Dwight D. Eisenhower Library water and sewer services contract awarded for $921,762 over 10 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $92,176 ($92.2K)

Contractor: City of Abilene

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2020-10-01

End Date: 2030-09-30

Contract Duration: 3,651 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW WATER AND SEWER SERVICES AT THE DWIGHT EISENHOWER LIBRARY.

Place of Performance

Location: ABILENE, DICKINSON County, KANSAS, 67410

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $92,176.24 to CITY OF ABILENE for work described as: NEW WATER AND SEWER SERVICES AT THE DWIGHT EISENHOWER LIBRARY. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential utility services for a significant federal landmark. 2. Long-term nature of the contract suggests a need for stable, ongoing service provision. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs over the performance period. 4. The contract is for water supply and irrigation systems, a critical infrastructure need. 5. Awarded to the City of Abilene, indicating potential local service provider reliance.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $921,762 over 10 years equates to approximately $92,176 per year. Benchmarking this specific service for a library is challenging without more granular data on water usage and irrigation needs. However, for municipal water and sewer services, this annual cost appears within a reasonable range for a facility of this size and scope, especially considering the long-term commitment and the inclusion of irrigation systems. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor is capable of providing the required service, or in this case, likely due to the specific nature of providing services to a government facility and potentially leveraging existing municipal infrastructure. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through a bidding process, which could potentially lead to higher costs than if multiple bids were solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, as the award was not subject to a bidding process. This could mean the price was not optimized through market forces.

Public Impact

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum benefits from reliable water and sewer services, ensuring operational continuity. The local community in Abilene, Kansas, benefits through the provision of services by the City of Abilene, potentially supporting local jobs and infrastructure. Visitors to the library and museum will experience uninterrupted services. The contract supports the preservation and operation of a significant historical site.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition, potentially impacting value for money.
Long contract duration (10 years) carries inherent risks related to service obsolescence or unforeseen cost escalations not fully captured by fixed pricing.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the agreement.
Award to a municipal entity may indicate a stable, established service provider with local knowledge.
Contract addresses essential infrastructure needs for a critical federal facility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Utilities and Infrastructure sector, specifically focusing on water supply and irrigation systems. The market for municipal utility services is often characterized by localized monopolies or limited competition due to the nature of infrastructure. For federal agencies, securing reliable utility services is crucial for the operation of facilities, and contracts are often awarded based on proximity, existing infrastructure, and the ability to meet specific government requirements. The value of this contract is relatively modest within the broader federal spending landscape for infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The award was made directly to the City of Abilene, a municipal entity, suggesting that small business participation was not a primary consideration or requirement for this specific service provision.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the contracting agency. As a definitive contract with a long performance period, NARA would be responsible for monitoring service delivery, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing payments. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract data. Specific accountability measures would be detailed within the contract itself, and any disputes or performance issues would be handled through NARA's contract management processes.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building and Facilities Maintenance
Utility Services Contracts
National Archives and Records Administration Operations

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Long contract duration (10 years) introduces potential for cost escalation or service obsolescence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $92,176.24 to CITY OF ABILENE. NEW WATER AND SEWER SERVICES AT THE DWIGHT EISENHOWER LIBRARY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CITY OF ABILENE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $92,176.24.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-10-01. End: 2030-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for water and sewer services at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library prior to this contract?

Detailed historical spending data for water and sewer services specifically at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library prior to this contract is not readily available in the provided data. Federal contracts are often awarded for new services or to consolidate existing ones. Without prior contract information or specific line-item budgets for utilities at the library, it's difficult to establish a direct spending trend. However, the award of a new 10-year definitive contract suggests a need for formalized, long-term service provision, potentially replacing ad-hoc arrangements or previous shorter-term agreements. The annual value of approximately $92,176 indicates a significant and ongoing requirement for these essential services.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar utility contracts for federal facilities of comparable size?

Directly comparing the annual cost of $92,176 for water and sewer services at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library to similar federal facilities is challenging without specific data on the size, water consumption, and irrigation needs of those comparable facilities. Utility costs are highly variable based on location, usage, and the scope of services (e.g., inclusion of wastewater treatment, stormwater management, extensive irrigation). However, for a federal facility of its nature, this annual expenditure appears to be within a plausible range, especially considering it covers both standard water/sewer and potentially significant irrigation demands. It is not an exceptionally high or low figure without further context on the specific service level agreements and the local utility rates.

What are the specific risks associated with a 10-year fixed-price contract for utility services?

A 10-year fixed-price contract for utility services carries several risks. Firstly, there's the risk of inflation outpacing the fixed price, especially for utilities where costs can fluctuate due to energy prices, infrastructure maintenance, or regulatory changes. If the cost of providing water and sewer services increases significantly over the decade, the City of Abilene might face reduced profit margins or seek contract modifications. Conversely, if utility costs decrease substantially, the government might be overpaying. Another risk is the potential for the contractor to reduce service quality to maintain profitability if costs rise unexpectedly, although the firm fixed-price nature aims to incentivize efficiency. Finally, technological advancements in water management or infrastructure could emerge, making the current service model less optimal, but the long-term commitment might hinder adopting newer, more cost-effective solutions.

What is the track record of the City of Abilene in providing utility services to government entities?

Information regarding the specific track record of the City of Abilene in providing utility services to government entities is not detailed in the provided contract data. As a municipal government, it is presumed to have established infrastructure and experience in managing water and sewer services for its own residents and potentially other local entities. However, without specific performance reviews, past contract details with federal agencies, or documented successes/failures in similar government service provision, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record in this context. The award suggests that NARA found them to be a suitable provider, likely based on their capacity, proximity, and existing municipal operations.

What are the implications of this contract being awarded as 'Not Available for Competition'?

The designation 'Not Available for Competition' (often synonymous with sole-source) for this contract implies that the National Archives and Records Administration determined that only one source, the City of Abilene, was capable of meeting the government's needs. This could be due to factors such as unique infrastructure ownership, geographic exclusivity, or specific technical requirements that only the City of Abilene could fulfill. The primary implication for taxpayers is the absence of competitive bidding, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. Without competition, there is a reduced assurance that the government secured the best possible price and value. Oversight and justification for the sole-source award are therefore critical to ensure public funds are used responsibly.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Water, Sewage and Other Systems › Water Supply and Irrigation Systems

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 419 N BROADWAY, ABILENE, KS, 67410

Business Categories: U.S. Government Authorities, Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $152,176

Exercised Options: $152,176

Current Obligation: $92,176

Actual Outlays: $79,756

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(G)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline