Temporary chiller rental for SSA costs $64,040, awarded to Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. for 237 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $64,040 ($64.0K)

Contractor: Sunbelt Rentals, Inc

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-11-26

Contract Duration: 237 days

Daily Burn Rate: $270/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR A TEMPORARY CHILLER TO BE INSTALLED AT SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) AT 6401 SECURITY BOULEVARD, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21235.

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $64,040 to SUNBELT RENTALS, INC for work described as: THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR A TEMPORARY CHILLER TO BE INSTALLED AT SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) AT 6401 SECURITY BOULEVARD, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21235. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the short-term nature of the rental and the specialized equipment required. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the temporary nature of the requirement and a fixed-price contract. 4. Performance context is a short-term need for climate control at a federal facility. 5. Sector positioning is within the facilities maintenance and equipment rental industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $64,040 for a 237-day chiller rental appears to be within a reasonable range for temporary, specialized equipment. Benchmarking against similar short-term equipment rentals for federal facilities suggests this price is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure also provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), with 8 offers received. This level of competition, even under SAP, suggests that multiple vendors were aware of and able to bid on the requirement, which generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competed nature of this award indicates that taxpayers benefited from a competitive bidding process, likely resulting in a more favorable price than a sole-source acquisition.

Public Impact

The Social Security Administration facility in Baltimore, Maryland, will benefit from reliable climate control. Essential services at the SSA facility can continue uninterrupted during potential HVAC maintenance or emergencies. The geographic impact is localized to the SSA's operations in Baltimore, Maryland. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving the installation and removal of the temporary chiller.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competed process, indicating market engagement.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short duration limits long-term financial commitment and potential for cost overruns.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the facilities maintenance and equipment rental sector, specifically for HVAC solutions. The market for temporary climate control equipment is robust, with numerous providers capable of meeting short-term federal needs. Comparable spending benchmarks for such rentals vary widely based on equipment size, duration, and location, but the competed nature here suggests a market-driven price.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. As a competed award under SAP, it's possible small businesses participated, but further analysis would be needed to confirm their involvement or impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made by the Social Security Administration, which has established procurement oversight processes. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard federal acquisition regulations and internal agency controls. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Social Security Administration Facilities Management
Temporary HVAC Solutions
Federal Building Maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $64,040 to SUNBELT RENTALS, INC. THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR A TEMPORARY CHILLER TO BE INSTALLED AT SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) AT 6401 SECURITY BOULEVARD, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21235.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SUNBELT RENTALS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $64,040.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-11-26.

What is the typical cost range for temporary chiller rentals of this size and duration for federal facilities?

The typical cost range for temporary chiller rentals can vary significantly based on factors such as chiller capacity (tons of cooling), rental duration, delivery and installation complexity, and geographic location. For a 237-day rental, a cost of $64,040, as seen in this award, suggests a mid-range capacity chiller. Shorter-term rentals (days to weeks) might cost a few thousand dollars per week, while longer-term or larger capacity rentals could easily exceed this amount monthly. Federal agencies often leverage competitive bidding under Simplified Acquisition Procedures for such needs, which helps in obtaining market-based pricing. Without specific technical requirements (e.g., tonnage, power needs), a precise benchmark is difficult, but the number of bids received (8) indicates a competitive market for this service.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type mitigate risk for the government in this scenario?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is highly advantageous for the government in scenarios involving readily available services or equipment, such as temporary chiller rentals. It establishes a ceiling price that will not change, regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred. This shifts the risk of cost overruns entirely to the contractor (Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.). For the Social Security Administration, this means predictable budgeting and protection against unexpected increases in labor, fuel, or maintenance costs associated with providing the temporary chiller. Given the defined scope and duration, an FFP contract is appropriate and minimizes financial uncertainty for this requirement.

What are the potential implications of using a temporary chiller versus a permanent installation?

Using a temporary chiller, as in this case, implies a short-term need, likely for a specific duration such as HVAC system maintenance, repair, or an unexpected failure of permanent equipment. The primary implication is cost-effectiveness for a limited requirement; renting avoids the significant capital expenditure, installation costs, and long-term maintenance associated with purchasing and installing a permanent unit. However, it does not address underlying infrastructure issues. If the need were long-term or recurring, a permanent installation would likely be more economical over time. Temporary solutions also require logistical planning for delivery, setup, and removal, and may have limitations in capacity or integration compared to permanent systems.

What is the significance of the contract being competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

The contract being competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) signifies that the total dollar value of the acquisition is below the threshold defined for full and open competition ($250,000 as of recent regulations, though specific agency thresholds may vary slightly). SAP is designed to streamline the procurement process for smaller value purchases, making it faster and more efficient. The fact that 8 offers were received indicates that the requirement was adequately publicized within the relevant market, allowing multiple vendors, potentially including small businesses, to compete. This process generally yields fair and reasonable prices due to the competitive nature, while reducing administrative burden compared to larger, more complex procurements.

What does the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 238220 indicate about the contractor's capabilities?

The NAICS code 238220, 'Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors,' indicates that Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. (or the specific entity awarded under this code) is classified as a business primarily engaged in the installation and repair of plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning systems. This classification suggests the contractor possesses the necessary technical expertise, licenses, and potentially the equipment inventory to provide and service HVAC solutions, including temporary chiller rentals. Companies under this code typically handle a range of services from residential to large commercial and industrial projects, aligning with the requirements of supplying temporary climate control for a federal facility.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: REFRIG, AIR CONDIT/CIRCULAT EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 28321326Q00000073

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Sunbelt Rentals Inc.

Address: 1799 INNOVATION POINT, FORT MILL, SC, 29715

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $64,040

Exercised Options: $64,040

Current Obligation: $64,040

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline