Navy awards $17.7M contract for food services at Eglin AFB, highlighting potential value in institutional support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,120,080 ($17.1M)

Contractor: Interfuze Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-10-01

End Date: 2004-09-30

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200409!044003!1700!RA13A !FLEET & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CENTER!N0014003P0198 !A!N! !Y! !P00004!20031001!20040930!177103918!177103918!177103918!N!INFOPRO CORPORATION !202 EXCHANGE PLACE !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35806!20050!091!12!EGLIN AFB !OKALOOSA !FLORIDA !+000001063727!N!N!000000000000!S203!FOOD SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !611310!E! !9! ! !H! ! !99990909!D!F!N!A! !A!N!J!2!009! ! !C!N!Z! ! !Y!B!Y!N! ! !A! !B!A!00 !A!B!N! ! ! ! ! !N62640!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: PANAMA CITY BEACH, BAY County, FLORIDA, 32407

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.1 million to INTERFUZE CORPORATION for work described as: 200409!044003!1700!RA13A !FLEET & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CENTER!N0014003P0198 !A!N! !Y! !P00004!20031001!20040930!177103918!177103918!177103918!N!INFOPRO CORPORATION !202 EXCHANGE PLACE !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35806!20050!091!12!EGLIN AFB !OKAL… Key points: 1. Contract value of $17.7 million for a one-year period suggests a significant operational scale. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process, which can drive better pricing. 3. The contract's duration of 365 days allows for consistent service delivery but limits long-term strategic flexibility. 4. Award to Interfuze Corporation, a new entity, raises questions about their capacity and past performance. 5. The Public Service Code (PSC) 611310 points to a focus on institutional food services, a common government requirement. 6. The contract's geographic focus on Eglin AFB in Florida places it within a key military installation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.7 million for a one-year food services agreement at Eglin AFB appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar contracts for institutional food services at large military bases is necessary to determine if this represents good value. Without specific per-meal costs or detailed service level agreements, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the scale of the award suggests a significant operational requirement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors were eligible to bid. The presence of 9 bidders indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and potentially leads to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this food services contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down the final award price compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Military personnel and staff at Eglin Air Force Base benefit from consistent food services. The contract supports the operational readiness and morale of the Eglin AFB community. Services are geographically concentrated at Eglin AFB, Florida. The contract likely supports a workforce of food service professionals, potentially including local hires.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The award to Interfuze Corporation, a relatively new entity, may present performance risks if they lack extensive experience in large-scale government food service contracts.
Limited historical data on Interfuze Corporation's performance makes it difficult to assess their reliability and quality of service.
The fixed-price nature of the contract could lead to cost overruns for the contractor if unforeseen issues arise, potentially impacting service continuity.

Positive Signals

The full and open competition process suggests a potentially competitive award, which can lead to cost savings.
The contract's clear definition of services (food services) and fixed duration provides a defined scope of work.
The award to a single entity ensures a clear point of accountability for service delivery at Eglin AFB.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader sector of government support services, specifically focusing on food services for institutional settings. The market for such services is substantial, driven by the ongoing needs of military bases, federal agencies, and other public institutions. Competition in this space can vary, but large contracts like this often attract established players and newer entrants seeking to gain a foothold. Benchmarking against other food service contracts for similar-sized military installations would provide further context on pricing and scope.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. As this was a full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses could have participated directly or indirectly. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or voluntarily pursued by the prime contractor, Interfuze Corporation, and the extent of their impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices at Eglin AFB. The contract type (Purchase Order) and fixed-price nature suggest a focus on delivery against defined terms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Military Base Operations Support
Food Service Contracts
Institutional Food Services
Department of Defense Procurement
Eglin Air Force Base Contracts

Risk Flags

Contractor Performance Risk
Price Volatility Risk
Service Quality Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.1 million to INTERFUZE CORPORATION. 200409!044003!1700!RA13A !FLEET & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CENTER!N0014003P0198 !A!N! !Y! !P00004!20031001!20040930!177103918!177103918!177103918!N!INFOPRO CORPORATION !202 EXCHANGE PLACE !HUNTSVILLE !AL!35806!20050!091!12!EGLIN AFB !OKALOOSA !FLORIDA !+000001063727!N!N!000000000000!S203!FOOD SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !611310!E! !9! ! !H! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERFUZE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-10-01. End: 2004-09-30.

What is the track record of Interfuze Corporation in performing large-scale government food service contracts?

The provided data indicates that Interfuze Corporation was the awardee of this $17.7 million contract for food services. However, the data does not offer specific details regarding Interfuze Corporation's prior experience, past performance ratings on similar contracts, or their overall track record with the federal government. Given that this appears to be a significant award, further investigation into their corporate history, previous contract awards (especially within the Department of Defense or for food services), and any available performance evaluations would be crucial to assess their capability and reliability in fulfilling this requirement. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge the level of performance risk associated with this contractor.

How does the $17.7 million contract value compare to similar food service contracts at other military installations?

The $17.7 million award for a one-year food service contract at Eglin AFB represents a substantial investment. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar services at comparable military installations (e.g., other large Air Force bases or Navy installations of similar size and population). Factors such as the number of meals served daily, the scope of services (e.g., dining halls, special events, retail food operations), and the specific geographic region can influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests this is a significant contract, but a detailed comparison with publicly available data on similar contracts would be necessary to determine if it represents a competitive or premium price point for the services rendered.

What are the primary risks associated with a fixed-price contract for food services?

Fixed-price contracts, like the purchase order awarded here, establish a set price for the goods or services. For food services, the primary risks associated with a fixed-price structure include potential cost overruns for the contractor if food prices fluctuate significantly, labor costs increase unexpectedly, or unforeseen operational challenges arise. If the contractor cannot absorb these increased costs, it could lead to a decline in service quality, potential disputes, or even contract termination. Conversely, the government benefits from cost certainty, but must ensure the scope is well-defined to avoid scope creep issues that could necessitate contract modifications and price adjustments.

What is the expected effectiveness of Interfuze Corporation in delivering food services at Eglin AFB?

The effectiveness of Interfuze Corporation in delivering food services at Eglin AFB is currently unknown and carries a degree of uncertainty. As this appears to be a significant award for the company, their effectiveness will depend heavily on their internal operational capabilities, supply chain management, staffing levels, and adherence to quality standards set by the Department of the Navy. The full and open competition with 9 bidders suggests the government sought the best value, but the ultimate success hinges on the contractor's execution. Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) related to food quality, service timeliness, customer satisfaction, and compliance with health and safety regulations will be essential to assess their effectiveness throughout the contract period.

What are the historical spending patterns for food services at Eglin AFB or similar installations?

Historical spending patterns for food services at Eglin AFB or similar installations are not detailed in the provided data. However, such contracts are typically recurring requirements for military bases to support personnel. Annual spending can fluctuate based on factors like base population, operational tempo, and prevailing market prices for food and labor. Understanding historical spending would involve analyzing previous contracts awarded for food services at Eglin AFB or comparable bases over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, competition levels, and the incumbent contractors, providing a baseline against which the current $17.7 million award can be assessed for consistency or deviation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 202 EXCHANGE PLACE, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline