New Housekeeping Contract Update

September 25, 2006
To: The UMBC Community
Fr: Lynne Schaefer, Vice President, Administration and Finance
Re: New Housekeeping Contract Update
On August 1, UMBC began a new performance-based approach to housekeeping. A contract was awarded to multiple vendors to provide these services to the campus. The bulk of the buildings are covered by the firm OneSource and the remaining buildings are covered by contractors from Maryland Works, a statewide membership association dedicated to promoting economic and workforce development for individuals facing barriers to employment. This is a significant change that affects all of us, and I would like to address the concerns I have heard from the campus community and explain why we made this change.
The USM procurement policies and procedures require us to periodically re-bid these types of services in order to make sure we are getting the best services for the best price. Over the past year, we analyzed our housekeeping needs and our current outsourced staffing configuration, and compared them to national norms and benchmarks. We found that the staffing level in place was higher than what one would find in comparable facilities and environments.
We also determined that a performance-based contract could provide UMBC with a higher standard for cleanliness than what was required in our previous contract with Abacus. Under the new contracts with OneSource and Maryland Works, four percent of the total contract amount is structured as an incentive that will go to the contractors upon meeting our required performance level. The performance levels will be evaluated by campus input and outside expertise.
Working with these new companies, after contracting with Abacus for over 15 years, requires a significant transition. It normally takes about 90 days for a new operation to complete the hiring, training and equipping needed, and to make necessary adjustments to staffing and schedules. Where we are today is not where we expect to be when the transition is complete. We appreciate the feedback we have received during the first month of the transition and are sharing it with OneSource and the Maryland Works vendors. Please contact Jim Donlan at extension 5-3656 or donlan@umbc.edu if you have additional questions or concerns.
Of the 95 custodians currently working for OneSource and the Maryland Works vendors, approximately 55 were previously employed by Abacus. Our contract workers play an important role in our community, and we requested additions in the new contract in order to provide more support for them. We have included a $9.30 per hour Living Wage requirement in the new contract, as determined by the Baltimore City Wage Commission. The Abacus contract wage was $7.80. The contract also includes 10 paid holidays, which goes beyond the definition of a Living Wage. OneSource and Maryland Works employees who were hired from Abacus have moved into new jobs and are subject to a new payroll system, new rules, requirements and benefits. This is a transition period for them as well.
Again, we appreciate your feedback and patience, and look forward to working with you to make this transition a success.