VA awards $83K for monitor installation, raising questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $83,298 ($83.3K)

Contractor: Vector Resources Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-03-31

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INSTALLATION OF MONITORS AND MOUNTS FOR VA LONG BEACH.

Place of Performance

Location: LONG BEACH, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90822

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $83,298.44 to VECTOR RESOURCES INC for work described as: INSTALLATION OF MONITORS AND MOUNTS FOR VA LONG BEACH. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a non-competitive basis, limiting price discovery. 2. Limited competition may have led to a higher price than a competed award. 3. The contract duration is short, suggesting a focused scope of work. 4. The award is a purchase order, typically used for smaller, simpler acquisitions. 5. The contractor, Vector Resources Inc., has received this award from the VA. 6. The service falls under electrical contractors and wiring installation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $83,298.44 for monitor installation and mounting appears high for a 30-day period, especially considering it was not competed. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale IT equipment installation contracts suggests that a fully competed award might have yielded a lower price. The per-unit cost, while not explicitly detailed, would likely be higher than market rates due to the lack of competitive pressure. Further analysis would be needed to determine the exact scope and complexity to fully justify the cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a 'NOT COMPETED' basis, indicating a sole-source or limited competition procurement. Without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to assess the level of market engagement or the number of potential bidders. This approach bypasses the standard procedures designed to ensure the government receives the best possible price and value through open market competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium for this service due to the absence of a competitive bidding process, which typically drives down costs.

Public Impact

Veterans at the VA Long Beach facility will benefit from updated monitor installations. The services delivered include the physical installation and mounting of monitors. The geographic impact is localized to Long Beach, California. The contract supports the IT infrastructure and operational efficiency of the VA facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment.
The price appears high for the scope and duration without competitive benchmarking.
Limited transparency into the justification for non-competitive award.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a specific vendor for a defined task.
Clear end date for service delivery.
Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating a focus on veteran services.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within government contracting, encompasses a wide range of support functions. This contract for monitor installation and mounting falls under the broader category of IT infrastructure support. While not a large dollar amount, such services are critical for maintaining operational readiness in federal agencies. Comparable spending in this sub-sector can vary widely based on the scale and complexity of the installation, but non-competitive awards often represent a higher cost per unit than those secured through open competition.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements. Therefore, it does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through this specific award. The absence of set-aside provisions means opportunities for small businesses to compete or participate as subcontractors were not actively pursued in this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, this contract is subject to internal VA oversight and potentially the jurisdiction of the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) for audits and investigations. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature of the award, making public assessment of accountability more challenging without further justification documents.

Related Government Programs

VA IT Infrastructure Support
Federal IT Equipment Installation
Purchase Orders
Non-Competitive Procurements

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Potentially high cost for scope
Limited transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $83,298.44 to VECTOR RESOURCES INC. INSTALLATION OF MONITORS AND MOUNTS FOR VA LONG BEACH.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VECTOR RESOURCES 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 $83,298.44.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-31. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a non-competitive basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT COMPETED'. Typically, federal agencies must justify non-competitive awards under specific circumstances outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), such as when only one responsible source is available, or for urgent and compelling reasons. Without access to the contract file or justification documentation, the precise reason for this sole-source award remains unknown. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to ensure it is obtaining the best value and price, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed procurement.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar installations at other VA facilities or federal agencies?

Direct cost comparison is challenging without detailed scope of work and market data. However, the total award of $83,298.44 for a 30-day installation of monitors and mounts appears substantial. If this involves a significant number of units or complex mounting solutions, the price might be justifiable. Conversely, if it's a standard installation for a moderate number of monitors, the price could be on the higher end, particularly given the non-competitive award. Benchmarking against similar IT installation contracts, especially those that were competed, would be necessary to ascertain if this represents good value for money.

What is the track record of Vector Resources Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Vector Resources Inc. has been awarded this specific purchase order by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the installation of monitors and mounts at the VA Long Beach facility. Further details on their past performance, including the number and value of previous contracts, their performance ratings, and any history of issues or successes with the VA or other federal agencies, would require a deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. This single award provides limited insight into their overall track record.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding IT installation contracts on a sole-source basis?

The primary risks associated with sole-source IT installation contracts include inflated pricing due to a lack of competition, potential for lower quality of service if the contractor faces no market pressure, and reduced transparency in the procurement process. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost for services that could have been procured more economically. Furthermore, it can stifle innovation and limit opportunities for other capable vendors, including small businesses, to enter the market or demonstrate their capabilities. Ensuring robust justification and oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for monitor installation and related IT services at VA Long Beach?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for monitor installation and related IT services at VA Long Beach would require accessing historical contract data. This would involve searching procurement databases for previous awards related to IT equipment installation, maintenance, and support at that specific facility. Understanding past spending levels, the number of competitors in previous similar procurements, and the associated costs would provide context for the current $83,298.44 award. Without this historical data, it's difficult to determine if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of spending for these services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION 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

Parent Company: Vector Resources, Inc.

Address: 20917 HIGGINS CT, TORRANCE, CA, 90501

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $83,298

Exercised Options: $83,298

Current Obligation: $83,298

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline