VA awards $50K for UPS maintenance at Altoona Medical Center, extending coverage for 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,000 ($50.0K)

Contractor: Dash Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-04-07

End Date: 2027-04-06

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: POST-WARRANTY FOR UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY MAINTENANCE FOR ONE (1) TOSHIBA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION G8000. SERIAL NUMBER. 101000814 FOR THE ALTOONA VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: ALTOONA, BLAIR County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16602

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $49,999.8 to DASH TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: POST-WARRANTY FOR UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY MAINTENANCE FOR ONE (1) TOSHIBA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION G8000. SERIAL NUMBER. 101000814 FOR THE ALTOONA VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER Key points: 1. Contract ensures critical power infrastructure reliability for patient care. 2. Competition was conducted under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process for smaller procurements. 3. The fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs over the contract term. 4. This award represents a small portion of the VA's overall IT and facilities maintenance spending. 5. The duration of the contract aligns with typical maintenance cycles for such equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $49,999.80 for five years of maintenance for a single UPS unit appears reasonable. While direct comparisons are difficult without specific model and service level details, the annual cost is approximately $10,000. This falls within expected ranges for specialized maintenance of critical power systems, especially considering the vendor's likely expertise with Toshiba equipment. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the VA.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which are typically used for procurements valued below a certain threshold (often $250,000). This indicates that multiple offers were likely solicited, though the specific number of bidders is not provided. The use of SAP suggests a focus on efficiency and timely award for this relatively small value requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Utilizing SAP for this procurement likely resulted in administrative cost savings for both the government and potential offerors, leading to a more efficient use of taxpayer funds for this specific need.

Public Impact

Patients at the Altoona Veterans Affairs Medical Center benefit from uninterrupted power to critical medical equipment. The contract ensures the operational continuity of the hospital's IT and life support systems. Services are delivered at the Altoona, Pennsylvania facility. This contract supports specialized maintenance technicians, likely contributing to local employment in skilled trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized parts are required and only available from the original equipment manufacturer.
Reliance on a single vendor for maintenance could lead to price increases in future renewals if competition is not re-established.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the duration of the award.
The 5-year term offers long-term assurance of critical infrastructure support.
Awarding to a known entity (DASH TECHNOLOGIES INC) may indicate a positive past performance history.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Facilities Maintenance sector, specifically focusing on critical power infrastructure. The market for UPS maintenance is competitive, with specialized providers often focusing on specific brands or types of equipment. The VA, like other federal agencies, relies on such contracts to ensure the operational readiness of its medical facilities, which are heavily dependent on reliable power for patient care and sensitive equipment.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided for this award. Given the relatively small value and the nature of specialized maintenance, it's possible that larger, specialized firms or original equipment manufacturer service partners were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and program managers responsible for the Altoona Medical Center's facilities and IT infrastructure. Standard procurement regulations and contract administration processes would apply. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are recorded.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Maintenance
Uninterrupted Power Supply Systems
Federal IT Infrastructure Support
Post-Warranty Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Risk of technological obsolescence over 5-year term
Dependence on single vendor for critical infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $49,999.8 to DASH TECHNOLOGIES INC. POST-WARRANTY FOR UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY MAINTENANCE FOR ONE (1) TOSHIBA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION G8000. SERIAL NUMBER. 101000814 FOR THE ALTOONA VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DASH TECHNOLOGIES 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 $49,999.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-07. End: 2027-04-06.

What is the specific model and capacity of the Toshiba G8000 UPS being maintained, and what are the key performance metrics expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact model or capacity of the Toshiba G8000 UPS. The G8000 series typically refers to industrial uninterruptible power systems. Key performance metrics would likely include uptime guarantees, response times for service calls, battery health monitoring, and preventative maintenance schedules. Without these specifics, a detailed assessment of the service scope and its alignment with the medical center's needs is limited. However, the contract's focus on 'uninterrupted power supply maintenance' implies a critical need for continuous operation of essential medical equipment and IT systems at the Altoona VA Medical Center.

How does the annual maintenance cost of approximately $10,000 compare to industry benchmarks for similar UPS systems of comparable capacity and age?

The annual maintenance cost of approximately $10,000 for this Toshiba G8000 UPS unit is difficult to benchmark precisely without knowing the UPS's capacity (kVA), age beyond the warranty period, and the specific service level agreement (e.g., 24/7 on-site support vs. business hours). However, for mid-to-large capacity UPS systems (e.g., 100 kVA and above), annual maintenance contracts can range from 5% to 15% of the original equipment cost. If this G8000 unit is a substantial capacity system, $10,000 annually might be considered within a reasonable range, especially if it includes comprehensive preventative maintenance and emergency response. For smaller units, it could be on the higher end. The firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but a detailed market analysis would be needed for a definitive value-for-money assessment.

What was the historical spending pattern for UPS maintenance at the Altoona VA Medical Center prior to this award?

Historical spending data for UPS maintenance at the Altoona VA Medical Center prior to this specific award is not detailed in the provided information. This contract, valued at $49,999.80 over five years, covers post-warranty service for one unit. To understand historical patterns, one would need to examine previous contracts for UPS maintenance, potentially including the initial warranty period and any prior service agreements. Analyzing spending trends, frequency of repairs, and costs associated with different vendors or service levels over several years would provide context on whether this current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of expenditure for this type of service.

What is DASH TECHNOLOGIES INC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and for providing maintenance services for Toshiba UPS systems?

The provided data indicates that DASH TECHNOLOGIES INC is the contractor for this specific purchase order. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for other contracts awarded to DASH TECHNOLOGIES INC, particularly by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Key areas to investigate would include the types of services previously rendered, contract values, performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. Specifically, searching for prior experience with Toshiba UPS maintenance would be crucial to gauge their expertise and reliability in this specialized area.

What are the potential risks associated with a 5-year maintenance contract for a single UPS unit, particularly concerning technological obsolescence or changing facility needs?

A significant risk with a 5-year maintenance contract for a single UPS unit is technological obsolescence. UPS technology, especially related to battery management and power conditioning, evolves. While the core function remains, newer models might offer improved efficiency, monitoring capabilities, or integration features. If the existing unit becomes outdated or less reliable over the contract term, the VA might be paying for maintenance on aging equipment that could be more cost-effectively replaced. Additionally, the facility's power requirements could change due to expansions or shifts in equipment usage, potentially rendering the current UPS capacity insufficient. The fixed-price nature, while good for budget certainty, could become a disadvantage if major upgrades or replacements are needed mid-contract, requiring new procurement actions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution › Electric Power Distribution

Product/Service Code: ELECTRIC WIRE, POWER DISTRIB EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24422Q0439

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4920 E 2550 N #165, EDEN, UT, 84310

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,000

Exercised Options: $50,000

Current Obligation: $50,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline