VA awards $1.2M contract for lawn maintenance services in Pennsylvania

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,000 ($12.0K)

Contractor: Sterileco LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2027-04-05

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LAWN MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: ERIE, ERIE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16504

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $12,000 to STERILECO LLC for work described as: LAWN MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Sterileco LLC for landscaping services. 2. Service area covers Pennsylvania. 3. Contract duration is one year. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type. 5. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 6. No small business set-aside noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.2 million for a 364-day period suggests a significant investment in groundskeeping. Without specific details on the scope of services (e.g., acreage, frequency of maintenance, specific tasks), it is difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. However, the award under SAP indicates a focus on smaller value procurements, which may imply a more streamlined pricing structure compared to large-scale, complex service contracts. Further analysis would require detailed service requirements and comparison with regional landscaping service costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and less formal solicitation processes than full and open competition. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP is designed for procurements under the federal micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds. This approach aims for efficiency but may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to broader solicitations that attract a wider range of vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP can offer a balance between cost efficiency and ensuring a reasonable price. However, the limited nature of the competition means there's a reduced opportunity to drive down costs through extensive bidding, potentially leading to slightly higher prices than might be achieved in a full and open competition.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs by ensuring well-maintained grounds at its facilities. Services delivered include landscaping and lawn maintenance. Geographic impact is focused on Pennsylvania. Workforce implications may include local employment opportunities for landscaping crews.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not yield the lowest possible price.
Lack of detailed service scope makes value assessment challenging.
No indication of small business subcontracting goals.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a single vendor, potentially simplifying management.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Service area is clearly defined within Pennsylvania.

Sector Analysis

The landscaping services sector is a significant part of the broader facilities management industry. Federal agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, are consistent buyers of these services to maintain their extensive real estate holdings. Spending in this sector is influenced by factors like geographic location, size of the property, and the specific types of maintenance required. Benchmarking this contract against other federal landscaping contracts would involve comparing contract values, service scopes, and geographic regions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). Furthermore, there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements or goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Sterileco LLC, will likely perform the services directly or subcontract without specific federal mandates to engage small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore neutral to potentially negative if small businesses were capable of performing the work but were not solicited.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. As a Purchase Order awarded under SAP, it is expected to have standard oversight mechanisms to ensure service delivery aligns with the contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for landscaping and grounds maintenance
Other agency-specific grounds maintenance contracts
Federal Facilities Maintenance spending

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality issues if performance standards are not met.
Risk of contractor default or financial instability.
Logistical challenges due to geographic scope.
Limited competition may impact price optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $12,000 to STERILECO LLC. LAWN MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STERILECO 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 $12,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-04-05.

What is the typical cost range for similar lawn maintenance contracts awarded by the VA in Pennsylvania?

Determining the typical cost range for similar VA lawn maintenance contracts in Pennsylvania requires access to detailed historical procurement data, including contract values, service scopes (e.g., acreage, frequency, specific tasks like mowing, trimming, fertilization, pest control), and contract durations. Without this granular data, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, contracts under SAP are generally for smaller dollar values. A $1.2 million contract for a single year of service suggests a substantial scope, potentially covering multiple facilities or a very large single site. Comparing this to other VA contracts in the region for similar services, adjusted for scope and duration, would be necessary. For instance, if other contracts for comparable services are in the $500,000-$800,000 range, this $1.2 million award might warrant further scrutiny regarding its value for money, assuming similar service levels.

How does Sterileco LLC's track record compare to other potential bidders for this type of service?

Assessing Sterileco LLC's track record requires reviewing its past performance on federal contracts, particularly those with the Department of Veterans Affairs or other agencies requiring similar landscaping and grounds maintenance services. Key factors to examine include on-time delivery, quality of work, adherence to contract terms, and any past performance issues or disputes. If Sterileco LLC has a history of successful contract completion with positive past performance reviews, it suggests reliability. Conversely, a history of performance problems could indicate a higher risk for this contract. Without specific past performance data for Sterileco LLC and a comparison to other potential bidders (which is often not publicly available in detail), it's challenging to definitively assess their standing relative to competitors. However, the award itself implies they met the government's minimum requirements.

What are the specific services included in this $1.2 million contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'LAWN MAINTENANCE' and falls under the 'Landscaping Services' (NAICS code 561730) category. However, the specific details of the services included within this $1.2 million contract are not itemized. Typically, such contracts encompass a range of activities including mowing, trimming, edging, fertilization, weed control, pest management, seasonal cleanups (leaf removal, debris clearing), and potentially snow removal or irrigation system maintenance, depending on the scope. The firm fixed price nature suggests a defined set of services for a set price. To understand the full scope, one would need to consult the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), which details the exact requirements, deliverables, and performance standards expected from Sterileco LLC.

What is the historical spending pattern for lawn maintenance services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending patterns for lawn maintenance services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be analyzed by examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve aggregating spending on NAICS code 561730 (Landscaping Services) and similar codes across all VA facilities nationwide and by individual regional offices or medical centers. Trends might reveal increases or decreases in overall spending, shifts in contract types (e.g., more fixed-price vs. cost-reimbursement), changes in average contract values, and the prevalence of competed versus sole-source awards. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current $1.2 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical expenditure, an increase, or a decrease in the VA's investment in grounds maintenance.

Are there any specific performance risks associated with this contract, given its value and duration?

Performance risks for this $1.2 million, one-year lawn maintenance contract are moderate. Key risks include potential service quality issues if the contractor, Sterileco LLC, fails to meet performance standards outlined in the contract's Statement of Work. This could manifest as poorly maintained grounds, missed service dates, or inadequate response to specific landscaping needs. Another risk is contractor default or financial instability, although the award suggests they met initial vetting criteria. Given the firm fixed-price nature, cost overruns are primarily the contractor's risk, but could lead to reduced quality if the contractor attempts to cut corners. The geographic scope (Pennsylvania) could also present logistical challenges depending on the distribution of VA facilities covered. Effective oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24426Q0093

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1402 COMMERCE AVE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 46201

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, 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: $12,000

Exercised Options: $12,000

Current Obligation: $12,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline