No specific competition details are available, raising questions about price discovery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $41.2M for a 1-year operation of a dining facility appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale food service contracts would be necessary to assess if this pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' suggesting a limited or sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces competitive pressure, which could impact overall value.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Ensures continued food service operations for Army personnel. Potential impact on local employment in South Carolina through the Commission for the Blind. The specific nature of the award warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Limited transparency on pricing justification

Positive Signals

  • Supports a state commission, potentially fulfilling a social or economic objective
  • Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Food Service Contractors (NAICS 722310). Spending in this sector is generally stable, driven by institutional needs like military bases, schools, and hospitals. Benchmarks would typically focus on per-meal costs or per-person-day costs.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is a state commission, not a typical small business. Analysis of small business participation is not applicable in this context unless subcontracting opportunities are identified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the contractor meets all performance requirements and that the firm fixed price remains justified throughout the contract term, especially given the limited competition.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for inflated costs due to limited price discovery
  • Absence of clear performance metrics in the provided data
  • Need for robust oversight to ensure service quality and value

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $41.3 million to SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR BLIND. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL SUPERVISION, LABOR, PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES TO PERFORM ACTIVITIES THAT COMPRISE THE FULL OPERATION OF AN ARMY DINING FACILITY.

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 $41.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the justification for awarding this contract without competition, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?

The justification for awarding this contract without competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such awards require a detailed justification, such as a sole-source justification or a determination of inadequacy of competition. Without this information, it's impossible to assess how the price was determined to be fair and reasonable, highlighting a potential oversight gap.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this dining facility operation, and how will they be monitored to ensure service quality?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the dining facility operations. Effective oversight would require clearly defined KPIs related to food quality, service timeliness, sanitation, and customer satisfaction. Regular monitoring and reporting against these KPIs are essential to ensure the contractor delivers the required services effectively and taxpayers receive good value.

Are there opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors under this contract, and if so, how are they being tracked?

The awardee is the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, which is not a typical small business entity. Therefore, the standard analysis of small business participation as prime contractors is not directly applicable. However, it would be prudent to investigate if there are any subcontracting opportunities available to small businesses within the scope of this large dining facility operation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food ServicesSpecial Food ServicesFood Service Contractors

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITYOPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1430 CONFEDERATE AVE, COLUMBIA, SC, 29201

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,264,224

Exercised Options: $41,264,224

Current Obligation: $41,264,224

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9124C25DA003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2025-09-01

Current End Date: 2026-08-31

Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-01-08

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