GSA's $26.3M Janitorial Services Contract for FDA White Oak Campus Awarded to DIDLAKE INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,347,868 ($26.3M)

Contractor: Didlake Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2012-09-29

End Date: 2016-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,401 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: JANITORIAL SERVICES AT FDA WHITE OAK CAMPUS

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20993

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $26.3 million to DIDLAKE INC for work described as: JANITORIAL SERVICES AT FDA WHITE OAK CAMPUS Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through firm-fixed-price structure, limiting cost overruns. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, given the established nature of janitorial services. 4. Performance context relies on successful completion of services at a federal facility. 5. Sector positioning is within government facilities management and support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government. While specific cost comparisons are difficult without detailed service scope, the total value over its duration suggests a standard market rate for comprehensive janitorial services at a large federal campus. Benchmarking against similar GSA contracts for facilities maintenance would offer further insight into value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors were invited to bid. This process typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging bidders to offer their best pricing and service terms to secure the award. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method implies a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting competitive pricing, which can lead to lower overall costs compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Federal employees and visitors benefit from a clean and sanitary working environment at the FDA White Oak Campus. Essential janitorial and maintenance services are delivered to ensure facility hygiene and operational readiness. The geographic impact is localized to the FDA White Oak Campus in Maryland. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for janitorial staff, likely sourced locally.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service quality variations if performance standards are not rigorously monitored.
Dependence on contractor's ability to maintain consistent staffing levels for uninterrupted service.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process.
Long-term contract duration allows for stable service provision.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader facilities support services sector, specifically janitorial and cleaning services for government buildings. The market for these services is substantial, with numerous private sector providers. Government contracts often represent a significant portion of this market due to the scale and consistent demand of federal facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale janitorial contracts awarded by agencies like GSA or other federal entities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity capable of handling the scope of services. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal in terms of direct set-aside opportunities for this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through contract officers and facility managers. Performance standards and service level agreements would be key accountability measures. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or significant mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Federal Buildings Maintenance Contracts
Government Facilities Cleaning Services
GSA Public Buildings Service Contracts
FDA Facilities Management

Risk Flags

Performance Monitoring
Staffing Stability
Service Quality Assurance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $26.3 million to DIDLAKE INC. JANITORIAL SERVICES AT FDA WHITE OAK CAMPUS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DIDLAKE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-09-29. End: 2016-07-31.

What is the track record of DIDLAKE INC in performing similar government contracts?

DIDLAKE INC has a history of performing government contracts, primarily in the janitorial and facilities maintenance space. Information from federal procurement data indicates they have been awarded multiple contracts across various agencies, including GSA. Their performance history on these contracts would need to be reviewed through sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to fully assess their reliability and quality of service. Without specific CPARS data, it's difficult to provide a detailed assessment, but their continued awards suggest a satisfactory performance record in meeting basic requirements.

How does the total contract value compare to similar janitorial services contracts for federal facilities of comparable size?

The total contract value of approximately $26.3 million over roughly four years (1401 days) for janitorial services at the FDA White Oak Campus translates to an average annual cost of about $6.58 million. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts for facilities of similar square footage, complexity, and geographic location. For instance, a large federal building or campus with similar security and operational requirements might have comparable annual spending. Without access to a detailed database of all such contracts and their specific scopes, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the price was deemed competitive at the time of award.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this type of contract?

The primary risk indicators for this janitorial services contract include potential variations in service quality if performance standards are not rigorously monitored and enforced. There's also a risk related to contractor staffing, where maintaining consistent, qualified personnel can be challenging, potentially leading to service disruptions. Furthermore, unforeseen facility issues or changes in operational needs could necessitate contract modifications, introducing scope creep risks. The firm-fixed-price structure mitigates financial risk for the government regarding cost overruns on the defined scope, but performance risks remain.

How effective has this contract been in ensuring a clean and sanitary environment at the FDA White Oak Campus?

Assessing the effectiveness of this contract in ensuring a clean and sanitary environment requires direct performance data, such as inspection reports, user feedback, and adherence to service level agreements. As this data is not publicly available, a definitive judgment cannot be made. However, the contract's duration and renewal (if applicable) could indirectly suggest satisfaction with the service provided. The firm-fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to meet the defined scope efficiently. The ultimate measure of effectiveness would be the sustained compliance with health, safety, and cleanliness standards mandated for a federal research facility like the FDA campus.

What are the historical spending patterns for janitorial services at the FDA White Oak Campus prior to this contract?

Historical spending patterns for janitorial services at the FDA White Oak Campus prior to this specific contract (awarded September 2012) would likely involve previous contracts managed by GSA or potentially directly by the FDA. To analyze these patterns, one would need to access historical contract databases and identify previous awards for similar services at this location. Factors such as changes in facility size, occupancy, or service requirements over time would influence spending. Understanding these patterns could reveal trends in cost escalation or efficiency improvements. Without access to that specific historical data, it's impossible to detail the patterns.

What is the typical profit margin for janitorial services contractors in the federal sector?

Profit margins for janitorial services contractors in the federal sector can vary significantly based on contract type, scope of work, competition level, and the contractor's operational efficiency. Generally, for services contracts, profit margins might range from 5% to 15% of the total contract value. Firm-fixed-price contracts, like this one, allow contractors to retain any savings achieved through efficiency, potentially increasing their profit if managed well. However, they also bear the risk of cost overruns. Benchmarking specific profit margins is difficult without detailed cost breakdowns, which are typically proprietary. The competitive nature of federal bidding often pressures margins downward.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8641 BREEDEN AVE STE 101, MANASSAS, VA, 20110

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: $37,692,163

Exercised Options: $26,347,868

Current Obligation: $26,347,868

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline