DOT's $3.1M Janitorial Contract Awarded to Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. for Indiana Facilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,092,970 ($3.1M)

Contractor: Unique Cleaning Service, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2022-09-21

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,287 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONSOLIDATED JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR MULTIPLE FACILITIES WITHIN THE INDIANAPOLIS DISTRICT

Place of Performance

Location: INDIANAPOLIS, MARION County, INDIANA, 46241

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $3.1 million to UNIQUE CLEANING SERVICE, INC. for work described as: CONSOLIDATED JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR MULTIPLE FACILITIES WITHIN THE INDIANAPOLIS DISTRICT Key points: 1. The contract value of $3.1 million over its period of performance suggests a moderate level of investment for janitorial services across multiple facilities. 2. The procurement method, 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicates a competitive process was intended, though the specific exclusion details warrant further review. 3. The award to a single contractor, Unique Cleaning Service, Inc., for a multi-year period suggests a focus on consolidating janitorial needs. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, shifting performance risk to the contractor. 5. The contract duration of approximately 3.5 years (1287 days) allows for stable service delivery but also requires ongoing performance monitoring. 6. The geographic focus on Indiana is a key parameter, potentially limiting broader market comparisons for this specific award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $3.1 million over 1287 days translates to roughly $2,400 per day for janitorial services across multiple facilities. Benchmarking this against similar multi-facility janitorial contracts is challenging without more specific details on the size and scope of each facility. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests the government has negotiated a set price for defined services, aiming for value. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work and service levels to industry standards and other government contracts for similar facility types and sizes.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' with 12 bidders participating. While 'full and open' implies broad solicitation, the 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests specific criteria or limitations were applied, potentially narrowing the competitive pool. The presence of 12 bidders indicates a degree of market interest, but the specific reasons for excluding certain sources could impact the breadth of competition and potentially the final price achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: With 12 bidders, the competition level appears reasonable, suggesting that taxpayers likely benefited from a competitive bidding process that helped to establish a fair market price for these janitorial services.

Public Impact

Federal employees and visitors to multiple Department of Transportation facilities within the Indianapolis district will benefit from maintained cleanliness and hygiene. Essential janitorial and cleaning services will be delivered to ensure safe and sanitary working environments. The geographic impact is concentrated within Indiana, specifically the Indianapolis district. The contract supports jobs within the janitorial services sector, likely benefiting local workers in Indiana.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the procurement method requires scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.
The firm-fixed-price contract, while providing cost certainty, places the burden of cost overruns on the contractor, which could indirectly affect service quality if not managed effectively.
The multi-year duration necessitates robust performance monitoring to ensure consistent service quality throughout the contract term.

Positive Signals

The award resulted from a competitive process with 12 bidders, indicating market interest and a degree of price discovery.
The firm-fixed-price contract type offers budget predictability for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Consolidating janitorial services across multiple facilities can lead to administrative efficiencies and potentially better service integration.

Sector Analysis

The janitorial services sector is a significant part of the facilities management industry, characterized by numerous small and large providers. Federal contracts for these services are common across various agencies and geographic locations. The market size for federal janitorial contracts is substantial, driven by the government's extensive real estate portfolio. This contract fits within the broader category of facility support services, where competition is often robust, though specialized requirements or geographic concentration can influence dynamics. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed based on square footage, service frequency, and specific cleaning standards.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Furthermore, the 'sb' flag being false suggests that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may not be a primary focus or requirement of this specific award. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a division of the Department of Transportation. Performance monitoring, quality assurance checks, and invoice approvals are standard oversight mechanisms. Accountability is ensured through the contract terms, including performance standards and the firm-fixed-price structure. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed inspection reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Facility Maintenance Contracts
Department of Transportation Building Operations
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for Cleaning Services
Janitorial Services for Federal Buildings

Risk Flags

Potential for reduced service quality due to FFP structure over long term.
Need to verify rationale and impact of 'Exclusion of Sources' on competition.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Geographic concentration limits broad market benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $3.1 million to UNIQUE CLEANING SERVICE, INC.. CONSOLIDATED JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR MULTIPLE FACILITIES WITHIN THE INDIANAPOLIS 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 $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-21. End: 2026-03-31.

What specific services are included in the 'CONSOLIDATED JANITORIAL SERVICES' and what are the performance standards?

The provided data does not detail the specific services included in the 'CONSOLIDATED JANITORIAL SERVICES' beyond the general category of 'Janitorial Services.' Typically, such contracts encompass routine cleaning tasks like dusting, vacuuming, mopping, restroom sanitation, trash removal, and window cleaning for multiple facilities. Performance standards are crucial for ensuring quality and would usually be outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). These standards define the frequency of services, the required level of cleanliness (e.g., using specific cleaning agents, achieving certain hygiene levels), and response times for issues. Without the SOW/PWS, a precise assessment of the service scope and quality expectations is not possible.

How does the contract value of $3.1 million compare to similar janitorial contracts for federal facilities of comparable size and scope?

Directly comparing the $3.1 million contract value without knowing the exact number, size, and type of facilities covered makes precise benchmarking difficult. However, the average daily cost is approximately $2,400 ($3.1M / 1287 days). This figure needs to be contextualized by the square footage, geographic location (labor costs vary significantly), and the intensity of services required (e.g., high-traffic areas, specialized cleaning needs). For large federal complexes or multiple smaller facilities, this value could be within a reasonable range. A more accurate comparison would involve analyzing contracts for similar numbers of buildings, total square footage cleaned, and the specific service levels mandated by the Performance Work Statement.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for janitorial services over a 3.5-year period?

The primary risk with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract is that the contractor may cut corners on service quality to maintain profitability if their costs increase unexpectedly over the long term. For janitorial services, this could manifest as reduced frequency of cleaning, use of lower-quality supplies, or less thorough work. While the government has price certainty, ensuring consistent performance quality requires robust contract administration and performance monitoring. The contractor bears the risk of cost overruns due to inflation, labor cost increases, or unforeseen operational challenges. Conversely, if the contractor is highly efficient, they retain the profit, which is the intended incentive of FFP contracts.

What does the 'Exclusion of Sources' clause imply about the competition for this contract?

The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause, when used in conjunction with 'Full and Open Competition,' suggests that while the solicitation was generally open, specific types of offerors or sources were intentionally excluded based on predefined criteria. This could be due to reasons such as past performance issues with certain contractors, specific technical requirements that only a subset of the market could meet, or socioeconomic program considerations. While 12 bidders participated, the exclusion might have limited the pool of potential competitors, potentially impacting the level of price competition achieved. Understanding the rationale behind the exclusion is key to assessing its full impact on value for taxpayers.

What is the track record of Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. in performing federal contracts, particularly for janitorial services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. in performing federal contracts is not provided in the data. To assess their reliability and past performance, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for details on their previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A positive track record with similar federal janitorial contracts would increase confidence in their ability to meet the requirements of this new award.

How does the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561720 (Janitorial Services) typically perform in terms of contract competition and pricing within the federal government?

NAICS code 561720, 'Janitorial Services,' generally represents a market with a high number of small and medium-sized businesses, leading to often robust competition for federal contracts. This is reflected in the 12 bidders for this specific contract. The competitive nature typically helps drive prices down, benefiting taxpayers. However, larger, multi-facility contracts or those requiring specialized services (e.g., healthcare cleaning, cleanroom maintenance) might see fewer, more specialized bidders. The firm-fixed-price structure is common and appropriate for well-defined janitorial services, allowing agencies to manage budgets effectively while placing performance risk on the contractor.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 697DCK-22-R-00441

Offers Received: 12

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: $3,093,061

Exercised Options: $3,092,970

Current Obligation: $3,092,970

Actual Outlays: $2,936,650

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline