Interior Department awards $3.79M janitorial contract to Enchanted Maid Service, competing under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,920 ($37.9K)

Contractor: Enchanted Maid Service

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-05-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,156 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MN-SHERBURNE NWR-JANITORIAL SERVICES - BASE PLUS 4 OPTION YEARS

Place of Performance

Location: ZIMMERMAN, SHERBURNE County, MINNESOTA, 55398

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $37,920 to ENCHANTED MAID SERVICE for work described as: MN-SHERBURNE NWR-JANITORIAL SERVICES - BASE PLUS 4 OPTION YEARS Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.79M over base plus 4 option years indicates a sustained need for janitorial services. 2. Competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) suggests a focus on smaller, readily available contracts. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor for cost overruns. 4. Awarded to Enchanted Maid Service, a single contractor, highlighting potential concentration. 5. The contract duration of 1156 days (approx. 3.17 years) provides a stable service period. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561720 confirms the service category is Janitorial Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking janitorial services can be challenging without specific scope details. However, a total contract value of $3.79M over approximately three years for janitorial services at a federal facility suggests a moderate level of spending. Without comparable contract data for similar facilities or detailed service requirements, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure is standard and aims for cost predictability, but the ultimate value depends on service quality and efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition than sole-source or limited sources, but may not reach the same level of extensive outreach as full and open competition for larger contracts. The data indicates 8 bids were received, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition within the SAP framework. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring a reasonable price for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition level indicates that taxpayers likely benefited from competitive pricing due to multiple bids, even within the SAP process.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from maintained cleanliness and hygiene at its facilities. Janitorial services ensure a safe and presentable working environment for federal employees. The contract supports local employment through the janitorial service provider. Geographic impact is localized to the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor over-reliance given the single award.
Scope creep could increase costs if not managed tightly under the firm-fixed-price structure.
Dependence on a single vendor for essential facility maintenance.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Multiple bids received indicate a competitive process within SAP.
Contract duration offers stability in service provision.

Sector Analysis

The janitorial services sector is a mature and competitive market, often characterized by a mix of large facility management companies and smaller, specialized service providers. Federal contracts for janitorial services fall under NAICS code 561720. Spending in this area is consistent across various federal agencies to maintain government facilities. While specific market size data for federal janitorial contracts is not readily available, it represents a stable segment of the broader facilities maintenance industry.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it provide information on subcontracting plans. However, the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) often favors small business participation. Without explicit set-aside information, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though the competition itself may have included small business entities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officer and program managers. Accountability is managed through the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to meet defined service levels. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Government Facility Cleaning Services
Department of the Interior Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues
Lack of detailed historical spending data
Limited insight into specific service scope for value assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $37,920 to ENCHANTED MAID SERVICE. MN-SHERBURNE NWR-JANITORIAL SERVICES - BASE PLUS 4 OPTION YEARS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENCHANTED MAID SERVICE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $37,920.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for janitorial services at MN-SHERBURNE NWR?

Historical spending data for janitorial services specifically at the MN-SHERBURNE NWR is not provided in the given data. The current award of $3.79M over approximately 3.17 years represents the most recent and significant known expenditure for these services. To understand historical patterns, one would need to access previous contract awards or task orders for janitorial services at this specific location. Without this historical context, it's difficult to determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to prior periods. Analyzing past solicitations and awards for this refuge could reveal trends in contract values, durations, and competition levels over time.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar federal janitorial contracts?

A precise per-unit cost comparison is not feasible with the provided data, as the scope of services and the specific units of measure (e.g., square footage cleaned per hour, cost per building, cost per service visit) are not detailed. The total contract value is $3.79 million over approximately 1156 days. To benchmark effectively, we would need to know the total square footage of the facilities serviced, the frequency of cleaning, and the specific services included (e.g., dusting, vacuuming, restroom sanitation, trash removal). Comparing this total value to contracts of similar size and scope at other federal facilities would be the next step. However, without that granular detail, any comparison remains speculative.

What is the track record of Enchanted Maid Service with federal contracts?

The provided data indicates that Enchanted Maid Service is the awardee of this specific contract. However, it does not offer insight into their broader track record with federal contracts. To assess their performance history, one would need to search federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for other contracts awarded to this entity. Key aspects to investigate would include the number of previous federal awards, their values, contract types, performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A strong track record with successful past performance would generally indicate lower risk for this current award.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract award?

The primary risks associated with this contract award include potential over-reliance on a single contractor, especially if Enchanted Maid Service has a limited history with federal work or a small operational capacity. Given the firm-fixed-price structure, there's a risk of scope creep if the government's needs evolve and are not managed through formal contract modifications, potentially leading to disputes or unmet requirements. Another risk could be the contractor's ability to maintain consistent service quality over the contract's duration, particularly if they face staffing challenges or increased operational costs. Finally, the effectiveness of oversight by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

How does the competition level (8 bids) impact the value for taxpayers?

Receiving 8 bids under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) is a positive indicator for taxpayers. A higher number of bids generally leads to more competitive pricing as contractors vie for the award. This increased competition helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for the janitorial services. It suggests that the solicitation was accessible and attractive to multiple potential providers, allowing for better price discovery in the market. While SAP has its own set of rules, the level of competition here implies that market forces are at play, which typically benefits the taxpayer through cost savings compared to a sole-source or very limited competition scenario.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Janitorial Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140FS223Q0060

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 28533 143RD ST NW, ZIMMERMAN, MN, 55398

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $63,850

Exercised Options: $37,920

Current Obligation: $37,920

Actual Outlays: $32,599

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline