Department of the Army awards $25.5M contract for food services to Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,523,550 ($25.5M)

Contractor: Blind and Vision Impaired, Virginia Department for the

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-01-27

End Date: 2025-01-26

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $69.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BUILDING 18028

Place of Performance

Location: FORT LEE, PRINCE GEORGE County, VIRGINIA, 23801

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.5 million to BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT FOR THE for work described as: BUILDING 18028 Key points: 1. Contract value represents significant investment in essential support services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential for cost savings. 3. Performance period of one year suggests a need for ongoing service evaluation. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but flexibility may be limited. 5. Geographic focus on Virginia aligns with the mission of the awarding agency. 6. The contract's success hinges on the contractor's ability to meet service level agreements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $25.5 million for a one-year period for food services is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for food services within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies would be necessary for a comprehensive value assessment. Without comparative data on per-unit costs or service scope, it is difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of competition in this sole-source award may have prevented potential price reductions.

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 authorized by statute. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have driven down prices or offered a wider range of solutions. The rationale for this sole-source award, especially for a service like food contracting, warrants further investigation to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations and best practices.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing due to the absence of a bidding process. This could potentially lead to higher costs than if the contract had been competed among multiple vendors.

Public Impact

Service members and personnel at the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired will benefit from the provision of food services. The contract ensures the delivery of essential catering and meal preparation services. The geographic impact is concentrated within Virginia, supporting local operations. The contract supports the mission of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired by providing necessary resources.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source awards require strong justification to ensure fairness and efficiency.
Performance monitoring will be critical to ensure service quality without competitive pressure.

Positive Signals

Award to an agency supporting a vulnerable population aligns with social good objectives.
Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for planned service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The food service industry is a significant sector within government contracting, encompassing a wide range of services from basic catering to complex meal preparation for military bases, federal agencies, and healthcare facilities. This contract falls within the broader category of support services. Comparable spending benchmarks for food services can vary widely based on location, scale of operations, and specific service requirements. The Department of Defense is a major consumer of such services, with numerous contracts awarded annually to ensure the well-being of its personnel.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The award is made to a state agency, the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses related to this specific award. The focus is on the primary contractor's ability to deliver the services required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though the specifics of sole-source justifications may have limited public visibility. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Food Service Contracts
Virginia State Agency Contracts
Support Services Contracts
Federal Food Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award requires justification.
Potential for uncompetitive pricing.
Need for robust performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.5 million to BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT FOR THE. BUILDING 18028

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT FOR THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-27. End: 2025-01-26.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. Federal procurement regulations (41 U.S.C. 3304 and FAR Part 6) permit sole-source procurements under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source is capable of providing the required supplies or services, or when a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the acquisition be from a specified source. For this particular contract, the award to the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired suggests a potential statutory preference or a unique capability possessed by this agency that makes it the only viable option for the Department of the Army in this specific context. Further investigation into the contract file and relevant statutes would be required to ascertain the precise justification.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar food service contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?

Direct comparison of pricing is challenging without access to detailed cost breakdowns and service level agreements for this specific contract, as well as comparable contracts. The total award amount is $25,523,549.70 for a one-year period. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze per-meal costs, labor rates, overhead, and the scope of services (e.g., types of meals, dietary accommodations, service hours, locations). Given this is a sole-source award, it is possible that the pricing may not reflect the most competitive market rates achievable through open competition. A detailed cost analysis by the contracting officer would have been performed, but external benchmarking requires access to similar contract data, which is often proprietary or not publicly detailed.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this food service contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for a food service contract of this nature, typical KPIs and SLAs would likely include metrics related to food quality (e.g., taste, presentation, nutritional value), food safety and sanitation standards (compliance with health codes), timeliness of service (meal delivery schedules), variety of menu options, customer satisfaction (feedback surveys from service members/personnel), waste reduction, and adherence to budget. The Department of the Army would have established these metrics in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) to ensure the contractor meets the required standards throughout the performance period.

What is the historical spending pattern for food services by the Department of the Army in Virginia?

Historical spending patterns for food services by the Department of the Army in Virginia are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to access federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) and filter for contracts awarded by the Department of the Army within the geographic scope of Virginia, categorized under NAICS code 722310 (Food Service Contractors) or similar service codes, over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the number of competitors involved in similar procurements, helping to contextualize the current $25.5 million award.

What is the track record of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired as a federal contractor, particularly in food services?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired as a federal contractor. As a state agency, its primary mission is likely focused on serving the blind and visually impaired population within Virginia. Its participation in federal contracting, especially for a service like food provision, would need to be assessed based on its past performance, demonstrated capabilities, and any previous federal awards. Information regarding its experience, past performance evaluations, and any prior contracts with the Department of Defense or other federal entities would be crucial to evaluating its suitability and reliability for this role.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Special Food Services › Food Service Contractors

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE 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

Parent Company: James Madison University

Address: 397 AZALEA AVE, RICHMOND, VA, 23227

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,876,312

Exercised Options: $27,876,312

Current Obligation: $25,523,550

Actual Outlays: $2,982,713

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W5168W23D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline