NARA awards $4.1M firm-fixed-price contract for facilities management at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $413,553 ($413.6K)
Contractor: Regents of the University of Michigan
Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration
Start Date: 2025-09-01
End Date: 2030-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $227/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS IS A FIRM FIXED PRICE CONTRACT FOR CONSOLIDATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (CFM) SERVICES AT THE GERALD R. FORD PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOR POP: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2030
Place of Performance
Location: ANN ARBOR, WASHTENAW County, MICHIGAN, 48109
State: Michigan Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Archives and Records Administration obligated $413,553.15 to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN for work described as: THIS IS A FIRM FIXED PRICE CONTRACT FOR CONSOLIDATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (CFM) SERVICES AT THE GERALD R. FORD PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOR POP: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2030 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Regents of the University of Michigan for consolidated facilities management. 2. Services cover a five-year period from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2030. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs for the government. 4. This is a sole-source award, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies from competition. 5. The services provided fall under Facilities Support Services (NAICS 561210). 6. The contract duration is 1825 days, aligning with the specified service period.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $4.1 million over five years for facilities management at a single presidential library appears reasonable on its face. However, without comparable contract data for similar facilities or specific service breakdowns, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure offers cost certainty but may not incentivize the most efficient service delivery if not carefully managed. Benchmarking against industry standards for facilities management in similar institutional settings would be necessary for a more robust evaluation.
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 potential offerors. The justification for this approach is not provided in the available data. Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices due to the lack of competitive pressure, but they may also be appropriate when a specific entity possesses unique qualifications or capabilities essential for the service. The absence of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative pricing and service models.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not be benefiting from the potentially lower prices that could have resulted from a competitive bidding process. This could represent a missed opportunity for cost savings.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), ensuring the proper upkeep and operation of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Services include consolidated facilities management, encompassing a range of maintenance, operational, and support functions. The geographic impact is localized to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the library is situated. The contract supports the preservation and accessibility of historical records and public programming at the library.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to higher costs than a competed contract.
- Sole-source justification needs further review to ensure necessity.
- Performance metrics and oversight are critical to ensure value despite limited competition.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for NARA.
- Award to a known entity (Regents of the University of Michigan) may indicate a stable, experienced provider.
- Consolidated services can streamline operations and potentially improve efficiency.
Sector Analysis
The Facilities Support Services sector (NAICS 561210) encompasses a broad range of services related to the operation and maintenance of buildings and other facilities. This contract fits within the government's broader need to maintain its physical infrastructure, including historical sites and archives. The market for these services is typically fragmented, with many providers ranging from large facility management corporations to smaller, specialized firms. Government contracts in this space often involve long-term agreements due to the nature of facility upkeep.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation is not a stated requirement for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside provisions. The prime contractor, Regents of the University of Michigan, is an educational institution and not typically a small business. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not detailed in this summary, but would depend on the prime contractor's procurement practices.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). As a firm-fixed-price contract, NARA's oversight would focus on ensuring that the contractor meets all performance requirements and service level agreements outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases, but specific performance reporting and accountability measures would be detailed within the contract's terms and conditions. The potential for an Inspector General review exists, depending on NARA's internal policies and any specific audit triggers.
Related Government Programs
- Presidential Libraries Operations
- Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
- Archival Facility Management
- Government Facilities Support Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
- Potential for cost overruns if performance is not rigorously monitored.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and oversight mechanisms.
Tags
facilities-management, presidential-library, national-archives-and-records-administration, nara, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, university-of-michigan, ann-arbor, michigan, facilities-support-services, archives, historical-preservation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Archives and Records Administration awarded $413,553.15 to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. THIS IS A FIRM FIXED PRICE CONTRACT FOR CONSOLIDATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (CFM) SERVICES AT THE GERALD R. FORD PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOR POP: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2030
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.
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 $413,553.15.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-01. End: 2030-08-31.
What is the specific justification for awarding this facilities management contract on a sole-source basis to the Regents of the University of Michigan?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services. This could be due to unique capabilities, existing infrastructure integration, or specific historical relationships. For this contract, potential reasons might include the University of Michigan's proximity, existing knowledge of the facility, or specialized expertise related to the library's unique needs. A full review of NARA's contracting documentation would be required to ascertain the precise justification and ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations, such as those allowing for sole-source awards under specific circumstances like urgency, unique qualifications, or lack of market availability.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to the operational budget or spending on similar presidential libraries?
Direct comparison of the annual cost ($827,106.60 based on $4,135,531.50 / 5 years) to other presidential libraries' operational budgets or facilities management spending is challenging without access to specific, comparable data. Presidential libraries vary significantly in size, collection scope, visitor numbers, and existing infrastructure, all of which influence facilities management costs. Furthermore, NARA's internal allocation for facilities management across its various sites is not publicly detailed in a way that allows for easy benchmarking. To assess value, one would need to compare this contract against NARA's own historical spending at this specific library, or against contracts for similarly sized and complex federal facilities, considering the scope of services provided under the firm-fixed-price agreement.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) included in the contract to ensure service quality and value?
The provided summary data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) established for this contract. However, for a firm-fixed-price contract of this nature, NARA would typically define measurable standards for services such as response times for maintenance requests, preventative maintenance completion rates, energy efficiency targets, and overall facility condition assessments. Compliance with these KPIs and SLAs would be crucial for ensuring the contractor, Regents of the University of Michigan, delivers the required level of service and that the government receives adequate value for the $4.1 million investment. Performance evaluations would likely be conducted periodically throughout the contract's five-year term.
What is the track record of the Regents of the University of Michigan in managing federal facilities contracts, particularly for NARA?
The track record of the Regents of the University of Michigan in managing federal facilities contracts, especially for NARA, is not detailed in the provided summary. As a large public university, the institution likely has extensive experience in managing its own extensive campus facilities, which could translate to competence in managing a federal library. However, specific experience with federal contracting, including compliance with federal procurement regulations, reporting requirements, and performance standards, would need to be verified. NARA's decision to award a sole-source contract might imply a pre-existing positive relationship or a perceived capability based on past performance, but this remains speculative without further information on their contracting history with federal agencies.
Are there any provisions for contract modifications or adjustments over the five-year period, and under what conditions?
While the contract is firm-fixed-price, which generally aims to lock in costs, federal contracts often include provisions for modifications under specific circumstances. These could include equitable adjustments for changes in scope directed by NARA, unforeseen circumstances (force majeure), or adjustments related to economic price variations if explicitly included in the contract terms. However, the extent and conditions under which modifications can be made are not specified in the summary data. Typically, any modifications would require a formal amendment to the contract, approved by authorized NARA officials, and would need to be carefully managed to avoid scope creep or significant cost increases beyond the initial $4.1 million award.
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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1109 GEDDES AVE STE 3300, ANN ARBOR, MI, 48109
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,695,791
Exercised Options: $701,137
Current Obligation: $413,553
Actual Outlays: $51,856
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-01
Current End Date: 2030-08-31
Potential End Date: 2030-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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