VA awards $950K construction management contract to Vali Cooper International for West Palm Beach facility

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $950,263 ($950.3K)

Contractor: Vali Cooper International LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SERVICES (CPMRS) FOR WEST PALM BEACH VA MEDICAL CENTER.

Place of Performance

Location: PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33410

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $950,263.26 to VALI COOPER INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SERVICES (CPMRS) FOR WEST PALM BEACH VA MEDICAL CENTER. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. Sole-source award suggests potential limitations in competitive pricing. 3. Short contract duration of one year may limit long-term performance assessment. 4. Awarded under BPA Call, implying a pre-negotiated framework agreement. 5. Focus on construction program management highlights critical infrastructure needs. 6. Geographic focus on West Palm Beach, Florida, serving local veterans.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $950,263.26 for construction program management services appears to be within a reasonable range for a single-year project of this nature. However, without specific benchmarks for similar projects in the West Palm Beach area or detailed scope of work, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition could lead to a less optimal price than a fully competed contract.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source BPA Call. This indicates that the agency likely had a specific reason for selecting Vali Cooper International LLC, possibly due to existing relationships, specialized capabilities, or prior contract vehicles. The lack of open competition means that other qualified firms did not have an opportunity to bid, potentially impacting price discovery and the best possible value.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to competitive procurements, as the government does not benefit from the price pressures that multiple bidders create.

Public Impact

Veterans in the West Palm Beach area will benefit from improved facilities and infrastructure at the VA Medical Center. The contract delivers essential construction program management and related services, ensuring project oversight and efficiency. The geographic impact is localized to South Florida, specifically supporting the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The contract supports a specialized workforce in construction management and engineering services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award raises questions about the availability of other qualified contractors.
Short contract duration might indicate a need for future re-competition or extensions.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Award to a specific contractor suggests alignment with agency needs or existing frameworks.
Focus on critical infrastructure for a VA Medical Center.

Sector Analysis

The construction program management sector is vital for government infrastructure projects, ensuring efficient and effective execution of building and renovation initiatives. This contract falls under engineering services (NAICS 541330) and supports the healthcare facilities sub-sector. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain and upgrade aging federal buildings and healthcare infrastructure. Benchmarks for similar construction management contracts can vary widely based on project scope, location, and duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Vali Cooper International LLC, a single entity, does not directly address small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the prime contractor has a history of subcontracting with small businesses on similar projects.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. As a sole-source award, there may be increased scrutiny to ensure the necessity and justification for this procurement method. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the performance metrics will be key accountability measures. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Center Construction Projects
Federal Engineering Services Contracts
Construction Program Management Services
Sole-Source Federal Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Contract duration is short, potentially requiring future procurements.
Scope of work details are not fully provided for value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $950,263.26 to VALI COOPER INTERNATIONAL LLC. CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SERVICES (CPMRS) FOR WEST PALM BEACH VA MEDICAL CENTER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VALI COOPER INTERNATIONAL 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 $950,263.26.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is Vali Cooper International LLC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and similar construction management contracts?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Vali Cooper International LLC has received federal contracts, including some with the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, the extent of their experience specifically in construction program management for VA medical centers and the scale of their past performance would require a deeper dive into contract histories, performance evaluations, and any reported issues. Without specific details on past projects, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record for this particular type of service. Further investigation into their past performance ratings and any contract modifications or disputes would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability.

How does the $950,263.26 contract value compare to similar construction program management contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $950,263.26 contract value requires comparing it to similar construction program management services for VA medical centers or comparable federal healthcare facilities. Given the firm-fixed-price nature and a duration of one year, this value appears to be for a specific project phase or a smaller-scale facility. Larger, multi-year construction management contracts for major medical center renovations or new builds can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars. The value here suggests a focused scope, possibly for a specific building, system upgrade, or a defined management role within a larger program. Without more granular data on the scope of services and the specific facility needs, a precise comparison is difficult, but it doesn't appear to be an exceptionally large contract in the broader federal construction management landscape.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for construction program management services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for construction program management services include potential overpricing due to the lack of competitive bidding, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide exceptional value, and the possibility that the selected contractor may not possess the absolute best capabilities available in the market. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost than if the contract had been competed. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of adequate market research or planning by the agency, potentially leading to suboptimal contract terms or performance. There's also a risk that the agency's justification for the sole-source award might be challenged if not sufficiently documented.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for construction program management?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective in managing costs for construction program management when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. Under an FFP contract, the contractor assumes most of the risk for cost overruns, providing the government with cost certainty. This encourages the contractor to manage their own costs efficiently to maximize profit. However, if the scope is not clearly defined upfront, or if unforeseen issues arise during the project, the FFP structure can lead to change orders, which can increase the overall cost and administrative burden. For program management, where scope can evolve, careful definition and management of changes are crucial for FFP effectiveness.

What is the historical spending pattern for construction program management services at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for construction program management at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center would require accessing and reviewing past contract awards for similar services at this specific facility. This would involve looking at the frequency of such awards, the contractors previously engaged, the contract values, and the durations. A trend of sole-source awards or consistently high values could indicate specific needs or potential issues with competition. Conversely, a history of competitive bidding and reasonable contract values would suggest a healthy procurement environment. Without access to this specific historical data, it's impossible to describe the spending pattern.

What are the implications of awarding this contract under a BPA Call for the overall procurement strategy?

Awarding this contract under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call suggests that the Department of Veterans Affairs has an existing BPA in place with Vali Cooper International LLC, likely established through a prior competitive process. A BPA is a simplified way to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services. Using a BPA Call for this specific requirement streamlines the procurement process, as many terms and conditions are already established. However, if the underlying BPA was not broadly competed or if this specific call is sole-sourced, it still carries the implications of limited competition for this particular task order. It indicates a reliance on pre-negotiated agreements for ongoing or recurring needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL 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: 126 TERRA BELLA BLVD STE B, COVINGTON, LA, 70433

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, 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: $950,263

Exercised Options: $950,263

Current Obligation: $950,263

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24821A0052

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline