GSA's $20.7M facility support contract with LB & B Associates Inc. awarded in 2000, ending in 2011

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,742,662 ($20.7M)

Contractor: LB & B Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2000-01-15

End Date: 2011-12-30

Contract Duration: 4,367 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: FACILITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21046

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $20.7 million to LB & B ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: FACILITY SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract utilized a fixed-price structure with economic price adjustments, potentially leading to cost fluctuations over its long duration. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this suggests a competitive bidding process was employed. 3. The contract spanned over 12 years, indicating a long-term need for facility support services. 4. The services provided fall under the Facilities Support Services NAICS code 561210. 5. The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service. 6. The contract's total value was approximately $20.7 million over its lifespan. 7. The contract was not set aside for small businesses. 8. The contract was awarded as a Purchase Order (PO).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns. The total value of $20.7 million over 12 years averages to approximately $1.7 million annually, which for facility support services, appears to be within a reasonable range for a federal contract of this nature. However, the fixed-price with economic price adjustment (EPA) clause introduces variability. Without comparable contracts for similar scope and duration, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The lack of detailed performance data prevents a thorough comparison to market rates or similar government contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 6 bidders, as suggested by the 'no' field, points to a reasonably competitive environment at the time of award. This level of competition generally supports price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria are not provided, but the open competition framework is a positive indicator for taxpayer value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation among contractors, leading to better service delivery for the government.

Public Impact

Federal agencies utilizing facilities managed by the General Services Administration benefited from these support services. The contract ensured the operational readiness and maintenance of federal buildings. Services likely included maintenance, repair, janitorial, security, and other operational support for government facilities. The geographic impact is centered in Maryland (MD), where the contract was administered. The contract supported jobs within the facility support services industry, including maintenance staff, technicians, and administrative personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The long duration of the contract (over 12 years) could lead to potential complacency or reduced incentive for cost savings over time.
The 'fixed price with economic price adjustment' clause introduces uncertainty in final costs due to potential inflation or market fluctuations.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's efficiency and effectiveness throughout the contract period.
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms in this sector.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract provided essential facility support services, ensuring the continuity of government operations.
The long duration indicates a stable, ongoing need for these services, suggesting a successful long-term relationship if performance was adequate.
The contract was administered by the General Services Administration, a key agency for federal real estate and facility management.

Sector Analysis

Facility support services represent a significant segment of the broader facilities management industry. This sector encompasses a wide range of services essential for the operation and maintenance of commercial and government buildings, including cleaning, security, maintenance, and utilities management. The market is characterized by a mix of large, diversified companies and smaller, specialized providers. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the government's extensive real estate portfolio. This contract with LB & B Associates Inc. fits within the government's strategy to outsource non-core functions to specialized service providers, ensuring efficient building operations.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The absence of small business considerations in the award details suggests that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract were limited. This could mean that larger firms dominated the bidding process or that the scope of work was not conducive to small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if LB & B Associates Inc. engaged in subcontracting with small businesses, which would have a positive impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been primarily managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service. GSA has established procurement regulations and contract administration procedures to ensure compliance and performance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability would be enforced through contract clauses, performance reviews, and potential remedies for non-performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically fall under the GSA's Office of Inspector General, which investigates fraud, waste, and abuse in GSA programs and contracts.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Government Facility Operations Support
GSA Real Estate Management
Public Buildings Service Contracts
Fixed-Price Contracts with EPA

Risk Flags

Long Contract Duration
Economic Price Adjustment Clause
Lack of Specific Performance Metrics
No Small Business Set-Aside Indicated

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $20.7 million to LB & B ASSOCIATES INC. FACILITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LB & B ASSOCIATES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-01-15. End: 2011-12-30.

What was the specific scope of 'Facility Support Services' provided under this contract?

The term 'Facility Support Services' is broad and can encompass a wide array of activities necessary for the operation and maintenance of federal buildings. Based on the NAICS code 561210 (Facilities Support Services), these services typically include activities such as general building maintenance and repair, janitorial services, groundskeeping, security services, pest control, waste management, and potentially specialized services like HVAC maintenance, electrical systems upkeep, and plumbing. Without the specific contract statement of work (SOW), the precise deliverables are not detailed. However, the contract's duration and value suggest a comprehensive suite of services was provided to ensure the functionality, safety, and upkeep of government facilities managed by GSA in Maryland.

How did the 'economic price adjustment' clause impact the final cost of the contract?

The 'economic price adjustment' (EPA) clause in a fixed-price contract allows for adjustments to the contract price based on changes in specified economic factors, such as labor costs, material costs, or inflation indices. For this contract, the EPA clause provided a mechanism to modify the fixed price over its 12-year lifespan to account for fluctuations in operating expenses. While it aimed to protect the contractor from unforeseen cost increases and ensure service continuity, it also introduced cost uncertainty for the government. The exact impact on the final cost would depend on the specific indices used, the frequency of adjustments, and the magnitude of economic changes during the contract period. Without access to the contract's modification history and the specific EPA formula, quantifying the precise cost impact is not possible.

What is the typical performance expectation for a 12-year facility support services contract?

For a long-term contract like this, spanning over 12 years, the typical performance expectation is consistent delivery of services meeting or exceeding defined standards, reliability, responsiveness to issues, and proactive maintenance. Contractors are expected to maintain a skilled workforce, adhere to safety and environmental regulations, and manage resources efficiently. For facility support, this includes ensuring buildings are clean, secure, well-maintained, and operational. Government agencies usually evaluate performance through metrics related to response times, quality of work, adherence to schedules, and client satisfaction. A contract of this duration suggests that the contractor likely met these expectations to a satisfactory degree, warranting continued awards or extensions, though specific performance reviews are not publicly detailed.

Were there any significant contractor performance issues or disputes reported for LB & B ASSOCIATES INC. on this contract?

Publicly available data does not indicate any significant performance issues, disputes, or contract terminations for LB & B ASSOCIATES INC. related to this specific General Services Administration contract (awarded 2000-01-15, ending 2011-12-30). The contract's completion within its intended timeframe and the absence of readily accessible negative reports suggest that the contractor generally met its obligations. However, comprehensive performance records are often internal to the contracting agency and may not be fully disclosed. Without access to GSA's internal contract performance evaluations or any formal dispute resolution filings, a definitive statement on the absence of all issues cannot be made, but the available information points towards a standard contract execution.

How does the $20.7 million total contract value compare to other GSA facility support contracts of similar duration?

Comparing the $20.7 million total value of this contract to other GSA facility support contracts of similar duration (approximately 12 years) requires access to a broader dataset of historical GSA procurements. On average, this contract represents an annual expenditure of roughly $1.7 million. This figure can be considered moderate for facility support services, which can range widely based on the size and complexity of the facilities managed. GSA manages a vast portfolio of buildings, and contract values can vary significantly based on geographic location, building type, and the scope of services required. Without a direct benchmark of comparable contracts with identical service scopes and facility types, it's difficult to definitively state if $20.7 million over 12 years is high, low, or average. However, it falls within a plausible range for supporting federal facilities.

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

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Contractor Details

Address: 9891 BROKENLAND PKWY, COLUMBIA, MD, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,135,761

Exercised Options: $10,135,761

Current Obligation: $20,742,662

Timeline