VA awards $1.66M contract for Legionella testing services to Mabbett & Associates, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $166,188 ($166.2K)

Contractor: Mabbett & Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $457/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEGIONELLA TESTING

Place of Performance

Location: AUGUSTA, KENNEBEC County, MAINE, 04330

State: Maine Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $166,188 to MABBETT & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: LEGIONELLA TESTING Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential environmental consulting for Legionella risk management. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract appear to be favorable, indicated by its 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' status. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, given the specialized nature of environmental consulting and potential for unforeseen site conditions. 4. Performance context suggests a need for consistent, reliable testing to ensure public health and safety. 5. Sector positioning is within environmental consulting services, a critical support function for government facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.66 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar Legionella testing and environmental consulting contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, assuming the scope of work is well-defined. The contractor, MABBETT & ASSOCIATES, INC., has experience in this domain, which can contribute to efficient service delivery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process suitable for acquisitions below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages broad participation. This level of competition is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government receives competitive offers for the required environmental consulting services.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome for taxpayers compared to a sole-source award. It ensures that multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid, fostering price discovery and potentially leading to savings.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs facilities benefit from enhanced Legionella risk management and improved water safety. Services delivered include specialized environmental consulting and testing to identify and mitigate Legionella risks. Geographic impact is focused on facilities within the contractor's service area, likely supporting VA operations in Maine. Workforce implications include the need for skilled environmental consultants and technicians to perform the testing and analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen environmental conditions require extensive remediation beyond initial testing.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate identification and reporting of Legionella risks.
Ensuring consistent quality of testing across all VA facilities covered under the contract.

Positive Signals

Contract utilizes a firm-fixed-price structure, providing cost certainty for the government.
The award to MABBETT & ASSOCIATES, INC. leverages a company with demonstrated experience in environmental consulting.
Competition under SAP suggests a robust bidding process that should yield competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is crucial for regulatory compliance and public health, particularly for large institutions like the Department of Veterans Affairs. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Spending in this area is driven by the need for specialized expertise in areas such as water quality management, hazardous materials assessment, and environmental compliance. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government-wide contracts for environmental services or specific agency solicitations for similar testing and consulting needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, if MABBETT & ASSOCIATES, INC. chooses to engage small businesses for specialized tasks. Without specific subcontracting plans detailed, the direct benefit to small businesses from this particular award is not immediately apparent.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Water Quality Management
Public Health Services
Facility Maintenance and Operations
Legionella Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for undiscovered environmental hazards requiring additional services.
Reliance on contractor's specialized knowledge for accurate assessment.
Ensuring consistent quality and adherence to testing protocols across multiple sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $166,188 to MABBETT & ASSOCIATES, INC.. LEGIONELLA TESTING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MABBETT & ASSOCIATES, INC..

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 $166,188.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is MABBETT & ASSOCIATES, INC.'s track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and similar federal agencies?

MABBETT & ASSOCIATES, INC. has a history of performing environmental consulting services for various federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their past performance data, available through federal procurement databases, would detail the types of services rendered, contract values, and performance ratings. Analyzing these records can provide insight into their reliability, expertise, and ability to meet government requirements. For this specific contract, the VA's decision to award it suggests a positive assessment of MABBETT's past performance and capabilities relevant to Legionella testing and environmental consulting.

How does the $1.66 million contract value compare to similar Legionella testing and environmental consulting contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

The $1.66 million contract value for a one-year duration (with potential for extensions) for Legionella testing and environmental consulting appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized services. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against contracts of similar scope, duration, and geographic coverage. Factors such as the number of facilities to be tested, the complexity of the environmental assessments, and the specific testing methodologies employed can significantly influence pricing. Without access to detailed comparative contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but it aligns with typical expenditures for such critical public health services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include the potential for unforeseen environmental conditions at VA facilities that could complicate testing or necessitate additional remediation beyond the contract's scope. Another risk is the reliance on the contractor's expertise for accurate testing and reporting; any deficiencies could impact public health. Mitigation strategies likely involve a clearly defined scope of work, robust performance monitoring by the VA, and potentially contingency planning for unexpected findings. The firm-fixed-price contract structure also helps mitigate cost overruns if the scope remains controlled.

How effective are Legionella testing and environmental consulting services in preventing outbreaks and ensuring water safety in federal facilities?

Legionella testing and environmental consulting are critical components of a comprehensive water management program designed to prevent Legionella outbreaks. Regular testing identifies the presence of the bacteria, while consulting services help facilities understand risk factors, implement control measures (like water temperature management, flushing, and disinfection), and develop robust water safety plans. The effectiveness hinges on the quality of testing, the accuracy of risk assessments, and the diligent implementation of recommended control strategies by facility management. Consistent application of these services significantly reduces the risk of Legionella growth and subsequent infections.

What has been the historical spending trend for Legionella testing and environmental consulting services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending data for Legionella testing and environmental consulting by the Department of Veterans Affairs would reveal trends in their investment in water safety and facility environmental health. Analyzing past expenditures can indicate whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable over time, potentially reflecting changes in regulatory emphasis, identified risks, or budget allocations. This specific $1.66 million award contributes to the overall VA expenditure in this category for the current fiscal year. A deeper analysis would require examining multi-year spending patterns across various VA facilities and service lines.

What is the typical duration and value range for environmental consulting contracts of this nature?

Environmental consulting contracts, particularly those involving specialized testing like Legionella, can vary significantly in duration and value. Base periods often range from one to three years, with options for extensions. Contract values are heavily dependent on the scope of services, the number of facilities or sites involved, and the complexity of the environmental challenges. Contracts can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually, especially for large organizations like the VA with numerous facilities nationwide. This $1.66 million award for a one-year period appears consistent with contracts for comprehensive environmental services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 105 CENTRAL ST, STONEHAM, MA, 02180

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $166,188

Exercised Options: $166,188

Current Obligation: $166,188

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24122D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline