NOAA awards $16,516 contract for fire sprinkler system services at Auke Bay Laboratory

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,516 ($16.5K)

Contractor: Harri Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 113 days

Daily Burn Rate: $146/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM INSPECTIONS AND EVALUATION FOR AUKE BAY LABORATORY. NOAA APPROVAL #OR-FY26-01444.

Place of Performance

Location: JUNEAU, JUNEAU County, ALASKA, 99801

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $16,516 to HARRI PLUMBING & HEATING, INC. for work described as: FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM INSPECTIONS AND EVALUATION FOR AUKE BAY LABORATORY. NOAA APPROVAL #OR-FY26-01444. Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 2. The short duration of the contract (approx. 3.5 months) indicates a need for immediate or short-term services. 3. The award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), typical for smaller dollar value procurements. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The geographic location in Alaska may present logistical challenges and potentially higher costs. 6. The contractor, HARRI PLUMBING & HEATING, INC., is a new awardee for this specific service with NOAA.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $16,516 is modest. Benchmarking against similar fire sprinkler inspection contracts is difficult without more specific service details and geographic comparisons. However, given the small scale and fixed-price nature, the pricing appears reasonable for a localized service. The limited duration suggests a specific, perhaps urgent, need rather than a long-term maintenance agreement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition than sole-source but may not involve the same level of outreach as full and open competition for larger contracts. The number of bidders is not specified, but SAP is designed to encourage competition for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP aims to ensure fair and reasonable pricing for taxpayers by allowing multiple vendors to bid on the requirement.

Public Impact

The Auke Bay Laboratory in Alaska will benefit from ensured fire safety compliance. Services include inspections and evaluations of the fire sprinkler system. The geographic impact is localized to the Auke Bay Laboratory facility. The contract supports the operational readiness and safety of a NOAA research facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited contract duration may not cover long-term system health.
Geographic isolation of Alaska could impact response times or material availability.
New awardee for this specific service may require ramp-up time.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract aligns contractor incentives with cost control.
SAP competition aims for fair market pricing.
Award to a specific plumbing and heating company suggests relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

The fire protection services sector is critical for maintaining safety standards across federal facilities. This contract falls under the broader construction and maintenance services category, specifically focusing on specialized systems like fire sprinklers. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by regulatory compliance and the need to protect valuable assets and personnel. The market includes numerous contractors capable of providing these services, with competition varying based on contract size, location, and complexity.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not provided for this specific award. As the contract was competed under SAP and awarded as a purchase order, it's possible it was not specifically set aside for small businesses, though small businesses are generally encouraged to participate in SAP procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting office and potentially the Department of Commerce's Inspector General. The purchase order format implies a defined scope and payment terms, with performance verification expected upon completion. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fire Protection Services
Facility Maintenance Contracts
NOAA Infrastructure Support
Construction and Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Potential performance risk due to contractor's limited federal history.
Logistical challenges associated with remote Alaskan location.
Short contract duration may limit comprehensive system assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $16,516 to HARRI PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM INSPECTIONS AND EVALUATION FOR AUKE BAY LABORATORY. NOAA APPROVAL #OR-FY26-01444.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARRI PLUMBING & HEATING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16,516.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of HARRI PLUMBING & HEATING, INC. with federal agencies, particularly NOAA?

Based on the provided data, this appears to be a new award for HARRI PLUMBING & HEATING, INC. for fire sprinkler system inspections and evaluation with NOAA. Further research into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to determine if the company has a broader history of federal contracts, including with other agencies or for different types of services. Without historical data, it's difficult to assess their established track record specifically within the federal contracting space for this type of specialized work.

How does the $16,516 contract value compare to similar fire sprinkler inspection contracts awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies?

The $16,516 contract value is relatively low, characteristic of a purchase order awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). Similar contracts for fire sprinkler inspections can range significantly in price depending on the size and complexity of the facility, the scope of services (e.g., routine inspection vs. system evaluation or repair), and the geographic location. For a single facility like the Auke Bay Laboratory, this value suggests a focused, likely short-term service requirement. Larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive fire protection systems at major federal installations would typically be valued much higher.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering the contractor and location?

Key risks include potential performance issues from a potentially new federal contractor, especially given the specialized nature of fire sprinkler systems. The remote location of Alaska (Auke Bay Laboratory) presents logistical challenges, potentially impacting the contractor's ability to access the site, procure necessary parts, or respond to emergencies promptly. The short contract duration also implies a need for immediate service, where any delays could have a more significant impact on operational continuity and safety compliance. Finally, the fixed-price nature means the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, but this could also incentivize cutting corners if not properly monitored.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring value for money for this type of service?

SAP is designed to streamline the procurement process for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), aiming to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burden. For a contract of $16,516, SAP is generally effective in facilitating timely award and potentially encouraging competition among a wider pool of vendors than sole-source procurement. However, the level of competition and the thoroughness of price analysis under SAP might be less rigorous than for larger, more complex procurements. The value for money ultimately depends on the quality of the services delivered and whether the pricing obtained was indeed competitive for the specific scope and location.

What is the historical spending pattern for fire sprinkler system maintenance and inspection at the Auke Bay Laboratory?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for fire sprinkler system maintenance and inspection at the Auke Bay Laboratory. This specific award (NOAA Approval #OR-FY26-01444) is for Fiscal Year 2026. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services at this specific facility or within the NOAA Alaska region over previous fiscal years. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for relevant contract actions.

What are the implications of the firm fixed-price contract type for NOAA and HARRI PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract means the contractor, HARRI PLUMBING & HEATING, INC., is obligated to perform the work for a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs. This shifts the primary cost risk to the contractor. For NOAA, this provides budget certainty, as the total cost is known upfront. However, if the contractor underbids or encounters unforeseen difficulties, they may incur losses. Conversely, if the contractor is highly efficient, they retain any cost savings, which could potentially lead to less incentive for maximum effort if not carefully monitored through performance metrics.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › INSPECTION SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1333MF26Q0015

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 809 W 12TH ST, JUNEAU, AK, 99801

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,516

Exercised Options: $16,516

Current Obligation: $16,516

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline