VA awards $117K for emergency lighting repair, highlighting potential for improved facility maintenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $117,279 ($117.3K)

Contractor: Buffalo Supply Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-03-16

End Date: 2026-06-16

Contract Duration: 92 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EMERGENCY LIGHTING REPAIR

Place of Performance

Location: BATTLE CREEK, CALHOUN County, MICHIGAN, 49037

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $117,278.52 to BUFFALO SUPPLY INC. for work described as: EMERGENCY LIGHTING REPAIR Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential facility maintenance, ensuring operational readiness. 2. Limited competition suggests potential for higher pricing than a fully competed contract. 3. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor for cost overruns. 4. Short performance period indicates a focused scope of work. 5. Contractor's performance history and pricing should be closely monitored. 6. Geographic focus on Michigan for this specific repair need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $117,278.52 for emergency lighting repair appears reasonable for a short-term, specialized service. However, without direct comparisons to similar, competitively awarded contracts for emergency lighting systems in the region or for the VA, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, but the lack of competition could mean the price is not as optimized as it might be under a more open bidding process. Benchmarking against industry standards for similar repair services would be beneficial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely awarded through a limited competition or a sole-source justification. The data provided states 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which typically implies a limited number of bidders or a specific justification for not pursuing full and open competition. The absence of a broader competitive process may limit the government's ability to secure the most advantageous pricing and terms.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition for this contract means taxpayers may not have benefited from the potentially lower prices that could arise from a wider bidding pool. This could translate to a less efficient use of federal funds.

Public Impact

Ensures the continued operational safety and functionality of VA facilities. Supports the maintenance of critical infrastructure within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Benefits veterans and staff by ensuring a safe and reliable environment. Work performed in Michigan, impacting local service providers and potentially the local economy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of full and open competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Potential for contractor to leverage limited competition for less favorable terms.
Short performance period could indicate urgent need or limited scope, requiring careful monitoring of follow-on needs.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Specific focus on emergency lighting addresses a critical infrastructure need.
Contract awarded to a single entity, streamlining the acquisition process for this specific need.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance sector (NAICS 811210). This sector is crucial for ensuring the operational readiness of various government assets, including facilities. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain aging infrastructure and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing repair and maintenance contracts for similar facility types across different federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Buffalo Supply Inc., is likely not a small business, or if it is, the contract was not specifically structured to leverage small business capabilities through a set-aside. The absence of small business involvement in this specific award means no direct benefit to the small business ecosystem from this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon price. Any concerns regarding performance or adherence to terms would be managed through contract administration and potentially involve the VA's Office of Inspector General if significant issues arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Emergency Preparedness Equipment Maintenance
Department of Veterans Affairs Facility Management
Electronic Equipment Repair Services

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Performance Data
Potential for Price Inflation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $117,278.52 to BUFFALO SUPPLY INC.. EMERGENCY LIGHTING REPAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BUFFALO SUPPLY 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 $117,278.52.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-16. End: 2026-06-16.

What is the track record of Buffalo Supply Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Buffalo Supply Inc.'s track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Understanding their experience with similar types of repair and maintenance services, particularly for emergency lighting systems, and their performance history with the VA specifically would provide crucial context for evaluating the current award. Without this specific data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and past success in fulfilling government obligations.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar emergency lighting repair services awarded competitively by the VA or other agencies?

Benchmarking this contract's pricing against similar, competitively awarded contracts is essential for assessing value for money. The current contract's value of $117,278.52 for a 92-day period needs to be compared with the average cost per hour, per repair, or per system for emergency lighting maintenance and repair services. Factors such as geographic location, complexity of the lighting system, and specific repair needs influence pricing. A lack of competitive bidding for this contract makes direct price comparison difficult, but reviewing publicly available data on similar VA or GSA contracts could reveal if this award is within a reasonable market range or potentially inflated due to limited competition.

What are the specific risks associated with emergency lighting system failures in VA facilities, and how does this contract mitigate them?

Emergency lighting systems are critical for ensuring the safety of occupants during power outages or emergencies, particularly in healthcare settings like VA facilities. Failures can lead to disorientation, falls, and hinder evacuation procedures, posing significant risks to patients, staff, and visitors. This contract aims to mitigate these risks by ensuring the proper functioning and timely repair of these essential systems. The focus on 'emergency lighting repair' suggests a proactive or reactive approach to maintaining operational readiness, thereby reducing the likelihood of system failures and their associated safety hazards. The short duration and specific scope indicate it addresses an immediate need.

What is the typical annual spending by the VA on emergency lighting repair and maintenance across all its facilities?

Determining the typical annual spending by the VA on emergency lighting repair and maintenance requires a comprehensive analysis of historical contract data across all VA facilities nationwide. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for contracts categorized under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 811210) and keywords related to 'emergency lighting,' 'repair,' and 'maintenance.' Aggregating this data over several fiscal years would reveal spending trends, average contract values, and the distribution of spending across different regions and types of facilities. Without this aggregated data, it's challenging to contextualize the $117,278.52 award within the VA's broader maintenance budget.

What are the potential implications of a 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' award for the long-term maintenance strategy of the affected VA facility?

An award that is 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' often signifies a deviation from standard competitive procurement processes, potentially due to urgency, specific technical requirements, or limited vendor availability. For the long-term maintenance strategy of the affected VA facility, this could imply several things. Firstly, it might indicate that the facility's needs are not being consistently met through routine, competitive contracting, leading to ad-hoc awards. Secondly, it could suggest a lack of established relationships with multiple qualified vendors capable of performing such specialized work competitively. This approach might lead to higher costs over time and potentially less robust maintenance planning compared to a strategy built on regular, open competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C25026Q0371

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1650 COAL CREEK DR, LAFAYETTE, CO, 80026

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: $117,279

Exercised Options: $117,279

Current Obligation: $117,279

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline