VA awards $597K for water tank valve replacement, highlighting potential for efficient infrastructure upgrades

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $59,722 ($59.7K)

Contractor: Ameritech Contracting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-01-26

End Date: 2026-07-25

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $332/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: WATER TANK ISOLATION VALVE REPLACEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: BERLIN, HARTFORD County, CONNECTICUT, 06037

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $59,722 to AMERITECH CONTRACTING LLC for work described as: WATER TANK ISOLATION VALVE REPLACEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Ameritech Contracting LLC for essential facility maintenance. 2. The contract falls under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller, efficient procurements. 3. A firm-fixed-price structure indicates clear cost expectations and risk allocation. 4. The relatively short performance period of 180 days points to a focused scope of work. 5. This award contributes to the ongoing modernization of VA facilities to ensure operational readiness.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $597,220 for a water tank isolation valve replacement appears reasonable given the scope and the contractor's specialization. While direct comparisons are difficult without more granular data on specific valve types and installation complexity, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar facility maintenance contracts within the VA or other federal agencies for plumbing and HVAC services would offer further insight into value for money. The award amount is within the typical range for such specialized repair and replacement tasks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for procurements under the federal micro-purchase threshold. The data indicates 5 bidders participated in this solicitation. The level of competition suggests that the VA sought multiple quotes to ensure a competitive price and identify qualified contractors for this essential service. The presence of multiple bidders is a positive sign for price discovery and efficient use of funds.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition among 5 bidders for this contract likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source award. This process helps ensure that government funds are used efficiently for necessary infrastructure maintenance.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving services at the facility will benefit from improved infrastructure reliability. The contract ensures the continued operational integrity of water systems within the VA facility. The geographic impact is localized to the specific VA facility in Connecticut where the work will be performed. Local skilled trades and potentially small businesses could be involved in subcontracting opportunities, supporting the regional workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen issues arise with the water tank system beyond the specified valve replacement.
Dependence on contractor's adherence to strict timelines to avoid disruption of facility operations.
Ensuring quality of materials and workmanship to prevent future failures.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits financial risk for the government.
Multiple bidders indicate a healthy competitive environment, likely leading to better pricing.
Award to a specialized contractor suggests expertise in performing the required task efficiently.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Construction and Facilities Maintenance sector, specifically focusing on specialized plumbing and HVAC services. The market for such services is generally robust, with numerous contractors capable of performing repairs and replacements. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services across its vast portfolio of buildings and infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar contracts for facility upgrades and maintenance within the federal government would reveal spending patterns, but this specific award appears to be a targeted investment in essential infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). However, the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) often provides opportunities for small businesses to compete and win contracts. While there's no explicit subcontracting requirement mentioned, the prime contractor, Ameritech Contracting LLC, may engage small businesses for specialized labor or materials, contributing to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, likely through a contracting officer's representative (COR) who will monitor performance, adherence to specifications, and timely completion. As a purchase order under SAP, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency is maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Facility Maintenance and Repair
Federal Building Infrastructure Upgrades
Plumbing and HVAC Services Contracts
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen complications during valve replacement impacting schedule.
Ensuring contractor compliance with all safety and environmental regulations.
Verification of contractor's qualifications and past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $59,722 to AMERITECH CONTRACTING LLC. WATER TANK ISOLATION VALVE REPLACEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERITECH CONTRACTING 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 $59,722.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-26. End: 2026-07-25.

What is Ameritech Contracting LLC's track record with the federal government, particularly with the VA?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Ameritech Contracting LLC has received federal awards, including from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Analyzing their past performance, including contract values, types of services rendered, and any performance evaluations or disputes, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise. For this specific contract, the VA's selection of Ameritech suggests they met the required qualifications and demonstrated a capacity to perform the work. Further investigation into their award history could reveal patterns in contract types (e.g., construction, maintenance) and their success rate in fulfilling these obligations.

How does the $597,220 award compare to similar water tank isolation valve replacement projects within the VA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $597,220 award requires comparing it against similar projects involving water tank isolation valve replacements in federal facilities. Factors such as the size and type of the water tank, the complexity of the existing plumbing infrastructure, the specific valve specifications, and the labor costs in the geographic region (Connecticut) are crucial for a fair comparison. Without access to detailed project scopes and cost breakdowns for comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure and the competitive bidding process (5 bidders) suggest an effort to achieve competitive pricing for this essential maintenance task.

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

Primary risks for this contract include potential delays due to unforeseen site conditions, contractor performance issues, or material availability. The 180-day performance period and firm-fixed-price structure aim to mitigate some of these risks. The VA's oversight through a COR is critical for monitoring progress and addressing issues promptly. The competitive award process also reduces the risk of selecting an unqualified contractor. However, the inherent complexity of plumbing systems means that unexpected problems could arise, potentially impacting the schedule or cost if not managed effectively through contract clauses and vigilant oversight.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for facility maintenance contracts like this one?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below the federal micro-purchase threshold, aiming for efficiency and speed. For contracts like this water tank valve replacement, SAP allows agencies to solicit quotes from multiple sources, fostering competition. The fact that 5 bidders participated suggests SAP was effective in attracting a reasonable number of interested parties. While SAP prioritizes efficiency, it generally provides sufficient opportunity for price discovery and competition, especially when used appropriately for well-defined requirements. The ultimate effectiveness depends on the agency's diligence in soliciting adequate quotes and evaluating them properly.

What is the historical spending trend for water tank maintenance and repair at this specific VA facility or within the VA system?

Analyzing historical spending for water tank maintenance and repair at this specific VA facility or across the VA system would provide valuable context for the current $597,220 award. Understanding past expenditures, frequency of repairs, and the types of issues encountered can indicate whether this contract represents a routine maintenance cost, a response to a critical failure, or an investment in system upgrades. Without access to historical VA budget and expenditure data specific to this type of maintenance, it's difficult to establish a trend. However, consistent spending in this area would underscore the ongoing need for robust facility infrastructure management.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24126Q0148

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 318 MAIN ST, BERLIN, CT, 06037

Business Categories: Category Business, 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: $59,722

Exercised Options: $59,722

Current Obligation: $59,722

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline