Agriculture Department awards $23.5K contract for HVAC assessment in Charleston, SC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,500 ($23.5K)

Contractor: Four Seasons Environmental Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-05-23

Contract Duration: 45 days

Daily Burn Rate: $522/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HVAC ASSESSMENT OF ALL CHARLESTON, SC HVAC SYSTEMS IN BLDG 44

Place of Performance

Location: CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29414

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $23,500 to FOUR SEASONS ENVIRONMENTAL INC for work described as: HVAC ASSESSMENT OF ALL CHARLESTON, SC HVAC SYSTEMS IN BLDG 44 Key points: 1. Contract value appears low, suggesting a focused scope for the HVAC assessment. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 3. A short performance period of 45 days suggests a rapid assessment or a specific, time-bound task. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially encouraging efficiency. 5. The contractor, Four Seasons Environmental Inc., has a track record that warrants review for similar services. 6. The award is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a pre-existing agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23,500 for an HVAC assessment of all systems in a specific building (Building 44) in Charleston, SC, appears reasonable for a focused evaluation. Without knowing the size and complexity of Building 44, direct comparisons are difficult. However, for a specialized assessment service, this price point suggests a targeted scope rather than a comprehensive overhaul or installation. The firm-fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor has priced the work to completion, and the government will pay a set amount regardless of the contractor's actual costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning the agency solicited bids from all responsible sources. The presence of two bids indicates that there was interest from multiple vendors, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The level of competition, while not extremely high, suggests that the agency was able to identify and receive offers from qualified contractors in the market for facilities support services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through competitive pricing and encourages a wider pool of contractors to bid, potentially lowering overall costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, ensuring the operational integrity of its facilities. The service delivered is a critical assessment of HVAC systems, vital for maintaining a suitable environment within Building 44. The geographic impact is localized to Charleston, South Carolina, specifically affecting Building 44. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team of specialized technicians for the assessment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The short duration (45 days) might limit the depth of the assessment if not managed efficiently.
The specific building designation (Building 44) could indicate a need for specialized knowledge of that particular structure's HVAC system.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
Firm-fixed-price contract aligns incentives for contractor efficiency and cost control.
The contractor, Four Seasons Environmental Inc., is expected to deliver a specific, defined service.

Sector Analysis

The Facilities Support Services sector (NAICS code 561210) encompasses a broad range of services related to the operation and maintenance of buildings. This contract falls within the specialized area of HVAC assessment, a critical component of facility management. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous providers ranging from small, specialized firms to large facility management companies. The value of this specific contract is relatively small, suggesting it is either a standalone assessment or a component of a larger facilities maintenance program.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have been set aside for small businesses, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false. The contractor, Four Seasons Environmental Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal given the contract's size and the lack of a small business set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and program managers within the Agricultural Research Service. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified assessment within the agreed-upon scope and timeframe. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being made through full and open competition, with data likely available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Building Systems Assessments
HVAC Services
Department of Agriculture Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for rushed assessment due to short performance period.
Limited competition (2 bidders) may reduce price negotiation leverage.
Need to verify contractor's specific experience with similar building types/HVAC systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $23,500 to FOUR SEASONS ENVIRONMENTAL INC. HVAC ASSESSMENT OF ALL CHARLESTON, SC HVAC SYSTEMS IN BLDG 44

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOUR SEASONS ENVIRONMENTAL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-23.

What is the typical cost range for HVAC system assessments of a single building of similar size and complexity?

The cost for HVAC system assessments can vary significantly based on the size and complexity of the building, the scope of the assessment (e.g., basic inspection vs. detailed energy audit), and the geographic location. For a single building, costs can range from a few thousand dollars for a basic inspection to tens of thousands for a comprehensive energy audit or system performance analysis. Given the $23,500 award for Building 44, it suggests a focused assessment rather than an exhaustive study. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for HVAC assessments in the Charleston area or for facilities of comparable size would provide a more precise comparison, but this value appears within a reasonable range for a specialized, time-bound evaluation.

What is the track record of Four Seasons Environmental Inc. in performing similar HVAC assessment contracts for the federal government?

To assess the track record of Four Seasons Environmental Inc., a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving HVAC assessments or facility support services, would be necessary. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A positive performance history on similar contracts would indicate a lower risk for this current award. Conversely, any negative performance indicators would raise concerns about the contractor's ability to meet the requirements effectively and efficiently.

How does the firm-fixed-price contract type impact the value and risk for this HVAC assessment?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract means the contractor agrees to a set price for the defined scope of work. This shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage their resources efficiently to maintain profitability. For the government, an FFP contract provides cost certainty, making budgeting easier. In the context of this HVAC assessment, it means the Department of Agriculture will pay $23,500 regardless of the contractor's actual labor or material costs, provided the work is completed according to the contract specifications. This structure is generally favorable for value when the scope of work is well-defined and risks are manageable.

What are the potential risks associated with a short 45-day performance period for an HVAC assessment?

A short performance period of 45 days for an HVAC assessment could introduce several risks. If the scope of work is extensive or if Building 44 has a particularly complex HVAC infrastructure, the contractor might face time constraints, potentially leading to a rushed or incomplete assessment. This could result in missed critical issues or a less thorough analysis than desired. Furthermore, unforeseen circumstances, such as equipment malfunctions during the assessment or delays in accessing certain areas of the building, could further compress the timeline. Effective project management by both the contractor and the government oversight team is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the assessment is completed thoroughly within the allotted timeframe.

What does the presence of only two bidders imply about the market for HVAC assessment services in this region?

The fact that only two bids were received under full and open competition for this HVAC assessment contract could imply several things about the market. It might suggest that the market for highly specialized HVAC assessment services in the Charleston, SC region is relatively small, or that only two firms possessed the specific qualifications and capacity required for this particular task. Alternatively, it could indicate that the contract's value or scope was not attractive enough to draw a larger number of bidders, or that other potential bidders were unaware of the opportunity or chose not to compete for other reasons. While two bidders still represent competition, a lower number generally offers less price leverage compared to a situation with numerous competing offers.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 43 NEW GARVER RD, MONROE, OH, 45050

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,500

Exercised Options: $23,500

Current Obligation: $23,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSHA19D001K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline