VA Awards $3.9M Contract for Bedford VAMC Elevator Replacement, Phase 3

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,895,414 ($3.9M)

Contractor: Veteran Elevated Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-03-06

End Date: 2027-07-04

Contract Duration: 850 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: BEDFORD ELEVATOR REPLACEMENT PHASE 3 CONSTRUCTION. REPLACE AND/OR REFURBISH 6 ELEVATORS AT BEDFORD VAMC.

Place of Performance

Location: BEDFORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01730

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.9 million to VETERAN ELEVATED SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: BEDFORD ELEVATOR REPLACEMENT PHASE 3 CONSTRUCTION. REPLACE AND/OR REFURBISH 6 ELEVATORS AT BEDFORD VAMC. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Veteran Elevated Solutions, LLC for $3.9M. 2. Project involves replacing/refurbishing 6 elevators at Bedford VAMC. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources'. 4. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price with a duration of 850 days. 5. No small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.9M for elevator replacement and refurbishment seems reasonable given the scope of 6 elevators. Benchmarking against similar VAMC projects or large-scale elevator modernization contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract utilized 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a competitive process was intended. The specific exclusion of sources needs further clarification to fully assess price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure upgrades at a VA facility, aiming to improve accessibility and safety for veterans.

Public Impact

Improved accessibility and safety for veterans and staff at Bedford VAMC. Modernization of critical building infrastructure. Potential for service disruptions during phased replacement. Ensures compliance with modern elevator safety standards.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 45 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Potential for delays in construction impacting facility operations.
Firm Fixed Price may not account for unforeseen site conditions.

Positive Signals

Essential infrastructure upgrade for veteran services.
Competitive bidding process utilized.
Clear project scope and defined completion date.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the construction and building equipment sector, specifically focusing on vertical transportation systems. Spending benchmarks for similar VAMC infrastructure projects or large-scale elevator modernization efforts would be relevant for comparison.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Further investigation may be needed to understand if opportunities were overlooked or if the nature of the work precluded small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the contracting and awarding agency. Standard oversight for construction projects, including site inspections and progress monitoring, should be in place to ensure quality and adherence to schedule.

Related Government Programs

Other Building Equipment Contractors
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

No small business participation.
Potential for cost increases due to unforeseen site conditions under FFP.
Risk of operational disruptions during phased construction.
Contract duration of 850 days is substantial for elevator work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.9 million to VETERAN ELEVATED SOLUTIONS, LLC. BEDFORD ELEVATOR REPLACEMENT PHASE 3 CONSTRUCTION. REPLACE AND/OR REFURBISH 6 ELEVATORS AT BEDFORD VAMC.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETERAN ELEVATED SOLUTIONS, 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 $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-06. End: 2027-07-04.

What specific factors led to the exclusion of certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' method, and how did this impact the final price?

The exclusion of sources in a full and open competition typically occurs when specific technical requirements, past performance, or unique capabilities are necessary, and only a limited number of contractors can meet them. This can sometimes reduce the competitive landscape, potentially impacting price discovery. Understanding the rationale behind the exclusion is crucial to determine if it was justified and if the resulting price reflects fair market value.

What are the potential risks associated with a Firm Fixed Price contract for a multi-year elevator replacement project, especially concerning unforeseen site conditions?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract locks in the price regardless of the contractor's actual costs. For a multi-year construction project like elevator replacement, unforeseen site conditions (e.g., structural issues, unexpected utility conflicts) can significantly increase the contractor's expenses. While FFP offers cost certainty to the government, it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. If significant unforeseen issues arise, the contractor might seek change orders, potentially increasing the overall cost, or face financial strain.

How will the phased replacement of elevators impact the daily operations and accessibility for veterans and staff at the Bedford VAMC during the 850-day contract period?

The phased replacement strategy is designed to minimize disruption, but some impact on daily operations and accessibility is inevitable. The effectiveness of this mitigation will depend on the contractor's scheduling, communication with facility management, and the availability of alternative vertical transportation. Clear signage, temporary access solutions, and proactive communication with users will be critical to managing the user experience and ensuring continued access to services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Other Building Equipment Contractors

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 36C24125B0003

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2911 N 11TH ST, TACOMA, WA, 98406

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,895,414

Exercised Options: $3,895,414

Current Obligation: $3,895,414

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline