GSA awards $11.8M contract for agricultural cleaning and swine fever sanitization services to Amentum Services, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,836,588 ($11.8M)

Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-07

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AGRICULTURAL CLEANING AND AFRICAN SWINE FEVER SANITIZATION ACAS - TASK ORDER AWARD

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $11.8 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: AGRICULTURAL CLEANING AND AFRICAN SWINE FEVER SANITIZATION ACAS - TASK ORDER AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight. 3. The duration of 364 days indicates a focused, short-term need for these specialized services. 4. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, implying a pre-existing framework agreement. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized, which may limit opportunities for smaller firms in this specific award. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 488999 suggests a broad category of support activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the broader contract it falls under and the specific services rendered. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure means the final cost can vary based on performance, making direct price comparisons difficult. However, the total award amount of $11.8 million for a year of specialized cleaning and sanitization services appears to be within a reasonable range for such critical public health support, assuming the scope of work is extensive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, three participants generally allow for some price discovery and comparison among qualified offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by encouraging fair pricing and preventing inflated costs.

Public Impact

This contract directly supports the agricultural sector by providing essential cleaning and sanitization services. The services are critical for preventing the spread of African Swine Fever, a significant threat to animal health and the economy. The General Services Administration (GSA) is facilitating the procurement, ensuring efficient government operations. The geographic impact is likely national, given the nature of agricultural and animal disease control efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and award fees are justified.
The broad NAICS code may indicate a wide range of potential services, necessitating clear performance metrics.
Lack of small business participation in this specific award could be a concern for broader economic inclusion goals.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and accessible process.
The contract aims to address a critical public health and economic threat (African Swine Fever).
The GSA's involvement suggests adherence to established procurement best practices.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on support activities. The agricultural services sub-sector is vital for national biosecurity and food supply chain integrity. Comparable spending in this niche area can vary significantly based on the scale of outbreaks and preventative measures required. The $11.8 million award is a substantial investment in maintaining agricultural health standards.

Small Business Impact

This particular award was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, Amentum Services, Inc., is a large business. There is no indication of subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. This means that opportunities for small business participation on this specific task order are limited, which could impact the broader small business ecosystem if this is a recurring or significant contract type.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically employs robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including performance monitoring and financial reviews. As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight would likely be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) responsible for the parent contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics and award fee justifications may not always be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) programs
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) biosecurity initiatives
State Department of Agriculture emergency response funds
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster preparedness

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service details.
No small business set-aside noted for this award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $11.8 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. AGRICULTURAL CLEANING AND AFRICAN SWINE FEVER SANITIZATION ACAS - TASK ORDER AWARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMENTUM SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-08. End: 2026-04-07.

What is Amentum Services, Inc.'s track record with government contracts, particularly in agricultural or sanitation services?

Amentum Services, Inc. is a large government contractor with a significant portfolio across various sectors, including defense, energy, and infrastructure. While specific details on their agricultural cleaning and swine fever sanitization experience are not immediately available from this award alone, their broad capabilities suggest they possess the operational capacity for complex service delivery. A deeper dive into their contract history with agencies like the Department of Agriculture or Department of Defense would reveal their specific expertise and past performance in related fields. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any past performance questionnaires (PPQs) associated with their bids would provide further insight into their reliability and quality of service.

How does the $11.8 million cost compare to similar agricultural sanitization contracts awarded by the government?

Directly comparing the $11.8 million cost of this specific delivery order is challenging without a detailed scope of work and performance period. However, considering it's for a year of specialized services related to African Swine Fever prevention and agricultural cleaning, the amount appears substantial, reflecting the critical nature and potential complexity of the task. Larger-scale biosecurity or emergency response contracts can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with similar service requirements, duration, and geographic scope, ideally awarded under comparable competitive conditions. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure also introduces variability, meaning the final expenditure could differ from the initial estimate.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for sanitization services?

The primary risks with a CPAF contract for sanitization services revolve around cost control and performance justification. Since the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fee that includes a base amount and an award amount contingent on meeting performance objectives, there's a risk that costs could escalate if not managed tightly. Ensuring that the 'award' portion of the fee is genuinely tied to measurable, high-level performance outcomes is crucial. Without stringent oversight and clearly defined metrics, there's a potential for the government to pay higher fees than warranted. Additionally, defining 'performance objectives' in a way that is both achievable and meaningful for sanitization and disease prevention requires careful contract administration.

What is the potential effectiveness of these services in preventing the spread of African Swine Fever?

The effectiveness of these services in preventing the spread of African Swine Fever hinges entirely on the scope of work, the rigor of the sanitization protocols employed, and the geographic areas covered. If the contract mandates comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of high-risk areas such as farms, transport vehicles, and processing facilities, and if these protocols align with best practices recommended by veterinary and public health organizations (like the USDA APHIS), then the services can be highly effective. Regular, thorough application is key to disrupting transmission pathways. However, the contract's success is also dependent on the contractor's adherence to these protocols and the ability of the government to monitor and verify their effectiveness.

How has federal spending on agricultural biosecurity and animal disease prevention evolved in recent years?

Federal spending on agricultural biosecurity and animal disease prevention has generally seen an upward trend, particularly in response to emerging threats like African Swine Fever (ASF) and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Agencies like the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are primary recipients of funding dedicated to surveillance, research, response, and preparedness. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on appropriations and the perceived level of threat, there has been a recognized need to bolster these programs to protect the nation's $1.5 trillion animal agriculture industry. The GSA's role in facilitating contracts like this one underscores the ongoing commitment to maintaining these critical services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Other Support Activities for Transportation › All Other Support Activities for Transportation

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFCA24R0039

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC

Address: 4800 WESTFIELDS BLVD STE 400, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $485,571,844

Exercised Options: $87,412,856

Current Obligation: $11,836,588

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 21

Total Subaward Amount: $8,400,006

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFCA22D0158

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline