VA awards $84K task order for architectural design at Wisconsin hospital

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $83,999 ($84.0K)

Contractor: Stone Group Architects, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-20

End Date: 2027-08-09

Contract Duration: 476 days

Daily Burn Rate: $176/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO #18 - RENOVATE POLICE DISPATCH CPS UNDER THE BASE IDIQ CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN TASK ORDERS FOR THE WM. S. MIDDLETON VA HOSPITAL, MADISON, WISCONSIN

Place of Performance

Location: MADISON, DANE County, WISCONSIN, 53705

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $83,998.5 to STONE GROUP ARCHITECTS, INC. for work described as: TO #18 - RENOVATE POLICE DISPATCH CPS UNDER THE BASE IDIQ CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN TASK ORDERS FOR THE WM. S. MIDDLETON VA HOSPITAL, MADISON, WISCONSIN Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Stone Group Architects, Inc. for renovation design. 2. Task order falls under a larger IDIQ contract for architectural services. 3. Project aims to renovate the police dispatch center at the VA hospital. 4. Fixed-price contract type suggests defined scope and cost control. 5. Duration of over a year indicates a moderately complex design project. 6. Geographic focus on Wisconsin for a federal healthcare facility.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $83,998.50 appears reasonable for architectural and engineering design services for a specific facility renovation. Benchmarking against similar task orders for renovation design at VA facilities would provide a more precise value assessment. However, given the scope of renovating a police dispatch center, the price seems within a typical range for specialized design work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while competition was sought, certain sources may have been excluded. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, but this suggests a potentially narrower field of bidders than a truly open competition. Further details on the number of bids received would clarify the level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to a fully open bid process, potentially impacting taxpayer value. However, if the exclusions were based on specific qualifications necessary for the project, it could lead to a more suitable contractor and a higher quality outcome.

Public Impact

Veterans at the Wm. S. Middleton VA Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, will benefit from improved police dispatch facilities. The project delivers architectural and engineering design services. The geographic impact is localized to Madison, Wisconsin. The contract supports the specialized workforce in architectural and engineering design.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition impacting price discovery.
Lack of clarity on the specific reasons for excluding certain sources.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a larger IDIQ contract, suggesting established performance metrics.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Project addresses a critical operational need (police dispatch) within a healthcare facility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector (NAICS code 541310), a segment of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. The market for architectural and engineering design services supporting federal facilities, particularly healthcare, is substantial. This task order represents a small component of overall federal spending on facility modernization and upgrades, often managed through IDIQ vehicles to streamline procurement for recurring needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (SS: false, SB: false). As a task order under a larger IDIQ, subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, depending on the prime contractor's strategy and the IDIQ's overall small business utilization goals. However, without more information on the prime contractor's size or subcontracting plan, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would likely fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. The Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any irregularities were suspected. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed project-specific oversight mechanisms are not explicitly stated in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Architectural and Engineering Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Facility Renovations
Healthcare Facility Design
IDIQ Contract Task Orders

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Potential for scope creep in renovation projects.
Need for clear performance metrics for IDIQ task orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $83,998.5 to STONE GROUP ARCHITECTS, INC.. TO #18 - RENOVATE POLICE DISPATCH CPS UNDER THE BASE IDIQ CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN TASK ORDERS FOR THE WM. S. MIDDLETON VA HOSPITAL, MADISON, WISCONSIN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STONE GROUP ARCHITECTS, 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 $83,998.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2027-08-09.

What is the track record of Stone Group Architects, Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Information regarding Stone Group Architects, Inc.'s specific track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance history, one would need to review past VA contracts awarded to this company, including contract values, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract modifications. A strong history of successful project completion and positive performance reviews with the VA would indicate a lower risk for this current task order. Conversely, a history of issues could raise concerns about the contractor's reliability and ability to deliver on time and within budget for this specific renovation project.

How does the value of this task order compare to similar architectural design contracts for VA facility renovations?

The task order value of $83,998.50 for renovating a police dispatch center is relatively modest for architectural and engineering design services. Benchmarking requires comparing it to similar-sized projects within VA facilities, focusing on the scope of work (e.g., renovation vs. new construction) and the specific services provided (e.g., design only vs. design-build). Smaller renovation projects for specialized areas like dispatch centers typically fall within this price range. Larger, more complex renovations or new construction projects would command significantly higher design fees. Without specific comparable data points, it's difficult to definitively state if it's high or low, but it appears reasonable for a defined renovation task.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific task order?

The primary risks associated with this task order include potential scope creep if the renovation requirements are not precisely defined, leading to cost overruns despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Delays in design approval or unforeseen site conditions at the Wm. S. Middleton VA Hospital could impact the project timeline. Given the 'limited' competition noted, there's a risk that the chosen contractor may not have been the most cost-effective option available. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the renovated dispatch center in meeting operational needs relies heavily on the quality of the architectural design and its adherence to current safety and technological standards.

How effective is the IDIQ contract vehicle in managing task orders like this one?

Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicles are generally effective for managing recurring needs for services like architectural and engineering design, especially when the scope of future work is not fully defined at the outset. They streamline the procurement process by pre-qualifying contractors, reducing the time and administrative burden for issuing individual task orders. For task orders like this renovation, the IDIQ allows the VA to quickly obtain necessary design services without conducting a full, open-competition procurement each time. The effectiveness hinges on the initial IDIQ's structure, the quality of contractors selected, and the agency's management of task order issuance and oversight.

What is the historical spending pattern for architectural services at the Wm. S. Middleton VA Hospital?

Historical spending patterns for architectural services at the Wm. S. Middleton VA Hospital are not provided in the current data. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for architectural and engineering design services specifically to this facility over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal the frequency of such contracts, the average value of design task orders, the types of projects undertaken (e.g., renovations, new construction, specific departments), and the primary contractors utilized. Understanding historical spending can help identify trends, budget predictability, and potential areas for cost savings or efficiency improvements in future procurements.

What are the implications of the contract type (Firm Fixed Price) for this project?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type for this task order has significant implications for both the government and the contractor. For the government (VA), FFP provides the highest level of cost certainty, as the price is set and generally not subject to adjustment unless the scope of work changes. This protects the VA from cost overruns due to contractor inefficiencies. For the contractor (Stone Group Architects, Inc.), FFP places the burden of managing costs and risks squarely on them. They must accurately estimate all expenses associated with the design work. If their costs exceed the fixed price, their profit margin will be reduced, or they may incur a loss. Conversely, if they manage costs effectively, they can achieve a higher profit.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 E 7TH ST, SIOUX FALLS, SD, 57103

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $83,999

Exercised Options: $83,999

Current Obligation: $83,999

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25222D0057

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline