VA awards $2.55M contract for construction consulting services to Trauner Consulting Services, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $255,315 ($255.3K)

Contractor: Trauner Consulting Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2027-04-08

Contract Duration: 360 days

Daily Burn Rate: $709/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CLAIMS CONSULTANT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SALEM, SALEM County, VIRGINIA, 24153

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $255,314.78 to TRAUNER CONSULTING SERVICES, INC. for work described as: CLAIMS CONSULTANT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.55M for construction consulting services. 2. Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 4. Duration of 360 days suggests a focused project scope. 5. Full and Open Competition was utilized for this award. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 236220. 7. The contract is a Delivery Order, likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 8. The contract is for services related to Commercial and Institutional Building Construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.55M for construction consulting services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Without specific benchmarks for similar consulting engagements within the VA or comparable agencies, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is a positive indicator for the government. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and hourly rates to industry standards for similar consulting expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that it is a Delivery Order suggests it may be part of a larger IDIQ contract vehicle, which itself would have undergone a competitive process. The specific number of bidders for this particular delivery order is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a robust competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and Open Competition maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will receive expert consulting services to support its construction projects. Services delivered will likely include project management, cost estimation, scheduling, and technical advice related to commercial and institutional building construction. The geographic impact is centered within the VA's operational areas, potentially supporting facilities across the nation. Workforce implications may involve specialized consultants contributing to the successful execution of VA construction initiatives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep if the project requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical consulting services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type mitigates cost uncertainty for the government.
Full and Open Competition suggests a competitive award process.
The contractor, Trauner Consulting Services, Inc., is likely selected based on demonstrated expertise and qualifications.
The contract duration of 360 days allows for focused project execution.

Sector Analysis

The construction consulting services sector is a critical component of the broader construction industry, providing specialized expertise to manage complex projects. This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction NAICS code (236220). Spending in this area is driven by government infrastructure needs and the maintenance/upgrading of federal facilities. Benchmarking would involve comparing this contract's value and scope to similar consulting engagements for large-scale construction projects within federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary focus of this contract is on specialized consulting services, and the award was made to a specific firm. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor engages small businesses as subcontractors, which is not specified here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which holds the contractor responsible for delivering services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Construction Projects
Government Consulting Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities Management
Commercial Building Construction
Institutional Building Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting project timelines.
Dependence on a single firm for specialized consulting expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $255,314.78 to TRAUNER CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.. CLAIMS CONSULTANT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRAUNER CONSULTING SERVICES, 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 $255,314.78.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2027-04-08.

What is the track record of Trauner Consulting Services, Inc. with the federal government, particularly the VA?

To assess the track record of Trauner Consulting Services, Inc., a review of federal procurement databases such as the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) would be necessary. This would reveal past contract awards, performance history, and any reported issues or disputes. Specifically for the VA, examining their past performance evaluations and any sole-source awards or sole-source justifications would provide further insight. A strong history of successful contract completion, positive past performance reviews, and minimal disputes would indicate a reliable contractor. Conversely, a history of performance issues, contract terminations, or significant disputes would raise concerns about their ability to successfully execute this current contract.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar construction consulting services procured by the VA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $2.55M contract requires identifying comparable contracts for construction consulting services with similar scopes of work, durations, and complexity. This involves searching procurement databases for contracts awarded to other firms for services such as project management, cost estimating, or construction oversight on projects of comparable scale. Factors like the specific deliverables, the level of expertise required, and the geographic location of the project can influence pricing. If this contract's value is significantly higher or lower than comparable contracts, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing/underbidding. Without access to detailed comparative data, a definitive assessment is difficult, but the firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined cost expectation.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where project requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is contractor performance failure, where Trauner Consulting Services, Inc. may not deliver the expected quality or timeliness of services. Schedule delays, common in construction projects, could also impact the consulting engagement. Mitigation strategies likely include a clearly defined Statement of Work (SOW), robust project management by the VA's COR, regular progress reviews, and the firm fixed-price contract structure, which places cost risk on the contractor. The competitive award process also helps mitigate the risk of selecting an unqualified vendor.

What is the expected effectiveness of these consulting services in supporting the VA's construction goals?

The effectiveness of these consulting services hinges on the expertise of Trauner Consulting Services, Inc. and the clarity of the VA's objectives. If the consultants provide accurate cost estimates, sound scheduling advice, and effective project oversight, they can significantly enhance the efficiency and success rate of the VA's construction projects. This can lead to better-managed projects, reduced budget overruns, and timely completion of facilities crucial for veteran care. The firm fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to be efficient. However, effectiveness is ultimately measured by the successful delivery of the construction projects these services support, which requires ongoing monitoring and evaluation by the VA.

What are the historical spending patterns for construction consulting services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending patterns for construction consulting services by the VA can be analyzed by examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would reveal the total amount spent annually on such services, the primary contractors utilized, and the types of consulting engagements (e.g., project management, design review, cost analysis). Trends might show an increase or decrease in spending based on the VA's construction backlog, infrastructure modernization initiatives, or budget allocations. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current $2.55M award, indicating whether it represents a typical expenditure or a significant deviation. It also highlights the VA's reliance on external expertise for its construction endeavors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1617 JOHN F. KENNEDY BOULEVARD, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19103

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $255,315

Exercised Options: $255,315

Current Obligation: $255,315

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0282Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline