Garten Services, Inc. awarded $26K task order for building washing at Wayne Morse Courthouse

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,322 ($26.3K)

Contractor: Garten Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 175 days

Daily Burn Rate: $150/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR BUILDING WASHING AT WAYNE MORSE COURTHOUSE, EUGENE, OR

Place of Performance

Location: EUGENE, LANE County, OREGON, 97401

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $26,321.75 to GARTEN SERVICES, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR BUILDING WASHING AT WAYNE MORSE COURTHOUSE, EUGENE, OR Key points: 1. The contract value appears to be a reasonable amount for specialized cleaning services. 2. The award was not competed, raising questions about potential price discovery. 3. The short duration suggests a focused scope of work, potentially limiting long-term risk. 4. The service falls under janitorial services, a common category within federal facilities management. 5. The contractor's track record and past performance are not detailed in the provided data. 6. The fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $26,321.75 for building washing services over approximately five months seems within a reasonable range for specialized cleaning. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark against market rates or determine if the government received the best possible value. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost predictability, but the lack of competition prevents a thorough assessment of pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a 'not available for competition' delivery order. This indicates that the contracting agency, the General Services Administration (GSA), did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. The reasons for this sole-source award are not provided, but it limits the opportunity for price negotiation and potentially excludes more competitive offers. The lack of competition means that the government may not have achieved the most favorable pricing or service terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have benefited from the cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process. The absence of multiple bids prevents price discovery and could lead to a higher-than-market price for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the occupants and visitors of the Wayne Morse Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon, who will experience improved facility aesthetics and hygiene. The service delivered is building washing, a specific maintenance task aimed at preserving the exterior appearance and integrity of the federal building. The geographic impact is localized to Eugene, Oregon, where the Wayne Morse Courthouse is situated. There are no immediate workforce implications indicated, as the contract is for a specific service rather than ongoing employment generation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and missed opportunities for better value.
The absence of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality of services provided.
Limited contract duration might indicate a need for more comprehensive or frequent services not captured here.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
The service addresses a clear need for facility maintenance, contributing to the upkeep of federal property.
The award is to a specific company, Garten Services, Inc., indicating a known entity is performing the work.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader facilities maintenance and janitorial services sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of service providers, from small local businesses to large national corporations. Federal spending in this area is consistent, supporting the upkeep of numerous government-owned and leased properties across the country. Benchmarking this specific contract is challenging without more data on the scope of 'building washing' and prevailing local rates for such specialized cleaning.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb flags) is false for this specific award. Therefore, this contract does not appear to be a small business set-aside. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans or the impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular task order.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service, which manages federal real estate. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the firm fixed-price contract and the delivery order requirements. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award and the lack of detailed justification. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Janitorial Services Contracts
GSA Facility Management
Courthouse Maintenance

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Lack of competitive bidding limits price discovery
Limited data on contractor past performance
Scope of 'building washing' is not precisely defined

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $26,321.75 to GARTEN SERVICES, INC.. TASK ORDER FOR BUILDING WASHING AT WAYNE MORSE COURTHOUSE, EUGENE, OR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GARTEN SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26,321.75.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Garten Services, Inc. with federal contracts?

The provided data does not include information on Garten Services, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts. To assess their past performance, one would need to review their contract history, including previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any instances of contract disputes or terminations. Without this historical data, it is difficult to gauge their reliability and effectiveness in fulfilling government requirements. Further research into federal procurement databases would be necessary to build a comprehensive profile of the contractor's experience and performance.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar building washing services?

Benchmarking the value of this $26,321.75 contract for building washing is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and the type of building. 'Building washing' can range from simple exterior window cleaning to comprehensive pressure washing of entire facades. Given the contract duration of approximately five months (late April to late September 2026), it suggests a recurring or seasonal service rather than a one-time deep clean. The lack of competitive bidding also hinders direct price comparison. However, for specialized cleaning services on a federal facility, this amount appears to be within a plausible range, assuming it covers a defined scope and frequency.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for the government to not receive the best value. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price or the highest quality service. This can lead to overpayment compared to what might have been achieved through a competitive process. Another risk is the lack of transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award, which could mask underlying issues or inefficiencies in the procurement process. Furthermore, if Garten Services, Inc. has a limited track record or poor past performance, the government faces execution risk.

How effective is the General Services Administration (GSA) in managing janitorial service contracts?

The GSA manages a vast portfolio of federal real estate and procures a wide array of facility maintenance services, including janitorial and cleaning contracts. Their effectiveness can vary depending on the specific contract, the contracting officers involved, and the oversight mechanisms in place. GSA generally aims to achieve value and compliance through established procurement procedures and performance management systems. However, like any large organization, challenges can arise, particularly with sole-source awards where competition is absent, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness. Evaluating GSA's overall effectiveness would require analyzing aggregated data across numerous contracts and performance metrics.

What is the historical spending pattern for building washing services at the Wayne Morse Courthouse?

The provided data does not contain historical spending patterns for building washing services specifically at the Wayne Morse Courthouse. This single task order represents a snapshot of spending for a defined period. To understand historical spending, one would need to access procurement records for previous years, identifying any prior contracts for similar services at this specific location, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Without this historical context, it is impossible to determine if current spending is consistent with past trends, increasing, or decreasing.

What are the implications of the fixed-price contract type for this service?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as indicated for this task order, means that the contractor, Garten Services, Inc., is obligated to perform the work for a predetermined price, regardless of the actual costs incurred. This provides the government with cost certainty and shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For services like building washing, where the scope is relatively well-defined, an FFP contract is generally appropriate. It simplifies administration and budgeting. The primary implication is that the government's cost is fixed, but it also means they may not benefit if the contractor's actual costs are significantly lower than anticipated.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 500 HAWTHORNE AVE SE, SALEM, OR, 97301

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,322

Exercised Options: $26,322

Current Obligation: $26,322

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PL0222D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline