VA awards $3.39M contract for cable gun locks, with 11 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,390,000 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Veteran Information Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-27

End Date: 2025-09-26

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CABLE GUN LOCKS

Place of Performance

Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80918

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.4 million to VETERAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: CABLE GUN LOCKS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope and duration. 2. Strong competition indicates potential for good price discovery. 3. No immediate red flags identified in contract terms. 4. Performance context is limited to hardware manufacturing. 5. This contract falls within the broader IT hardware procurement sector. 6. Small business participation is not explicitly mandated.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.39 million for a one-year duration for cable gun locks seems within a reasonable range for this type of hardware. Benchmarking against similar federal procurements for security devices suggests competitive pricing. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition. With 11 bidders participating, the level of competition is robust, which typically drives down prices and ensures the government receives fair market value. The number of bidders suggests a healthy market for these types of security devices.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition among 11 bidders is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition award. This ensures that government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving the cable gun locks. The services delivered include the provision of hardware for enhanced safety and security. The geographic impact is primarily within VA facilities nationwide. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving logistics and installation personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Full and open competition with 11 bidders.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Contract awarded to Veteran Information Technologies, LLC, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business.

Sector Analysis

This contract for cable gun locks falls under the broader category of IT hardware and security equipment. The market for such devices is driven by safety regulations and institutional needs for asset protection. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other federal agencies procuring similar security hardware, often through large-scale IT or facilities management contracts.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was competed under SAP, it is not explicitly a small business set-aside. However, the awardee, VETERAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), indicating successful participation of a small business in the federal contracting ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities for other small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is maintained through contract databases like SAM.gov.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Equipment Procurement
Federal Security Hardware Contracts
IT Asset Management Solutions

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions.
Risk of product defects or non-conformance.
Contractor performance and delivery schedule adherence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.4 million to VETERAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. CABLE GUN LOCKS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETERAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-27. End: 2025-09-26.

What is the track record of VETERAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC with the VA?

VETERAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC has a history of receiving contracts from the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), it is often prioritized for certain contract types. A detailed review of their past performance with the VA would involve examining contract completion records, any past performance evaluations, and any disputes or claims filed. This specific contract is a definitive contract, suggesting a more substantial relationship than a simple purchase order. Understanding their performance on previous VA contracts can provide insight into their reliability and capability to fulfill this current award.

How does the price per unit compare to market rates for similar cable gun locks?

Without specific unit details or quantities, a precise per-unit cost comparison is challenging. However, the total contract value of $3.39 million over approximately one year suggests a significant quantity of locks. Federal procurement data often shows that prices for standard hardware items can be competitive when procured in bulk through government contracts. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify the exact model or specifications of the cable gun locks and compare their federal contract price against commercial catalog prices and prices paid by other government agencies for identical or comparable items. The firm fixed-price nature of this contract implies the price was determined to be fair and reasonable at the time of award.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low, given the nature of the product. Potential risks include: 1. Supply chain disruptions: Any issues in the manufacturing or delivery of the cable gun locks could impact the VA's ability to deploy them. 2. Product quality or defects: While unlikely for standard hardware, defective units could pose a risk. 3. Obsolescence: Though less likely for simple locks, the technology could theoretically become outdated. 4. Contractor performance: While VETERAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC is an established entity, any failure to meet delivery schedules or quality standards would be a risk. The firm fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government.

How effective are cable gun locks in preventing unauthorized access or misuse?

Cable gun locks are a widely adopted security measure designed to prevent the accidental discharge or unauthorized use of firearms. They work by physically preventing the firearm from being loaded or fired. Their effectiveness is generally considered high for their intended purpose, especially in environments where safety is paramount, such as healthcare facilities or public spaces. However, they are not a substitute for secure storage solutions like gun safes. Their primary benefit is in immediate, temporary prevention of firearm use. The VA's decision to procure these likely stems from a policy or safety initiative aimed at reducing firearm-related incidents within its facilities or among its patient population.

What is the historical spending trend for cable gun locks or similar security devices by the VA?

Historical spending data for 'cable gun locks' specifically might be granular and not easily aggregated. However, the VA, like other large federal agencies, consistently spends significant amounts on security equipment and hardware. This includes access control systems, surveillance equipment, and physical security devices. Spending on items like cable gun locks would likely be part of broader security upgrades or ongoing safety initiatives. Analyzing past VA budgets and contract awards for security hardware categories would reveal trends. A contract of this size ($3.39M) suggests a significant, potentially recurring need for such devices, possibly tied to specific VA safety protocols or mandates.

Are there any specific performance metrics outlined in the contract?

The provided data does not detail specific performance metrics. However, for a hardware supply contract, typical performance metrics would include on-time delivery, adherence to specifications, and quality control. The contract likely includes clauses for acceptance testing and remedies for non-conforming goods. The firm fixed-price nature implies that the contractor is responsible for delivering the specified quantity of cable gun locks meeting all technical requirements within the contract period. Failure to meet these implied or explicit metrics could lead to contract termination or penalties.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HARDWARE AND ABRASIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C10X24Q0265

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5475 MARK DABLING BLVD STE 320, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 80918

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,390,000

Exercised Options: $3,390,000

Current Obligation: $3,390,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline