NGA awards $236K dry cleaning contract to Imperial Valet Service, Inc. for 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $236,085 ($236.1K)

Contractor: Imperial Valet Service, Inc

Awarding Agency: National Gallery of Art

Start Date: 2024-07-29

End Date: 2029-07-28

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $129/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DRY CLEANING CONTRACT FOR NGA EMPLOYEES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20565

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Gallery of Art obligated $236,084.98 to IMPERIAL VALET SERVICE, INC for work described as: DRY CLEANING CONTRACT FOR NGA EMPLOYEES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential services for NGA employees, ensuring professional appearance. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage costs and provides budget certainty. 4. Contract duration of five years offers stability for service provision. 5. Service area is limited to the District of Columbia, focusing on local needs. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating a focus on larger or specialized providers.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $236,084.98 over five years averages to approximately $47,217 per year. Without specific benchmarks for dry cleaning services for government employees, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the price appears reasonable for a dedicated service contract of this duration and scope, covering a specific location.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While not a large number, it implies that the National Gallery of Art sought multiple options to ensure a fair price and suitable provider.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

NGA employees benefit from convenient and professional dry cleaning services. The contract ensures a consistent standard of appearance for NGA personnel. Services are geographically focused within the District of Columbia. The contract supports a private sector business providing specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition with only two bidders could potentially lead to higher prices than a more robustly contested market.
The contract's duration might lock in pricing that could become unfavorable if market rates decrease significantly over the five years.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, which is a positive indicator for fair pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency and taxpayer.
The contractor has secured a multi-year award, suggesting a level of reliability and capability.

Sector Analysis

The dry cleaning and laundry services sector is a mature industry with numerous providers, ranging from small local businesses to larger commercial operations. Government contracts for such services are typically awarded based on price, quality, and reliability. This contract fits within the broader 'Commercial Services' category, with specific application to employee support services within a federal agency.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a business that met the criteria for full and open competition, and small businesses were not specifically targeted for this particular contract vehicle.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Gallery of Art is responsible for overseeing this contract. As a firm-fixed-price contract, the primary oversight would focus on ensuring the delivery of services as specified in the contract terms and conditions. The agency's contracting officer and relevant program managers would monitor performance and compliance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases.

Related Government Programs

Federal Employee Support Services
Government Facility Maintenance Contracts
Commercial Services Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition observed (2 bidders)
Potential for price inflexibility over a 5-year term

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Gallery of Art awarded $236,084.98 to IMPERIAL VALET SERVICE, INC. DRY CLEANING CONTRACT FOR NGA EMPLOYEES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IMPERIAL VALET SERVICE, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Gallery of Art (National Gallery of Art).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $236,084.98.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-29. End: 2029-07-28.

What is the historical spending pattern for dry cleaning services at the National Gallery of Art?

The provided data only details the current contract award of $236,084.98 for five years. To assess historical spending patterns, one would need access to previous contract awards for similar services by the National Gallery of Art. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for prior contracts with the same or similar Product Service Codes (PSCs) awarded to the NGA. Analyzing past spending would reveal trends in contract values, durations, awardees, and competition levels, allowing for a comparison to the current award and identification of any significant deviations or consistent patterns in procurement strategy and cost.

How does the per-year cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar services?

The annual cost for this contract is approximately $47,217 ($236,084.98 / 5 years). Benchmarking this against industry rates for commercial dry cleaning services for a large organization requires detailed market research. Factors such as the volume of items, types of garments, turnaround time, pick-up/delivery frequency, and specific cleaning requirements (e.g., specialized treatments) significantly influence pricing. Without specific details on the service volume and requirements, a precise comparison is challenging. However, for a dedicated service to a government agency in the DC area, this annual figure may be within a reasonable range, assuming a substantial number of employees utilize the service regularly.

What is the track record of Imperial Valet Service, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information on Imperial Valet Service, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require searching federal procurement databases (e.g., SAM.gov, FPDS) for past awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their past performance, including timeliness, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms on previous government engagements, is crucial for evaluating their reliability and capability to fulfill the current National Gallery of Art contract effectively.

What are the specific services included in the 'Drycleaning and Laundry Services' PSC?

The Product Service Code (PSC) 812320, 'Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated),' typically encompasses a range of services related to the cleaning and pressing of garments and textiles. This includes professional dry cleaning, laundering, pressing, and minor repairs for clothing and linens. It generally excludes services provided through self-service coin-operated facilities. For this contract with the National Gallery of Art, it likely covers the cleaning of uniforms, professional attire, or other specific items required by NGA employees, provided through a pick-up and delivery service rather than on-site facilities.

What is the potential impact of a five-year contract term on price flexibility?

A five-year contract term provides price stability for the National Gallery of Art, as the firm-fixed-price structure locks in the cost for the duration. This is beneficial for budgeting and predictability. However, it also limits the agency's ability to benefit from potential market price reductions that might occur over the five years. Conversely, it protects the contractor from potential cost increases in labor, materials, or operations. The agency assumes the risk of potentially overpaying if market rates decline, while the contractor is protected from cost escalations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Drycleaning and Laundry Services › Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated)

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 333011-24-CFC-0024

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1333 CONNECTICUT AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $619,972

Exercised Options: $237,052

Current Obligation: $236,085

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline