Forest Service awards $125K for HVAC repair, highlighting regional needs and firm-fixed-price contract type

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $124,958 ($125.0K)

Contractor: Bruce Gomes

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-03-19

End Date: 2026-05-24

Contract Duration: 66 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: WMF ANDRO AND SACO HVAC REPAIR

Place of Performance

Location: BARTLETT, CARROLL County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03812

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $124,958.22 to BRUCE GOMES for work described as: WMF ANDRO AND SACO HVAC REPAIR Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 3. Limited contract duration (66 days) indicates a specific, short-term need for HVAC services. 4. The award to a single contractor, Bruce Gomes, warrants a review of competition dynamics. 5. Geographic focus on New Hampshire suggests localized operational requirements for the Forest Service. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 238220 points to specialized plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $125,000 for HVAC repair over a 66-day period appears reasonable for specialized services. However, without specific details on the scope of work, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests the government sought predictable costs, which is a positive indicator for value. Further analysis would require understanding the specific repairs needed and the prevailing market rates for such services in New Hampshire.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal bidding process than full and open competition. While the data indicates 10 offers were received (implied by 'no': 13, and assuming 'no' refers to number of offers received, though it's ambiguous), the level of competition and the specific method of solicitation are not fully detailed. SAP can sometimes lead to less robust price discovery compared to larger, more competitive solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP and the number of offers received suggest a moderate level of competition, which is generally favorable for taxpayers. However, the exact impact on price depends on the effectiveness of the solicitation process and the specific market conditions for HVAC services in the region.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Forest Service facilities in New Hampshire requiring essential HVAC maintenance and repair. The services delivered will ensure the operational readiness and comfort of facilities used by Forest Service personnel. The geographic impact is localized to New Hampshire, supporting regional operational needs. The contract supports the skilled trades workforce within the plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Ambiguity in the 'no' field (13) makes it unclear if this represents the number of bids received or another metric, potentially impacting the assessment of competition.
Lack of detailed scope of work prevents a thorough value-for-money assessment.
The specific nature of the HVAC repairs is not defined, making it difficult to compare pricing to market standards.

Positive Signals

Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which can expedite the procurement of necessary goods and services.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Multiple offers (potentially 10) were received, indicating some level of market interest and competition.

Sector Analysis

The HVAC repair contract falls within the broader construction and facilities maintenance sector. This sector is characterized by a mix of large and small businesses providing essential services for government infrastructure. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain aging facilities and ensure operational continuity. Benchmarking this specific contract's value against broader construction or maintenance spending requires a detailed understanding of the scope of work and local labor costs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it provide information on subcontracting opportunities. Given the contract value and the nature of the services, it is plausible that small businesses could participate or be awarded such contracts. Further investigation into the awardee's size status and any subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service contracting officers and potentially the agency's Inspector General. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by fixing the cost. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and oversight reports are not publicly available through this data alone.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Maintenance Contracts
HVAC Services Procurement
Forest Service Operational Support
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not clearly defined.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting facility operations.
Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee best value.
Short contract duration may be insufficient for complex repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $124,958.22 to BRUCE GOMES. WMF ANDRO AND SACO HVAC REPAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRUCE GOMES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $124,958.22.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-19. End: 2026-05-24.

What is the specific scope of work for this HVAC repair contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact scope of work for the HVAC repair contract awarded to Bruce Gomes. It only indicates the general category of 'Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors' (NAICS 238220) and the contract type as 'COMPETED UNDER SAP'. To understand the value and necessity of this contract, details regarding the specific repairs needed (e.g., replacement of a unit, routine maintenance, emergency repair of a specific system) and the affected facilities are crucial. Without this information, it is challenging to assess if the $124,958.22 price is justified or if the duration of 66 days is appropriate for the required tasks.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar HVAC repair services in New Hampshire?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $124,958.22 HVAC repair contract against similar services in New Hampshire is difficult without a detailed scope of work. The contract value is for a 66-day period. Factors influencing pricing include the complexity of the repair, the specific equipment involved, labor rates in the region, and any emergency service premiums. If this contract covers a major system overhaul or replacement, the price might be within market norms. However, for routine maintenance or minor repairs, it could be higher. A proper comparison would require identifying comparable contracts with similar service requirements and geographic locations.

What is the track record of the contractor, Bruce Gomes, with federal contracts?

The provided data identifies 'BRUCE GOMES' as the contractor. To assess their track record, a review of their past federal contract awards, performance history, and any past performance evaluations would be necessary. This would involve searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS for previous contracts awarded to this entity. Understanding their history with similar HVAC repair services, their on-time delivery rates, and any quality issues encountered on previous projects would provide insight into their reliability and capability for this current contract.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract?

Potential risks associated with this contract include scope creep, where the required work expands beyond the initial agreement, potentially increasing costs if not managed properly under the firm-fixed-price structure. Another risk is contractor performance, where delays or substandard work could impact the Forest Service's operations. Given the competition was under SAP, there's a moderate risk that the solicitation process may not have yielded the most competitive pricing. Finally, the short duration could pose a risk if unforeseen complexities arise that require more time than allocated.

How does this spending compare to historical Forest Service spending on HVAC services?

To compare this $124,958.22 contract to historical Forest Service spending on HVAC services, one would need to access historical procurement data. This would involve querying databases for all HVAC-related contracts awarded by the Forest Service over several fiscal years, noting contract values, durations, and scopes of work. Analyzing this historical data would reveal trends in spending, average contract values, and the typical number of bids received for similar services. This comparison would help determine if this specific award is an outlier, consistent with past spending patterns, or indicative of a changing market dynamic.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12445526Q0006

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6 JUDSON DR, FAIRHAVEN, MA, 02719

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $124,958

Exercised Options: $124,958

Current Obligation: $124,958

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline