VA awards $14.8M facilities support contract to D.B. SAILS, LLC for EHRM MOVERS program

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,820 ($14.8K)

Contractor: D.B. Sails, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-03-18

End Date: 2025-03-17

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $41/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EHRM MOVERS

Place of Performance

Location: PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33410

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $14,820 to D.B. SAILS, LLC for work described as: EHRM MOVERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Duration of 364 days suggests a need for ongoing support. 3. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. Focus on facilities support for the EHRM MOVERS program indicates critical infrastructure needs. 5. Awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about market availability and contractor capability. 6. Geographic focus on Florida (FL) for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $14.8 million for facilities support services over one year appears substantial. Without comparable contract data for similar EHRM MOVERS support or facilities management in the specified region, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The sole-source nature of the award also prevents direct price comparison with other potential vendors, making it challenging to assess if the pricing is competitive or represents a fair market value. Further analysis would require understanding the specific scope of services included in 'EHRM MOVERS' facilities support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor is capable of meeting the requirement, or in specific circumstances where full and open competition is not feasible or advantageous. The lack of competition means that the Department of Veterans Affairs did not benefit from the potential for lower prices or innovative solutions that a competitive bidding process could have yielded.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. Without multiple offers, the government has less leverage to negotiate the best possible price for these essential facilities support services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and the personnel operating within them, ensuring operational continuity. Services delivered include essential facilities support, crucial for the functioning of the EHRM MOVERS program. The geographic impact is concentrated in Florida (FL), where the services will be performed. Workforce implications may include direct employment by D.B. SAILS, LLC for service delivery and indirect support for VA staff relying on these facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.
Potential for vendor lock-in given the single-award nature.
Scope of 'EHRM MOVERS' facilities support is not detailed, making it hard to assess full value.
Contract duration of nearly a full year without competition raises questions about long-term planning.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Award to a single vendor may indicate specialized capabilities required for the EHRM MOVERS program.
Contract ensures continuity of essential facilities support services.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services, categorized under NAICS code 561210, encompass a broad range of activities including building operation and maintenance. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services across various agencies and programs. The market for facilities management is diverse, with many small and large businesses offering specialized services. This contract, valued at $14.8 million, represents a notable investment within this sector, specifically tied to the critical EHRM MOVERS initiative within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The award to D.B. SAILS, LLC, without explicit small business considerations, means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are likely limited unless they are direct subcontractors to the prime. Further investigation into D.B. SAILS, LLC's subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess the broader impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a sole-source award, the justification and procurement process would be subject to internal VA review and potentially oversight from bodies like the Government Accountability Office (GAO) if protests arise. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature, but contract performance monitoring and payment oversight mechanisms would be in place to ensure service delivery and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities Management Contracts
EHR Modernization Program Support
Government Facilities Operations and Maintenance
Sole-Source Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Limited performance data available
Unclear scope of services for 'EHRM MOVERS' facilities support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $14,820 to D.B. SAILS, LLC. EHRM MOVERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is D.B. SAILS, 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 $14,820.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-18. End: 2025-03-17.

What specific facilities support services are included under the 'EHRM MOVERS' program?

The provided data does not detail the specific facilities support services encompassed by the 'EHRM MOVERS' program. Typically, facilities support can include a wide range of services such as maintenance, repair, cleaning, security, groundskeeping, and utility management. For the EHRM MOVERS program, these services might be specialized to ensure the operational integrity and environmental controls necessary for sensitive electronic health record systems and associated hardware. Understanding the precise scope is crucial for evaluating the contract's value and performance expectations. Without this detail, it's difficult to ascertain if the $14.8 million award is commensurate with the services rendered or if it aligns with industry standards for similar specialized support.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data indicates this contract was awarded on a sole-source basis ('CT': 'NOT COMPETED'). 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 services, or when urgency, national security, or specific program requirements necessitate it. The Department of Veterans Affairs would have had to document a justification for this sole-source award, likely related to unique capabilities of D.B. SAILS, LLC, or specific requirements of the EHRM MOVERS program that cannot be met by other vendors. Without access to this justification document, the rationale remains unclear, impacting the assessment of competition dynamics and potential value for taxpayers.

How does the $14.8 million contract value compare to similar facilities support contracts within the VA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $14.8 million contract value requires comparison with similar facilities support contracts, ideally those supporting critical IT infrastructure or specialized programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies. However, the 'EHRM MOVERS' designation suggests a potentially unique or specialized scope that may not have direct, easily comparable contracts. If this contract covers comprehensive facilities management for a large-scale IT deployment like EHRM, the value might be reasonable. Conversely, if it's for a more limited scope, it could be high. A detailed analysis would involve examining contract databases for facilities support services with similar durations, service levels, and geographic concentrations, while accounting for the specialized nature of the EHRM MOVERS program.

What is the track record of D.B. SAILS, LLC in performing federal facilities support contracts?

Information on D.B. SAILS, LLC's track record in performing federal facilities support contracts is not provided in the initial data. To assess their capability and past performance, one would need to review their contract history, including previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any instances of contract disputes or terminations. A strong performance history would lend confidence to the current award, while a history of issues might raise concerns about the selection of this vendor, especially given the sole-source nature of this award. Further research into federal procurement databases and performance records is necessary.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for essential facilities support?

Sole-source awards for essential services like facilities support carry several risks. Primarily, the lack of competition can lead to inflated pricing, as the contractor faces less pressure to offer competitive rates. It also reduces the government's leverage in negotiations. Furthermore, it limits the government's access to potentially more innovative solutions or better-performing vendors that might have emerged from a competitive process. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on a single provider, making future transitions difficult and potentially costly. Finally, without competitive benchmarking, it's harder to ensure the government is receiving optimal value for its investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

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

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: 401 N ROSEMARY AVE NO 77, WEST PALM BEACH, FL, 33401

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,380

Exercised Options: $14,820

Current Obligation: $14,820

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline