TAMIU Joining New A&M System Facility Support Savings Plan
John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, today announced that the A&M System has formalized letters of intent with SSC Service Solutions, a subsidiary of Compass Group North America, to manage facility support services, to include building maintenance, landscape maintenance, and custodial services at 16 A&M System campuses, including Laredo’s Texas A&M International University. The services will start on the first campuses as early as April 1.
“By outsourcing these services System-wide, we are ensuring our members located across the state of Texas can experience similar cost savings that our Brazos County system members have been able to achieve,” said Sharp. “Saving money without losing quality of services provided or employee jobs was critical to us in our search for a partner to manage these services. And I believe we have found the right partner to ensure our success,” he added.
Dr. Ray Keck, TAMIU president, said the initiative is highly anticipated.
“TAMIU is pleased to be part of this cost-savings initiative developed by The Texas A&M University System for System members. We are committed to partnering with our System to realize savings without losing the quality of services provided to our campus community. In fact, savings initiatives of this nature are not new to TAMIU as evidenced by existing relationships with our foodservice, bookstore and custodial vendors,” Dr. Keck said.
“Under Chancellor Sharp’s leadership, the A&M System has engaged in campaigns aimed at realizing substantial savings; seen most recently with A&M-College Station savings on managed dining, landscaping, building maintenance and janitorial services, and projected to be worth $260 million in extra revenue or cost savings over the next 12 years,” he added.
Over the term of the agreement, A&M System members are expected to see an estimated $92.3 million in cost-savings with SSC Service Solutions managing facility support services such as building maintenance, landscape maintenance, and custodial services over a 12-year term.
SSC currently provides facility support services to over 100 educational organizations nationwide, including Texas A&M University. The agreement with Texas A&M transitioned over 800 associates in this operational area to SSC’s payroll, and has already resulted in successfully preparing the campus for student move-in day, a successful SEC football opener, and working with team members and students to re-certify Texas A&M as a USA Tree Campus.
SSC Service Solutions president Don Williams said he is confident that associates throughout the A&M System in facility support services would also find the transition to the company’s payroll beneficial in many ways, including fully bridging their benefits and providing a network of specialized support.
“We are excited to provide our industry experience in sustaining a learning environment for the entire Texas A&M System family. It has been a privilege to serve at Texas A&M’s Brazos County locations this past year, and we look forward to expanding this great opportunity,” Williams said.
About SSC Service Solutions
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., SSC Service Solutions is the premium provider of cleaning and facilities services in both K-12 schools and higher education institutions. With over 40 years of industry experience and highly trained skilled professionals, SSC specializes in custodial and campus services; engineering, design, and construction services; plant operations and maintenance; and grounds management. SSC became a member of Compass Group North America in 2010 and earned CIMS distinction with honors from the ISSA, a worldwide cleaning organization.
About the A&M System
The A&M System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $3.5 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the A&M System educates more than 120,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. Externally funded research expenditures exceed $780 million and help drive the state’s economy.
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