M -- Operation of Government Owned Facilities

This contract involves two Express studies conducted over a five-year performance period, focusing on maintenance activities for the Northeastern Research Station and Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. These activities include maintenance of buildings, roads, grounds, and trails, carried out in multiple locations such as Milford, PA; Burlington, VT; Durham, NH; Hamden and Ansonia, CT; Delaware, OH; Irvine, PA; and several sites in West Virginia. The studies applied the USDA Guide to assess competitive sourcing for functions with 10 or fewer positions, considering a total workforce of approximately 13.2 full-time equivalents (FTEs) across the designated sites. The bid opening occurred on August 22, 2003, and the findings indicated that the government’s estimated cost for these maintenance services was within or below comparable private sector pricing. As a result, the decision was made to retain the performance of these maintenance functions in-house, utilizing the existing government workforce and current performance structures. The contract is managed by the Northern Research Station, part of the Department of Agriculture, with operations based in Newtown Square, PA.