DoD's $10.3M property maintenance contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. awarded in 1996

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,314,256 ($10.3M)

Contractor: Stantec Consulting Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 1996-08-29

End Date: 2009-12-29

Contract Duration: 4,870 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MAINTAIN PROPERTY

Place of Performance

Location: MARCH ARB, RIVERSIDE County, CALIFORNIA, 92518

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.3 million to STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC for work described as: MAINTAIN PROPERTY Key points: 1. Contract awarded for property maintenance services, indicating a long-term need for facility upkeep. 2. The contract spans over 13 years, suggesting consistent service delivery and a stable relationship. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, implying a broad search for qualified contractors. 4. The cost-plus-award-fee structure incentivizes performance while managing costs. 5. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, a major component of the DoD. 6. The contract's duration and value suggest a significant investment in maintaining DoD assets.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $10.3 million over nearly 13 years averages to approximately $800,000 annually. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value for money. However, the cost-plus-award-fee (CPAF) structure suggests that the government aimed to achieve good performance by offering incentives, which can sometimes lead to higher base costs but potentially better outcomes. Comparing this to similar large-scale property maintenance contracts within the DoD or other federal agencies would be necessary for a more precise assessment of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the Department of the Air Force sought proposals from all responsible sources. The presence of 15 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and a competitive environment. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery, as it allows the government to receive a range of offers and select the best value. The number of bidders implies that the market for such services is robust.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a more competitive price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. It ensured that the government explored a wide range of options to secure the most cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the Department of the Air Force, ensuring their facilities are maintained. Services delivered include property maintenance, crucial for the operational readiness and safety of military installations. The contract's geographic impact is centered in California, where the property is located. The contract likely supported a workforce involved in property management, maintenance, and related services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The long duration of the contract (over 13 years) could indicate a lack of flexibility or potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Cost-plus-award-fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if the award fee criteria are not tightly defined and monitored.
The absence of specific performance data makes it challenging to assess the true effectiveness and value delivered over the contract's lifespan.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely yielded fair pricing.
The cost-plus-award-fee structure incentivizes contractor performance, aiming for high-quality service delivery.
The contract's longevity implies a consistent need for these services and potentially a successful, long-term partnership.

Sector Analysis

The defense sector, particularly facility management and maintenance, represents a significant portion of government spending. This contract falls within the broader category of base operations support and real property maintenance, essential for the functioning of military installations. The market for such services is typically large and competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking large-scale contracts. Benchmarking this contract's value would require comparing its annual cost against similar maintenance contracts for large federal facilities, considering factors like facility size, type, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Furthermore, the prime contractor, Stantec Consulting Services Inc., is a large corporation. While large contracts can sometimes include subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, there is no explicit information here to suggest this was a focus or requirement for this particular award. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Stantec utilized small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been primarily managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. The cost-plus-award-fee structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure that the contractor meets performance objectives and that costs are reasonable and allowable. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms and potentially through the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) for cost audits. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Base Operations Support Services
Real Property Maintenance
Facilities Engineering and Maintenance
Department of Defense Construction and Architect-Engineer Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Cost-plus-award-fee structure requires careful oversight
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.3 million to STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC. MAINTAIN PROPERTY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 1996-08-29. End: 2009-12-29.

What was the specific scope of 'property maintenance' covered under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of 'property maintenance.' Typically, such contracts encompass a wide range of services including, but not limited to, routine upkeep of buildings and grounds, repair of structural components, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC maintenance, pest control, landscaping, and waste management. For this particular contract, the exact services would have been defined in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) attached to the contract award. Given the long duration and significant value, it likely covered comprehensive maintenance for a substantial portfolio of DoD properties in California.

How did Stantec Consulting Services Inc. perform under this contract, and were award fees consistently achieved?

The data indicates the contract type was 'Cost Plus Award Fee' (CPAF), which means Stantec's performance was evaluated against specific criteria, and they could earn additional fee based on that performance. However, the provided summary data does not include performance evaluations or the amount of award fees paid. To assess performance, one would need to review contract performance reports, quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs), and any documented feedback from the government's contracting officer's representative (COR). Consistent achievement of award fees would signal good performance, while low or no award fees would indicate deficiencies.

What was the total amount paid to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. over the life of the contract?

The data shows an 'Award Amount' (a) of $10,314,256. This figure typically represents the ceiling or estimated value of the contract at the time of award or modification. The actual amount paid could be higher or lower depending on the costs incurred and the award fees earned. To determine the total amount paid, one would need to access contract payment data, often available through systems like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or agency-specific financial systems, which track disbursed funds against contract line items.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar property maintenance services?

The contract's total award amount of approximately $10.3 million over nearly 13 years averages to about $793,000 per year. Benchmarking this requires comparing it to the cost of maintaining similar types and sizes of facilities within the defense sector or large commercial portfolios. Factors such as the specific types of properties (e.g., barracks, administrative buildings, specialized facilities), geographic location (California can have higher labor costs), and the scope of services (preventive vs. reactive maintenance, complexity of systems) are crucial. Without these details and comparable data, a precise benchmark is difficult, but the annual figure provides a starting point for comparison with industry cost-per-square-foot or cost-per-asset metrics.

Were there any significant contract modifications or disputes during the contract's 13-year period?

The provided summary data does not include details on contract modifications or disputes. A contract awarded in 1996 and ending in 2009, especially one with a CPAF structure and a substantial value, would likely have undergone modifications to adjust scope, funding, or contract terms over its lifespan. To identify modifications, one would need to examine the contract's official file, which would list all amendments. Similarly, information on disputes would typically be found in contract administration records or legal case databases if formal disputes arose and were pursued.

What is the typical duration for similar large-scale property maintenance contracts within the Department of the Air Force?

Large-scale property maintenance contracts within the Department of the Air Force, especially those involving comprehensive base support, can vary significantly in duration. Initial contract periods are often 1-5 years, with multiple option periods that can extend the total contract performance time considerably. Contracts like this one, which lasted over 13 years from award to completion, are not uncommon for essential services where stability and long-term planning are prioritized. However, the trend in recent years has been towards shorter base periods with more frequent re-competition to ensure market competitiveness and incorporate updated requirements.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: MWH Global, Inc. (UEI: 801927492)

Address: 365 LENNON LN, WALNUT CREEK

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,900,400

Exercised Options: $15,900,400

Current Obligation: $10,314,256

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F4162494D8090

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline