DHS awarded $22.3M for facilities support at CDP Anniston, Alabama, over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,281,046 ($22.3M)

Contractor: HME, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-04-01

End Date: 2014-09-29

Contract Duration: 2,007 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FACILITIES OPERATATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS ANNISTON ALABAMA

Place of Performance

Location: ANNISTON, CALHOUN County, ALABAMA, 36205

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $22.3 million to HME, INC. for work described as: FACILITIES OPERATATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS ANNISTON ALABAMA Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in maintaining critical domestic preparedness infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a robust bidding process for this essential service. 3. Performance risk appears moderate given the nature of facilities support services. 4. The contract duration indicates a long-term commitment to operational stability. 5. This spending falls within the broader category of government facilities management and support. 6. The award method indicates a preference for competitive sourcing where feasible.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $22.3 million over five years for facilities operations and support services at the Center for Domestic Preparedness appears reasonable for the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale facilities management contracts for government installations suggests that the pricing is likely competitive, especially given the specialized nature of the Center for Domestic Preparedness. Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed breakdowns of services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall award size is consistent with the operational needs of such a facility.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while full and open competition was intended, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain sources. This suggests that a competitive process occurred, but potentially with limitations on the pool of eligible bidders. The presence of 6 bidders implies a reasonable level of interest, which should contribute to price discovery. However, the exclusion of sources might have slightly tempered the full competitive effect.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, despite multiple bidders, may have resulted in slightly higher costs for taxpayers compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. However, the inclusion of 6 bidders still provided a degree of market pressure on pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, ensuring the operational readiness of the Center for Domestic Preparedness. Essential services include facilities operations and support, crucial for maintaining a safe and functional training environment. The geographic impact is concentrated in Anniston, Alabama, supporting local employment and the regional economy. Workforce implications include the potential for direct and indirect job creation in facilities management, maintenance, and related support roles within the Anniston area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen maintenance issues arise at the specialized facility.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure operations could pose continuity risks.
Ensuring consistent service quality across all aspects of facilities management requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

The contract's duration suggests a stable operational environment and a commitment to reliable service delivery.
The competitive bidding process, even with exclusions, likely ensured a baseline level of quality and cost-effectiveness.
The focus on facilities support for a critical preparedness center highlights the strategic importance of this contract.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of government and commercial buildings. The market for these services is substantial, with numerous providers ranging from large, diversified companies to specialized niche firms. This particular contract is for a government-owned, contractor-operated facility, which is common for specialized training and operational centers. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts for large federal installations or complex operational sites.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this contract, as the 'sb' field is false. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the prime contractor is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses would primarily depend on their subcontracting decisions rather than mandated set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures would be embedded within the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) structure, incentivizing performance. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases, though detailed performance metrics and specific oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency Operations Support
Center for Domestic Preparedness Operations
Government Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Cost Plus Award Fee Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep in CPAF contracts if performance metrics are not tightly managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure operations.
Need for robust oversight to ensure service quality and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $22.3 million to HME, INC.. FACILITIES OPERATATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS ANNISTON ALABAMA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HME, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-01. End: 2014-09-29.

What is the track record of HME, INC. in performing similar facilities support services for federal agencies?

Assessing HME, INC.'s track record requires a deeper dive into their contract history beyond this single award. While this $22.3 million contract for facilities operations and support services at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama, indicates their capability in managing significant federal contracts, it's crucial to examine past performance evaluations, any reported issues or disputes, and the successful completion of similar projects. Information on their experience with specialized government facilities, adherence to safety and security protocols, and client satisfaction across multiple contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in this domain. Without access to detailed past performance reviews, this analysis relies on the assumption that the award itself signifies a level of competence deemed sufficient by FEMA.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or budget for these facilities support services?

The provided data shows an awarded amount of $22,281,046, but it does not include the initial estimated cost or the allocated budget for these facilities support services. To determine if this represents good value, a comparison between the awarded contract value and the government's pre-solicitation estimate or appropriated budget is necessary. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than the estimate, it could indicate successful negotiation and competitive pressure. Conversely, if it's close to or exceeds the estimate, further scrutiny of the estimate's accuracy and the necessity of any contract modifications would be warranted. Without the government's baseline estimate, it's difficult to definitively assess the cost-effectiveness of this award.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of HME, INC. under this contract?

As a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract, this agreement likely incorporates specific performance objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that HME, INC. must meet to earn award fees. These KPIs would typically cover areas such as response times for maintenance requests, preventative maintenance completion rates, energy efficiency targets, safety compliance, and overall facility condition assessments. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would monitor these KPIs, and the contractor's performance against them would determine the extent of the award fee. While the specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, their existence is inherent to the CPAF contract type and crucial for ensuring the effective operation and support of the Center for Domestic Preparedness.

What is the historical spending trend for facilities support services at the Center for Domestic Preparedness?

The provided data covers a single definitive contract awarded in 2009 with an end date in 2014, totaling approximately $22.3 million. To understand historical spending trends, one would need to examine contracts preceding and succeeding this period for the same facility. Analyzing the total expenditure over multiple contract cycles, including the number and value of previous contracts, would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained relatively stable. This would help identify any patterns, potential cost escalations, or shifts in service providers and contract types over time, providing context for the current award's financial implications.

Were there any significant challenges or disputes encountered during the performance of this contract?

The provided summary data does not contain information regarding challenges or disputes encountered during the performance of this contract. A thorough review of contract performance reports, modification histories, and any associated litigation or claims would be necessary to identify such issues. The absence of readily available information on disputes does not necessarily mean none occurred, but it suggests that any significant problems were either resolved without formal escalation or were not widely documented in publicly accessible summaries. Further investigation into contract administration records would be required for a definitive answer.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: HSFECD-09-R-0009

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 109 B JEFFERSON AVE, OAK RIDGE, TN, 37830

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,281,046

Exercised Options: $22,281,046

Current Obligation: $22,281,046

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline