VA awards $3.19M contract for fire damper inspection and repair, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $319,125 ($319.1K)

Contractor: Rascap LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2031-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,811 days

Daily Burn Rate: $176/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INSPECT & REPAIR FIRE DAMPERS

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10010

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $319,125 to RASCAP LLC for work described as: INSPECT & REPAIR FIRE DAMPERS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of specialized trade services. 2. Competition level suggests adequate market interest for this type of facility maintenance. 3. Contract duration extends over 5 years, indicating a need for ongoing service. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. Geographic focus on New York suggests localized service delivery. 6. Specialty trade services are critical for maintaining building safety standards.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.19 million over approximately 5 years for fire damper inspection and repair seems within a reasonable range for specialized facility maintenance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for building systems maintenance in the New York region would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely solicited broadly to qualified vendors. With three bidders, there was a moderate level of competition, which generally helps in achieving fair market prices. The specific solicitation details would clarify the extent of outreach and the number of proposals received.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition among three bidders suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from competitive pricing, avoiding potential overcharges associated with sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs facilities in New York will benefit from ensured fire safety compliance. Services include inspection and repair of critical fire safety systems. The contract supports specialized trade labor within the New York region. Ensures compliance with building codes and safety regulations for VA facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial inspections reveal extensive repair needs not fully anticipated.
Reliance on a single contractor for an extended period could lead to complacency if oversight is lax.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Competition, even with three bidders, provides a baseline for fair pricing.
Long-term contract allows for consistent service and relationship building with the provider.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Specialty Trade Contractors sector, specifically focusing on building equipment contractors. This sector is crucial for maintaining the operational integrity and safety of commercial and government facilities. The market for such services is often localized, with demand driven by building codes, safety regulations, and the need for regular maintenance of critical systems like fire dampers.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis of the solicitation and award documents would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs' facility management and contracting officers. Accountability is established through the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring specific deliverables (inspection reports, repairs) by a set deadline. Transparency is generally facilitated by the federal procurement data system, though detailed inspection findings may be internal.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Specialty Trade Services Contracts
Fire Safety System Maintenance
Department of Veterans Affairs Facility Management

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Performance Risk
Scope Definition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $319,125 to RASCAP LLC. INSPECT & REPAIR FIRE DAMPERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RASCAP 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 $319,125.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2031-03-31.

What is the historical spending by the VA on fire damper inspection and repair services in the New York region?

Historical spending data for fire damper inspection and repair services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) specifically within the New York region is not directly available in the provided data. However, the current award of $3.19 million over approximately five years (ending March 2031) suggests a significant and ongoing need for these specialized services. To assess historical patterns, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for similar contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies in the same geographic area over the past 5-10 years. This would help establish a baseline for annual spending and identify any trends in contract values or durations.

How does the per-unit cost of inspecting or repairing a fire damper under this contract compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining the precise per-unit cost for inspecting or repairing a fire damper under this contract is challenging without a detailed breakdown of the contract's deliverables and pricing structure. The contract is for a broad scope of services over several years, rather than a fixed number of units. To benchmark, one would need to know the estimated number of dampers to be inspected and repaired, and the associated costs. Industry benchmarks for fire damper inspections can range significantly based on building complexity, damper type, and accessibility, often falling between $50-$200 per inspection. Repair costs are highly variable depending on the issue. A comparative analysis would require obtaining the contractor's detailed cost proposal or comparing this contract's total value against the total number of dampers serviced across all VA facilities in the region over the contract period.

What is RASCAP LLC's track record with the VA and other federal agencies for similar specialty trade services?

Information regarding RASCAP LLC's specific track record with the VA or other federal agencies for specialty trade services, including fire damper maintenance, is not detailed in the provided award data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), contract history, and any reported disputes or awards associated with RASCAP LLC. Examining their portfolio of previously awarded federal contracts, their performance ratings on those contracts, and their experience with similar facility maintenance requirements would provide insight into their reliability and capability to execute this current contract successfully.

What are the primary risks associated with a 5-year firm fixed-price contract for facility maintenance services?

A significant risk with a 5-year firm fixed-price contract for facility maintenance is the potential for the contractor to face unforeseen cost increases (e.g., labor, materials) over the contract term, which could lead to reduced profit margins or, in extreme cases, contractor default or requests for equitable adjustments. Conversely, if the initial pricing was too high or the scope was underestimated, the government might end up overpaying. Another risk is contractor performance degradation over time due to complacency or resource reallocation. Effective risk mitigation involves robust contract oversight, clear performance metrics, and contingency planning for potential issues like contractor failure or the need for significant scope changes.

How does the $3.19M contract value compare to overall VA spending on facility maintenance and repair?

The $3.19 million contract value for fire damper inspection and repair represents a small fraction of the Department of Veterans Affairs' overall budget for facility maintenance and repair. The VA operates a vast network of hospitals, clinics, and administrative buildings nationwide, requiring substantial and continuous investment in maintaining these complex facilities. Annual spending on facility operations, maintenance, and repair across the entire VA system typically runs into the billions of dollars. Therefore, while this specific contract is significant for the services it covers in the New York region, it should be viewed as one component within a much larger, comprehensive facilities management program.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Specialty Trade Contractors › All Other Specialty Trade 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: 36C24226B0034

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3606 NICHOLAS ST, EASTON, PA, 18045

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $319,125

Exercised Options: $319,125

Current Obligation: $319,125

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline