DHS awards $4.17M for janitorial and mess services at Air Station Clearwater, a non-competed contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,165,684 ($4.2M)

Contractor: Global Connections to Employment, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-06-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,309 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AWARD FOR JANITORIAL AND MESS SERVICES AT AIR STATION CLEARWATER.

Place of Performance

Location: CLEARWATER, PINELLAS County, FLORIDA, 33762

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.2 million to GLOBAL CONNECTIONS TO EMPLOYMENT, INC. for work described as: AWARD FOR JANITORIAL AND MESS SERVICES AT AIR STATION CLEARWATER. Key points: 1. The contract value of $4.17 million for janitorial and mess services appears reasonable for a multi-year facility support contract. 2. The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value for taxpayer dollars. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, which is generally positive. 4. The contract duration of 1309 days (over 3.5 years) provides stability but also extends the period of limited competition. 5. The services are essential for the operational readiness of Air Station Clearwater. 6. The contractor, Global Connections to Employment, Inc., is responsible for delivering these critical support functions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking janitorial and mess services is challenging without specific service levels and location-specific labor costs. However, a $4.17 million award over approximately 3.5 years for a facility of this nature is not inherently excessive. The lack of competition, however, prevents a robust assessment of whether this represents the best possible value. Without comparative bids, it's difficult to definitively state if the pricing is optimal or if taxpayers are receiving maximum value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is listed as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. While the specific justification for not competing is not provided, the 'DEFINITIVE CONTRACT' designation suggests it was likely awarded through a process that did not involve open competition. The absence of multiple bidders means there was no direct price comparison to drive down costs, potentially leading to a higher price than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may have paid more than necessary for these essential services. Without a competitive bidding process, there is less assurance that the selected contractor offered the most cost-effective solution available in the market.

Public Impact

Personnel at Air Station Clearwater benefit from a clean and functional working environment, supporting morale and operational efficiency. The contract ensures the provision of essential janitorial and mess hall services, directly impacting the daily lives of service members and staff. The geographic impact is localized to Clearwater, Florida, where Air Station Clearwater is located. The contract supports jobs through the prime contractor, Global Connections to Employment, Inc., and potentially through its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation warrants further investigation into the justification for sole-source award.
Limited transparency into the specific performance metrics and quality control measures for janitorial and mess services.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type effectively transfers performance risk to the contractor.
The contract provides essential services necessary for the operation of a Coast Guard air station.
The contractor, Global Connections to Employment, Inc., is tasked with delivering these critical support functions.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services, categorized under NAICS code 561210, encompass a broad range of services including building operation and maintenance. This sector is characterized by numerous providers, from small local businesses to large national corporations. Government contracts for these services are common across various agencies and installations. The market size is substantial, with significant annual federal spending dedicated to maintaining government facilities. This contract fits within the broader landscape of facility maintenance and operational support for federal installations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false) and there is no indication of a small business set-aside (ss: false). Therefore, this contract does not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, so the impact on the small business ecosystem through subcontracting opportunities is unknown.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Coast Guard, a component of the Department of Homeland Security. The agency is responsible for monitoring contractor performance to ensure compliance with the contract terms and service level agreements. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, where the contractor is responsible for delivering services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency would be enhanced by public access to performance reports and any associated Inspector General findings, though such details are not provided here.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Support Services
U.S. Coast Guard Operational Support
Janitorial Services Contracts
Mess Hall Operations Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Sole-Source Award Justification Unclear
Potential for Overpricing Due to Non-Competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $4.2 million to GLOBAL CONNECTIONS TO EMPLOYMENT, INC.. AWARD FOR JANITORIAL AND MESS SERVICES AT AIR STATION CLEARWATER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL CONNECTIONS TO EMPLOYMENT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and awarded as a 'DEFINITIVE CONTRACT'. However, the specific justification for not conducting a competitive procurement is not detailed in the available information. Typically, sole-source awards require a justification, such as the unavailability of other sources, a critical need, or a specific requirement that only one contractor can meet. Without this justification, it is difficult to assess the necessity of bypassing the competitive process and whether it was in the government's best interest.

How does the awarded price compare to similar janitorial and mess services contracts at other Coast Guard or DHS facilities?

A direct comparison of the awarded price of $4.17 million for janitorial and mess services at Air Station Clearwater to similar contracts is challenging without detailed service scope, location-specific labor rates, and contract duration. However, the contract spans approximately 3.5 years, suggesting an average annual cost of roughly $1.19 million. This figure needs to be evaluated against the size and operational tempo of the air station. A comprehensive benchmark would require analyzing contracts with comparable facility sizes, service requirements, and geographic cost-of-living indices to determine if this award represents fair and reasonable pricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for this janitorial and mess services contract. Essential details such as cleaning frequencies, quality standards for sanitation, food service requirements, and response times for issues are not included. These metrics are crucial for assessing the contractor's performance and ensuring that the services delivered meet the operational needs of Air Station Clearwater and comply with federal standards for facility maintenance and food services.

What is the track record of Global Connections to Employment, Inc. in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Global Connections to Employment, Inc. in performing similar janitorial and mess services contracts for the government is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous federal awards. Understanding their experience with similar scope, scale, and agency requirements would provide insight into their capability to successfully execute this current contract.

What is the historical spending trend for janitorial and mess services at Air Station Clearwater?

The provided data pertains to a single definitive contract awarded on June 1, 2023, and does not offer historical spending trends for janitorial and mess services at Air Station Clearwater. To analyze historical spending, one would need access to previous contract awards for these services at this specific location, including their values, durations, and the contractors involved. This would allow for an assessment of whether current spending is consistent with past expenditures or represents a significant increase or decrease.

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: 70Z08423QDL930006

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1221 W LAKEVIEW AVE, PENSACOLA, FL, 32501

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: $5,361,409

Exercised Options: $4,165,684

Current Obligation: $4,165,684

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline