VA awards $176K for emergency pump repair to Dunbar Mechanical, bypassing competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $176,000 ($176.0K)

Contractor: Dunbar Mechanical Contractors, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-05-21

Contract Duration: 42 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: EMERGENCY REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COLD AND HOT WATER PUMPS

Place of Performance

Location: MEMPHIS, SHELBY County, TENNESSEE, 38104

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $176,000 to DUNBAR MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, LLC for work described as: EMERGENCY REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COLD AND HOT WATER PUMPS Key points: 1. Spending of $176,000 on emergency pump repair. 2. Contract awarded to Dunbar Mechanical Contractors, LLC. 3. No competition was utilized for this award. 4. The contract falls under the Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award amount of $176,000 for emergency pump repair appears high without a competitive bidding process. Benchmarking against similar emergency repair contracts for plumbing systems is difficult due to the lack of competition and specific details on the scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a more open bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being spent without the benefit of competitive pricing, potentially leading to overpayment for the emergency repair services.

Public Impact

Veterans may experience disruptions in essential services if repairs are not completed efficiently. The use of non-competitive awards can set a precedent for future procurements. Transparency in emergency procurement processes is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Emergency procurement justification unclear
Potential for overpayment

Positive Signals

Addresses an immediate need for essential facility maintenance

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on infrastructure needs and emergency repairs, but competitive bidding is standard practice to ensure value.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were considered or involved in this procurement, as it was awarded directly to Dunbar Mechanical Contractors, LLC without competition.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. The lack of competition raises questions about whether adequate oversight was in place to ensure a fair and reasonable price was obtained.

Related Government Programs

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in award justification
No small business participation evident

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $176,000 to DUNBAR MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, LLC. EMERGENCY REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COLD AND HOT WATER PUMPS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DUNBAR MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, 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 $176,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-05-21.

What specific circumstances necessitated an emergency repair and precluded competitive bidding?

The data provided does not specify the exact nature of the emergency or the reasons why competitive bidding was not feasible. Typically, emergency procurements are justified by unforeseen circumstances that pose an immediate threat to health, safety, or critical operations, requiring rapid action beyond the normal procurement timeline.

How does the $176,000 price compare to typical costs for similar emergency pump repairs?

Without competitive bids or detailed scope of work, it is difficult to benchmark the $176,000 price. Emergency repairs often incur higher costs due to urgency, but a lack of competition prevents a definitive assessment of whether this price is reasonable compared to what could have been achieved through a competitive process.

What is the potential long-term impact of using sole-source contracts for facility maintenance?

Repeated use of sole-source contracts for facility maintenance can lead to reduced competition, potentially higher costs over time, and a lack of innovation. It may also discourage potential vendors from competing on future opportunities if they perceive the process as consistently closed.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning 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: 4165 BRUNSWICK RD, BARTLETT, TN, 38133

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $176,000

Exercised Options: $176,000

Current Obligation: $176,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline