FAA awards $2.8M facilities support contract to Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. for services across Washington D.C. area

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,809,867 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Unique Cleaning Service, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2022-08-30

End Date: 2025-05-30

Contract Duration: 1,004 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE FAA HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR NON-PERSONNEL SUPPORT SERVICES TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WASHINGTON DISTRICT

Place of Performance

Location: LEESBURG, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20176

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.8 million to UNIQUE CLEANING SERVICE, INC. for work described as: THE FAA HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR NON-PERSONNEL SUPPORT SERVICES TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WASHINGTON DISTRICT Key points: 1. Contract provides essential facilities support services, ensuring operational continuity for the FAA. 2. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs for the duration of the agreement. 3. A single award suggests potential limitations in market competition or specific service requirements. 4. The contract duration of approximately 2.7 years allows for sustained service delivery. 5. Services are geographically concentrated within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. 6. The contract falls under the Facilities Support Services NAICS code, indicating a focus on building maintenance and operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.8 million over approximately 2.7 years for facilities support services appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comprehensive facilities management in the Washington D.C. area would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, but it places the financial risk on the contractor. Without detailed service breakdowns and performance metrics, a definitive assessment of exceptional value is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source contract. This indicates that the FAA likely identified a specific contractor, Unique Cleaning Service, Inc., as the only viable source for these particular services, possibly due to specialized requirements, existing infrastructure, or unique capabilities. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a broader range of proposals or potentially lower pricing that could arise from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the absence of competition removes the incentive for contractors to offer their most competitive pricing. This also limits transparency in price discovery.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from consistent and reliable facilities support services, enabling its operational functions. Services include a wide range of support functions essential for maintaining FAA facilities. The geographic impact is concentrated within multiple locations throughout the Washington District. The contract supports the workforce employed by Unique Cleaning Service, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits transparency in pricing and service delivery benchmarks.
Contract duration could lock the government into a potentially suboptimal arrangement if market conditions change.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract ensures continuity of essential facilities support services for the FAA.
Services are tailored to specific FAA locations within the Washington D.C. area.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services, categorized under NAICS code 561210, encompasses a broad range of services related to the operation and maintenance of buildings and other facilities. This sector is characterized by a mix of large, diversified companies and smaller, specialized providers. Government spending in this area is substantial, supporting the infrastructure needs of various federal agencies. The market is generally competitive, but specific requirements or geographic concentrations can sometimes lead to less open competition. Benchmarks for such services vary widely based on the scope, location, and specific tasks involved.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award. However, the prime contractor, Unique Cleaning Service, Inc., may itself be a small business, which would represent a direct award to that segment.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Federal Aviation Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. The Inspector General for the Department of Transportation may have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if concerns arise regarding waste, fraud, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Government Building Operations Support
FAA Operational Support Services
Department of Transportation Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency in procurement process.
Contract performance needs robust monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.8 million to UNIQUE CLEANING SERVICE, INC.. THE FAA HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR NON-PERSONNEL SUPPORT SERVICES TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WASHINGTON DISTRICT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIQUE CLEANING SERVICE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-30. End: 2025-05-30.

What is the track record of Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported disputes or awards. Without this data, it is difficult to ascertain their reliability, quality of service, and experience in fulfilling similar government requirements. Further investigation into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary to build a complete picture of their performance history and suitability for this sole-source award.

How does the contract value compare to market rates for similar facilities support services in the Washington D.C. area?

The contract value of $2.8 million over approximately 2.7 years for facilities support services requires detailed benchmarking against market rates for comparable services in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Factors such as the specific services included (e.g., janitorial, maintenance, landscaping, security), the square footage of facilities managed, and the level of service required significantly influence pricing. Given this is a sole-source award, direct comparison to competitively bid contracts is challenging. However, industry reports and cost estimation tools for facilities management in high-cost urban areas can provide a basis for assessing whether the pricing is reasonable, though a definitive conclusion requires more granular data on the service scope.

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

The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract award include potential overpricing due to the lack of competition, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide exceptional value, and a lack of transparency in the procurement process. There is also a risk that the specific requirements identified by the FAA may not be as unique as initially assessed, potentially leading to missed opportunities for cost savings through a competitive process. Furthermore, if the contractor's performance falters, the process of finding and transitioning to a new provider could be lengthy and disruptive, given the sole-source nature of the initial award.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in managing costs for these facilities support services?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in managing costs for services like facilities support because it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. The contractor is obligated to perform the specified work for a predetermined price, providing the government with cost certainty. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage their own costs efficiently. However, for FFP contracts, it is crucial that the scope of work is clearly defined and understood upfront to avoid disputes or change orders, which could negate the cost-control benefits. In a sole-source scenario, the initial price negotiation is critical to ensure it reflects fair market value.

What is the historical spending pattern for facilities support services by the FAA or DOT in this region?

Historical spending patterns for facilities support services by the FAA or the Department of Transportation (DOT) in the Washington D.C. region are not provided in the current data. Analyzing past expenditures on similar contracts, including their duration, value, and competition levels, would offer valuable context for this $2.8 million award. Understanding whether this contract represents an increase or decrease in spending, or a shift in service providers, would require access to historical procurement data. Such analysis could reveal trends in contracting strategies and identify potential areas for cost optimization or efficiency improvements in future procurements.

Are there any specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract. While the contract is firm-fixed-price, implying a defined scope of services, the effectiveness of the award hinges on clear expectations for service quality, response times, and operational standards. Without explicit SLAs, it can be challenging for the FAA to objectively measure the contractor's performance and ensure that the facilities are maintained to the required standards. Robust performance monitoring mechanisms are essential, regardless of the contract type, to ensure value for taxpayer money.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 697DCK-22-R-00466

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1640 POWERS FERRY RD SE, MARIETTA, GA, 30067

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,756,675

Exercised Options: $3,784,981

Current Obligation: $2,809,867

Actual Outlays: $2,772,743

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline