VA awards $3.1M elevator maintenance contract to DCB Elevator Co. Inc. for Buffalo VA Medical Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,127,674 ($3.1M)

Contractor: DCB Elevator CO Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-12-01

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BUFFALO VA MEDICAL CENTER - ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE SERVICE AGREEMENT (BASE PLUS 4 OPTION YEARS)

Place of Performance

Location: BUFFALO, ERIE County, NEW YORK, 14215

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.1 million to DCB ELEVATOR CO INC for work described as: BUFFALO VA MEDICAL CENTER - ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE SERVICE AGREEMENT (BASE PLUS 4 OPTION YEARS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for elevator maintenance services, indicating a need for ongoing facility upkeep. 2. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) suggests a standard service agreement length. 3. Awarded to DCB Elevator Co. Inc., a specific provider for this essential service. 4. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price type, which helps in budget predictability. 5. The base contract value is not explicitly stated, but the total potential value is $3.1M. 6. The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this elevator maintenance contract is challenging without specific service level agreements or detailed scope of work. The total award value of $3.1M over three years for a single medical center's elevator maintenance appears within a reasonable range for specialized facility services. However, a direct comparison to similar contracts at other VA facilities or for comparable medical centers would be necessary to definitively assess value for money. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but could limit flexibility if unforeseen issues arise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which are typically used for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold. While this indicates some level of competition, the specific number of bidders is not provided. SAP aims to streamline the procurement process for smaller dollar value contracts, but the level of competition might be less robust than for larger, more complex procurements. The use of SAP suggests the agency sought to efficiently acquire these services.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this contract likely resulted in a competitive price, benefiting taxpayers by ensuring cost-effectiveness for essential maintenance services.

Public Impact

Patients and staff at the Buffalo VA Medical Center will benefit from reliable elevator functionality, ensuring accessibility and smooth operations. The contract ensures the continued maintenance of critical vertical transportation systems within the medical facility. The geographic impact is localized to Buffalo, New York, serving the specific needs of the VA medical center there. The contract supports the operational workforce by ensuring the infrastructure they rely on is maintained.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics or service level agreements in the provided data.
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen major repairs are required under a fixed-price contract.
Limited insight into the specific scope of maintenance beyond general 'elevator maintenance'.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
Long-term agreement (3 years) indicates a stable relationship for consistent service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The elevator maintenance sector is a critical component of facility management across various industries, including healthcare. For medical centers, reliable elevator systems are essential for patient transport, staff movement, and supply delivery. The market for elevator maintenance is typically characterized by specialized service providers who offer preventative maintenance, repairs, and modernization services. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary significantly based on the number of elevators, their age, type, and the complexity of the facility. This contract fits within the broader facilities maintenance and repair services category for government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are a requirement. Given the nature of specialized elevator maintenance, it is possible that the primary contractor is a larger entity, but subcontracting could still be utilized. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and facility management personnel. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

VA Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Healthcare Facility Support Services
Elevator and Escalator Maintenance Services
Federal Building Operations and Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation if unforeseen major repairs are needed under FFP.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective evaluation difficult.
Limited detail on the scope of 'elevator maintenance' beyond routine service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.1 million to DCB ELEVATOR CO INC. BUFFALO VA MEDICAL CENTER - ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE SERVICE AGREEMENT (BASE PLUS 4 OPTION YEARS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DCB ELEVATOR CO 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 $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-01. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for elevator maintenance at the Buffalo VA Medical Center?

Historical spending data for elevator maintenance at the Buffalo VA Medical Center is not provided in the current dataset. To assess historical patterns, one would need to review previous contracts for similar services awarded to this facility or its predecessors. Analyzing past expenditures would allow for a comparison against the current $3.1M award over three years, helping to identify trends in cost, contract duration, and contractor performance. Understanding historical spending is crucial for evaluating whether the current contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in elevator maintenance.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for elevator maintenance?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for this contract is difficult without knowing the exact number and type of elevators being maintained at the Buffalo VA Medical Center. Elevator maintenance costs can be benchmarked per elevator, per square foot of facility space, or as a percentage of the facility's overall operating budget. Given the total award of $3.1M over three years, the average annual cost is approximately $1.03M. If the facility has, for example, 20 elevators, this would equate to roughly $51,500 per elevator per year. This figure needs to be compared against industry data for similar-sized medical facilities and elevator fleets to assess if it is competitive.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this elevator maintenance contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this elevator maintenance contract. Typically, for such services, KPIs would include metrics like response time for emergency calls, preventative maintenance completion rates, uptime percentages for elevators, and adherence to safety standards. The contract's statement of work and any associated performance work statement would detail these requirements. Without these specific KPIs, it is challenging to objectively assess the contractor's performance and the overall effectiveness of the maintenance program.

What is the track record of DCB Elevator Co. Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the VA?

Information regarding the specific track record of DCB Elevator Co. Inc. with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Veterans Affairs, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of service, adherence to budget, and any past performance issues or awards. Examining their contract history, including the number and value of previous awards, and any reported disputes or terminations, would provide crucial context for evaluating their reliability and suitability for this role.

What is the potential risk associated with a Firm Fixed Price contract for elevator maintenance?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for elevator maintenance, while offering cost certainty, carries potential risks. If unforeseen major repairs or component failures occur that are not explicitly excluded or covered under the scope of routine maintenance, the contractor may incur significant unexpected costs. This could lead to the contractor seeking change orders, potentially increasing the overall cost to the government, or conversely, the contractor might cut corners on service to maintain profitability, impacting reliability. The VA must ensure the scope of work clearly defines what constitutes routine maintenance versus major repairs to mitigate these risks.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24223Q1198

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 N 3RD ST, LEWISTON, NY, 14092

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,064,443

Exercised Options: $3,127,674

Current Obligation: $3,127,674

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline