VA awards $200K task order for architectural services at Wisconsin hospital

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $200,223 ($200.2K)

Contractor: Stone Group Architects, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-20

End Date: 2028-05-29

Contract Duration: 770 days

Daily Burn Rate: $260/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TASK ORDER #17 FOR RENOVATE 5A 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 $200,223.1 to STONE GROUP ARCHITECTS, INC. for work described as: TASK ORDER #17 FOR RENOVATE 5A 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 and engineering services. 3. Project duration is approximately 770 days, ending in May 2028. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating a set cost for the services. 5. This award represents a small portion of the overall IDIQ contract value. 6. The project is located at the Wm. S. Middleton VA Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $200,223.10 for architectural design services appears reasonable for a task order of this nature. Benchmarking against similar task orders for hospital renovations or architectural services within the VA system would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific details on the scope of work, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive or if it represents excellent value. However, the fixed-price nature suggests a degree of cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which typically means it was competed broadly, but specific sources might have been excluded for defined reasons. The details provided do not specify the number of bidders, which is crucial for assessing the level of competition. A robust competition generally leads to better pricing and innovation for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, suggests that taxpayers are likely to benefit from competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified contractors vying for the work.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving services at the Wm. S. Middleton VA Hospital will benefit from improved facilities. The project will deliver architectural and engineering design services for renovations. The geographic impact is localized to Madison, Wisconsin. The contract is expected to support the workforce within the architectural and engineering sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the scope of work makes it difficult to fully assess value.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand its impact.
Limited information on the number of bidders prevents a thorough analysis of competitive dynamics.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Project aims to improve healthcare infrastructure for veterans.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services (NAICS 541310) sector, a critical component of the construction and engineering industry. The federal government is a significant client for these services, particularly for maintaining and upgrading its vast portfolio of facilities, including healthcare institutions like VA hospitals. Spending in this sector is often driven by infrastructure needs, modernization efforts, and specific project requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other architectural design task orders issued by the VA or other federal agencies for similar facility types and project scopes.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The primary contractor, Stone Group Architects, Inc., will be responsible for delivering the services. Analysis of the broader IDIQ contract's small business utilization goals would be necessary to understand the overall impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. The Inspector General's office within the VA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which record award details. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Facility Construction
Architectural and Engineering Services IDIQ Contracts
Federal Healthcare Infrastructure Projects

Risk Flags

Limited competition details
Potential for scope creep
Unforeseen site conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $200,223.1 to STONE GROUP ARCHITECTS, INC.. TASK ORDER #17 FOR RENOVATE 5A 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 $200,223.1.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2028-05-29.

What is the specific scope of renovation work covered by this task order?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of renovation work for Task Order #17. It is identified as 'TASK ORDER #17 FOR RENOVATE 5A CPS UNDER THE BASE IDIQ CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN TASK ORDERS FOR THE WM. S. MIDDLETON VA HOSPITAL, MADISON, WISCONSIN.' To understand the full scope, one would need to review the task order's statement of work (SOW). This would typically include details on the areas to be renovated, the type of renovations (e.g., structural, electrical, plumbing, finishes), and any specific functional requirements for the renovated spaces. Without the SOW, the assessment of value and performance is limited to the contract's administrative details.

How does the cost of this task order compare to similar architectural design services for VA hospitals?

Benchmarking this $200,223.10 task order against similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of VA hospital renovation design projects. Factors such as the size of the area being renovated, the complexity of the existing infrastructure, and the specific design services required (e.g., preliminary design, detailed construction documents, construction administration) significantly influence costs. While the amount appears reasonable for a task order, a definitive comparison would necessitate analyzing the scope of work against other awards for comparable projects. The fact that it's a task order under a larger IDIQ suggests it's a defined, potentially smaller, component of a larger renovation effort.

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

To assess the track record of Stone Group Architects, Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs, one would need to examine their contract history within the VA. This includes reviewing past awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of contract modifications or disputes. A positive history of successful project completion and adherence to contract terms would indicate reliability. Conversely, a history of performance issues or significant contract problems could raise concerns. The award of this task order suggests they have met the qualifications and requirements set forth in the IDIQ contract, but a deeper dive into their past performance is recommended for a comprehensive risk assessment.

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

Potential risks associated with this task order include scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the original agreement, potentially leading to cost overruns or schedule delays, despite the firm-fixed-price nature. Contractor performance risk exists, as with any contract, where the quality of design or adherence to schedule may not meet expectations. Furthermore, unforeseen conditions within the existing hospital infrastructure (5A CPS) could necessitate design changes, impacting the project timeline and potentially requiring contract modifications. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type also presents a minor risk if it inadvertently limited the pool of highly qualified bidders.

How does this contract fit into the VA's broader strategy for facility modernization?

This task order for architectural design services at the Wm. S. Middleton VA Hospital likely fits into the VA's broader strategy of modernizing its healthcare facilities to improve patient care, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with current healthcare standards and building codes. Renovations are a key component of maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure. By awarding task orders under IDIQ contracts, the VA can efficiently procure design services for specific projects, allowing for flexibility and responsiveness to evolving needs across its network of hospitals. This particular task order addresses a specific renovation need within a Wisconsin-based facility.

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: $200,223

Exercised Options: $200,223

Current Obligation: $200,223

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