VA awards $4,200 for Creative Writing for Women to Kerry Jane Garvin, an independent artist

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,200 ($4.2K)

Contractor: Kerry Jane Garvin

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-05-28

End Date: 2026-08-20

Contract Duration: 84 days

Daily Burn Rate: $50/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CREATIVE WRITING FOR WOMEN

Place of Performance

Location: ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28805

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4,200 to KERRY JANE GARVIN for work described as: CREATIVE WRITING FOR WOMEN Key points: 1. The contract value is low ($4,200), suggesting a niche service. 2. Competition was not pursued, raising questions about price discovery. 3. The service falls under independent artists, a less common government procurement area. 4. The short duration (84 days) indicates a focused, short-term need.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value is very low, making direct pricing comparisons difficult. Without competition, it's hard to assess if the price reflects fair market value for specialized creative writing services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a potential limitation in competition. This method may not have explored all available qualified vendors, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The direct taxpayer impact is minimal due to the low contract value, but the lack of competition sets a precedent for future similar procurements.

Public Impact

Supports independent artists and potentially promotes diverse voices in creative writing. The VA is utilizing specialized services that may not be core to its primary mission. Transparency in procurement is reduced due to the non-competed nature of the award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Non-standard service category

Positive Signals

Supports small business/independent contractor
Clear deliverable

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers' category, which is a niche sector within government spending. Benchmarks for this specific service are not readily available due to its specialized nature.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Kerry Jane Garvin, is an independent artist. While not explicitly a small business set-aside, this type of award often supports individual contractors or very small entities.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for this award. Oversight would focus on ensuring the services meet the stated needs and that the procurement process, even if limited, adheres to regulations.

Related Government Programs

Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for non-competitive pricing
Unclear strategic alignment
Limited transparency in award process

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4,200 to KERRY JANE GARVIN. CREATIVE WRITING FOR WOMEN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KERRY JANE GARVIN.

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 $4,200.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-28. End: 2026-08-20.

What is the specific value proposition of 'Creative Writing for Women' for the VA?

The specific value proposition is not detailed in the provided data. It could range from therapeutic writing programs for female veterans, content creation for VA outreach targeting women, or internal professional development. Further clarification would be needed to understand the direct benefit to the VA's mission or veteran population.

What are the risks associated with awarding a contract without competition in this category?

The primary risk is paying a non-competitive price, potentially exceeding fair market value. Another risk is overlooking more qualified or cost-effective vendors. Furthermore, it can set a precedent for future non-competed awards, reducing overall government efficiency and potentially limiting access for other qualified artists.

How effective is this type of specialized service in meeting VA objectives?

The effectiveness is contingent on the specific objectives defined for this contract. If the goal is to provide unique artistic or therapeutic services, its effectiveness would be measured by participant engagement and outcomes. However, without clear objectives tied to the VA's core mission, its overall effectiveness in achieving broader agency goals may be limited.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation › Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers › Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 630 BEAR COVE CIR, BRYSON CITY, NC, 28713

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,200

Exercised Options: $4,200

Current Obligation: $4,200

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline