Agriculture Department awards $895K contract for real estate appraisal services in Tennessee

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $89,500 ($89.5K)

Contractor: Barber and Mann Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2021-09-16

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,506 days

Daily Burn Rate: $59/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AREA WIDE MARKET ANALYSIS REPORT (AWMA) - TN

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37203

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $89,500 to BARBER AND MANN INC for work described as: AREA WIDE MARKET ANALYSIS REPORT (AWMA) - TN Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Barber and Mann Inc. for offices of real estate appraisers. 2. The contract has a duration of 1506 days, spanning from September 2021 to October 2025. 3. This is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, indicating a set cost for the services. 4. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 531320, indicating real estate appraisal services. 6. The contract is for services within Tennessee, specifically identified by state code TN.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $895,000 over approximately four years suggests a moderate annual spend for real estate appraisal services. Without specific benchmarks for similar large-scale appraisal contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. Further analysis would require comparing the per-appraisal cost or the cost per square foot appraised against industry standards or other government contracts for similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally allows for broader competition than sole-source or limited solicitations. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is designed to encourage competition for contracts below certain dollar thresholds. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple firms had the opportunity to bid, which should contribute to price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a more competitive bidding environment, which can lead to lower prices and better quality services compared to non-competitive awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Agriculture's Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, which require real estate appraisal expertise. The services delivered involve the professional assessment of real estate values, crucial for various agricultural programs and land management decisions. The geographic impact is focused on Tennessee (TN), indicating a need for local market knowledge and appraisal expertise within that state. The contract supports the real estate appraisal industry by providing work for qualified professionals and firms.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or quality indicators in the provided data.
Potential for cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond initial estimates, despite the fixed-price nature.
Dependence on a single contractor (Barber and Mann Inc.) for a critical service in a specific region.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Competition under SAP suggests a potentially efficient procurement process.
Contract duration allows for consistent service delivery over a defined period.

Sector Analysis

The real estate appraisal sector is a specialized service industry that supports various government functions, including land acquisition, property management, and program compliance. The Department of Agriculture's need for these services, particularly in relation to agricultural land and facilities, is a common requirement. The market for appraisal services is often localized, with firms possessing expertise in specific geographic regions. This contract fits within the broader professional services category, with spending benchmarks varying significantly based on the complexity and scale of the properties being appraised.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if Barber and Mann Inc. is a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses cannot be determined from this information. Further investigation into the contractor's size status and any subcontracting plans would be necessary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. As a purchase order competed under SAP, the level of formal oversight might be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, but detailed performance reviews or Inspector General involvement would depend on specific performance issues or audit triggers.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Real Estate Services
Department of Defense Real Estate Appraisals
Department of the Interior Land Appraisals
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Appraisal Standards

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep despite fixed-price contract.
Dependence on contractor for specialized regional expertise.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $89,500 to BARBER AND MANN INC. AREA WIDE MARKET ANALYSIS REPORT (AWMA) - TN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BARBER AND MANN INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $89,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-16. End: 2025-10-31.

What is the track record of Barber and Mann Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for appraisal services?

Information regarding Barber and Mann Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially for real estate appraisal services, is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their reliability and past performance, a review of their contract history with federal agencies, including contract values, performance ratings, and any past disputes or terminations, would be necessary. Databases like SAM.gov or FPDS can provide insights into a contractor's federal award history. Understanding their experience with similar scope and scale of work for agencies like the Department of Agriculture would be crucial for evaluating their suitability for this contract.

How does the $895,000 contract value compare to similar real estate appraisal contracts awarded by the Department of Agriculture or other federal agencies?

The $895,000 contract value for real estate appraisal services in Tennessee, spanning over four years, represents a moderate investment. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against similar contracts awarded by the Department of Agriculture or other agencies for comparable services. Factors such as the number of appraisals, the complexity of the properties (e.g., agricultural land vs. commercial buildings), and the geographic scope influence cost. Without access to a database of comparable contracts, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract and the performance of Barber and Mann Inc.?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for real estate appraisal services, KPIs might include timeliness of report delivery, accuracy of valuations, adherence to appraisal standards (e.g., USPAP), client satisfaction, and compliance with contract terms. The Department of Agriculture's contracting officer would be responsible for monitoring these aspects. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance objectively. A review of the full contract statement of work would likely contain these performance metrics.

What is the historical spending pattern for real estate appraisal services by the Department of Agriculture in Tennessee or similar regions?

Historical spending patterns for real estate appraisal services by the Department of Agriculture in Tennessee or similar regions are not detailed in the provided data. To establish such a pattern, one would need to analyze past contract awards for appraisal services within the specified geographic area and agency. This analysis would involve looking at the frequency, value, and duration of previous contracts, as well as the contractors involved. Understanding historical spending can help identify trends, potential cost efficiencies, or areas where spending may have increased or decreased over time, providing context for the current $895,000 award.

Are there any identified risks associated with Barber and Mann Inc. as a contractor for this specific service?

The provided data does not explicitly identify any risks associated with Barber and Mann Inc. as a contractor for this specific service. A comprehensive risk assessment would require reviewing their past performance history, financial stability, any past legal or contractual disputes, and their capacity to meet the demands of the contract. Given that the contract was competed under SAP, it suggests a level of confidence in the procurement process. However, potential risks could include delays in service delivery, quality issues with appraisals, or unforeseen cost increases if the scope changes, although the firm-fixed-price nature mitigates some cost risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Real Estate and Rental and Leasing › Activities Related to Real Estate › Offices of Real Estate Appraisers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12FPC421Q0029

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 453 NORTHPARK DR, RIDGELAND, MS, 39157

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $89,500

Exercised Options: $89,500

Current Obligation: $89,500

Actual Outlays: $89,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline