DOI awards $23.4M for USGS facilities maintenance to Chenega Tri-Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,387,404 ($23.4M)

Contractor: Chenega Tri-Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-06-01

End Date: 2025-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,886 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: USGS NATIONAL CENTER FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20192

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $23.4 million to CHENEGA TRI-SERVICES, LLC for work described as: USGS NATIONAL CENTER FACILITIES MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. Contract value of $23.4M over 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend for facilities support. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources indicates a competitive process with specific justifications. 3. The contract's duration of 1886 days (approx. 5 years) allows for long-term planning and service continuity. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 5. The award to Chenega Tri-Services, LLC, requires assessment of their past performance and capacity for this scope. 6. Services fall under Facilities Support Services (NAICS 561210), a common category for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $23.4M over approximately five years averages to about $4.7M annually. Benchmarking this against similar facilities support contracts for federal agencies of comparable size and scope is necessary to determine value for money. Without specific details on the services provided and their quality, a definitive assessment of pricing and value is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an attempt to control costs, but the ultimate value depends on the contractor's efficiency and the government's ability to manage performance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders. Understanding the rationale for this exclusion is crucial. The presence of three bidders suggests some level of competition, but the exclusion might have limited the pool and potentially impacted price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process, even if limited, as it generally drives better pricing than a sole-source award. However, the exclusion of sources warrants scrutiny to ensure no taxpayer funds were unnecessarily encumbered due to a restricted bidding environment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) facilities, ensuring operational continuity and a safe working environment for its personnel. Services delivered include comprehensive facilities support, likely encompassing maintenance, repair, operations, and potentially custodial services for USGS buildings. The geographic impact is centered around the facilities managed by the USGS, primarily within Virginia where the contract is noted. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for individuals in facilities management, maintenance, and related trades, both directly by the contractor and potentially through subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type requires further investigation to ensure full and fair competition was maintained.
Assessing Chenega Tri-Services, LLC's past performance on similar large-scale facilities maintenance contracts is critical.
The fixed-price contract type, while good for cost control, can lead to disputes if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if unforeseen issues arise.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded under full and open competition (albeit with exclusions), indicating a structured procurement process.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.
A multi-year contract (over 5 years) allows for stable service delivery and potential for building a strong working relationship with the contractor.

Sector Analysis

Facilities support services represent a significant segment of the government contracting market, encompassing a wide range of activities from routine maintenance to complex building operations. This contract fits within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Comparable spending benchmarks for federal facilities maintenance can vary widely based on the size and complexity of the facilities, but annual spending in the millions is typical for agencies like the USGS. The NAICS code 561210 covers establishments primarily engaged in operating and maintaining buildings and other facilities, on a contract or fee basis.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false for this contract. This suggests that the primary award was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting goals for small businesses mandated within the provided data. Further review of the contract's specific clauses would be needed to confirm the extent of small business involvement, but based on the initial data, direct small business set-aside benefits are not apparent.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Geological Survey's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract's performance standards and delivery requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise concerning the contract's execution or award.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Facilities Management Contracts
Department of Defense (DoD) Base Operations Support (BOS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Facilities Maintenance
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Facilities Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined under fixed-price.
Risk associated with 'exclusion of sources' potentially limiting competition.
Dependence on contractor's past performance and capacity.
Need for robust government oversight to ensure service quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $23.4 million to CHENEGA TRI-SERVICES, LLC. USGS NATIONAL CENTER FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHENEGA TRI-SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-01. End: 2025-07-31.

What is the specific scope of 'Facilities Support Services' covered under this contract?

The scope of 'Facilities Support Services' under this contract (NAICS 561210) typically encompasses a broad range of activities necessary for the operation and maintenance of government facilities. This can include, but is not limited to, routine and preventive maintenance of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing), janitorial and custodial services, groundskeeping, pest control, minor repairs and renovations, waste management, and potentially security services. The specific details would be outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) attached to the contract. For the USGS National Center, these services are critical to ensuring a functional and safe environment for scientific research and administrative operations.

How does the $23.4M contract value compare to historical spending on facilities maintenance for the USGS National Center?

To compare the $23.4M contract value to historical spending, one would need to access historical contract data for the USGS National Center's facilities maintenance. This involves querying databases like FPDS or USAspending.gov for previous contracts awarded for similar services at the same location over the past several years. The current contract spans from June 1, 2020, to July 31, 2025 (approximately 5 years and 2 months), totaling $23,387,403.82. Analyzing the annual average ($4.7M) against previous annual expenditures would reveal whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in facilities maintenance for the center. Without that historical data readily available, a direct comparison cannot be made, but the duration and total value suggest a significant, long-term commitment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Chenega Tri-Services, LLC's performance under this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a facilities support services contract like this are crucial for ensuring service quality and value. While not explicitly detailed in the provided summary data, typical KPIs would likely include metrics related to response times for service requests (e.g., emergency repairs, routine maintenance), completion rates for scheduled preventive maintenance, quality of work (e.g., cleanliness standards, effectiveness of repairs), energy efficiency targets, safety incident rates, and customer satisfaction surveys from USGS personnel. The contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) would define these KPIs, along with acceptable performance levels and any associated incentives or penalties (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS ratings).

What is the justification for the 'exclusion of sources' in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type implies that the agency initially intended to conduct a full and open competition but subsequently excluded certain potential sources based on specific criteria or circumstances. The justification for such exclusions must be documented and compliant with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6. Common reasons might include: a previous contract that was terminated for default, a contractor's failure to meet minimum responsibility standards, or specific technical requirements that only a limited number of sources could meet. Without the specific contract file documentation, the precise reason for excluding sources in this USGS contract remains unknown, but it suggests a deliberate decision to narrow the competitive field after an initial broader consideration.

What is Chenega Tri-Services, LLC's track record with federal facilities maintenance contracts of similar size and scope?

Chenega Tri-Services, LLC's track record with federal facilities maintenance contracts of similar size and scope is a critical factor in assessing their capability and the value of this award. Information on their past performance can be found in sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), which provides ratings from previous government clients. A review would focus on their experience with contracts exceeding $4-5 million annually, their performance on fixed-price contracts, their ability to manage large workforces, and their history of meeting deadlines and quality standards. Positive ratings in CPARS for similar services would indicate a lower risk and potentially better value, while negative ratings would raise concerns about the contractor's suitability and the potential for performance issues.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140G0119Q0159

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5253 PRUE RD STE 230, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78240

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,932,887

Exercised Options: $23,387,404

Current Obligation: $23,387,404

Actual Outlays: $23,285,138

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $3,529,664

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSHA19D000Q

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline