VA awards $300K sewer repair contract to TP Howards Plumbing Co. Inc. for site preparation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,989 ($30.0K)

Contractor: TP Howards Plumbing CO Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-07-16

End Date: 2025-09-16

Contract Duration: 62 days

Daily Burn Rate: $484/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: SEWER REPAIR LINE

Place of Performance

Location: ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28805

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $29,989 to TP HOWARDS PLUMBING CO INC for work described as: SEWER REPAIR LINE Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Short performance period suggests a focused scope of work. 3. Firm fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 4. No small business set-aside or subcontracting noted. 5. Geographic focus on North Carolina for this specific repair.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $300,000 for sewer repair appears reasonable for site preparation services, though a direct comparison is difficult without more detailed scope information. The firm fixed-price structure is standard for this type of work. Given the sole-source nature, it's challenging to benchmark against competitive bids, but the price seems within a typical range for specialized repair services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded using a sole-source justification, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor is capable of performing the work or under specific emergency circumstances. The lack of competition means potential savings from a bidding process were not realized, and the VA did not benefit from a range of price proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a higher price than if the contract had been competed. The absence of competitive pressure limits the government's ability to secure the best possible value.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs by ensuring functional sewer infrastructure at a facility. Services delivered include site preparation for essential sewer repairs. Geographic impact is localized to the specific VA facility in North Carolina. Workforce implications are direct for TP Howards Plumbing Co. Inc. employees.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential value for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the sole-source justification process.
No indication of small business participation or subcontracting opportunities.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the VA.
Short performance duration suggests efficient project management.
Contractor is identified, allowing for potential future performance tracking.

Sector Analysis

The construction and maintenance sector, particularly for essential infrastructure like sewer systems, is critical for government operations. This contract falls under site preparation services, a niche within the broader construction industry. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar repair projects can vary widely based on location, complexity, and the specific facility's needs. The market for specialized plumbing and site preparation contractors is competitive, but sole-source awards bypass this dynamic.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor is there any indication of subcontracting requirements. The award to TP Howards Plumbing Co. Inc. does not appear to directly support the small business ecosystem in this instance. Further analysis would be needed to determine if TP Howards Plumbing Co. Inc. itself is a small business, but the lack of set-aside language suggests it was not a primary consideration for this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order will likely fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' internal procurement and financial management systems. Accountability measures are tied to the firm fixed-price contract terms and the delivery of specified site preparation services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Facility Maintenance Contracts
Public Works and Utilities Construction
Site Preparation Services
Plumbing and Drainage Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Limited competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $29,989 to TP HOWARDS PLUMBING CO INC. SEWER REPAIR LINE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TP HOWARDS PLUMBING 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 $29,989.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-16. End: 2025-09-16.

What is the specific scope of 'site preparation' for this sewer repair contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Site Preparation Contractors' (NAICS code 238910) related to 'SEWER REPAIR LINE'. Site preparation typically involves activities such as clearing the work area, excavation, demolition of existing structures if necessary, grading, and ensuring access for heavy equipment. For sewer repair, this could include digging trenches, shoring up excavations to prevent collapse, and preparing the ground for pipe laying or repair. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, which is not provided here. Without this detailed scope, it's difficult to fully assess the value or appropriateness of the $299,890 award.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The data explicitly states the contract type as 'NOT COMPETED' and the award logic as 'sole-source'. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required service, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without further documentation (like a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition - JOFOC), the specific reason for the sole-source award to TP Howards Plumbing Co. Inc. remains unknown. This lack of competition means the VA did not explore options from other qualified contractors, potentially impacting the final price and overall value.

How does the $299,890 contract value compare to similar sewer repair projects?

Benchmarking the $299,890 contract value for sewer repair site preparation is challenging without more specific details on the project's scope, complexity, and location. Sewer repair costs can vary significantly based on factors like the depth of excavation, soil conditions, the length of pipe requiring repair, and the specific type of repair needed (e.g., lining, replacement). Given this is a sole-source award with a short performance period (62 days), it suggests a potentially localized or specific task. While the price seems plausible for specialized infrastructure work, a lack of competitive bids prevents a definitive value-for-money assessment against market rates or alternative proposals.

What is the track record of TP Howards Plumbing Co. Inc. with federal contracts?

The provided data does not include historical contract information for TP Howards Plumbing Co. Inc. To assess their track record, one would need to query federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS for previous awards, performance reviews, and any past performance issues. Without this information, it's impossible to determine if they have prior experience with the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies, or if they have a history of successful contract completion and adherence to federal standards.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for essential infrastructure repair?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for essential infrastructure repair, such as sewer systems, is the potential for overpayment due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without multiple proposals, the government may not secure the most cost-effective solution. Additionally, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of market research or a failure to identify capable small businesses, potentially limiting opportunities for a broader range of contractors. There's also a risk if the sole-source provider fails to perform adequately, as options for replacement or alternative solutions might be limited or require a new, potentially lengthy, sole-source justification process.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Specialty Trade Contractors › Site Preparation Contractors

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 90 NUMBER NINE RD, FAIRVIEW, NC, 28730

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,989

Exercised Options: $29,989

Current Obligation: $29,989

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline