VA awards $228K for emergency water main repair, highlighting rapid response needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,800 ($22.8K)

Contractor: Milwaukee Plumbing & Piping, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 23 days

Daily Burn Rate: $991/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: EMERGENT CONSTRUCTION PO FOR BROKEN WATER MAIN ON THE MKE CAMPUS.

Place of Performance

Location: MILWAUKEE, MILWAUKEE County, WISCONSIN, 53214

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $22,800 to MILWAUKEE PLUMBING & PIPING, INC. for work described as: EMERGENT CONSTRUCTION PO FOR BROKEN WATER MAIN ON THE MKE CAMPUS. Key points: 1. Contract addresses an urgent infrastructure need, indicating potential for unforeseen maintenance costs. 2. Sole-source award suggests limited options for competition in emergency situations. 3. Short performance period points to a critical, time-sensitive repair requirement. 4. Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this emergency repair. 5. Focus on a specific campus location suggests localized infrastructure vulnerability.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $228,000 for an emergency water main repair is difficult to benchmark without more context on the scope of the 'broken' main and the specific campus. However, the urgency and sole-source nature suggest that the VA prioritized rapid resolution over competitive pricing. For emergency repairs of this nature, pricing can often be higher due to the immediate need and limited contractor availability. Further analysis would require understanding typical costs for similar emergency repairs in the Milwaukee area and the specific work required.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis due to the emergency nature of the broken water main. In such situations, the agency may have limited time to solicit bids, leading to a direct award to a known or readily available contractor. The lack of competition means that the VA did not benefit from a price discovery process that would typically occur with multiple bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award in an emergency situation means that the government may not achieve the lowest possible price, as competitive pressures are absent. While necessary for immediate repairs, this can lead to higher expenditure than if the work had been competed.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by restoring essential water services to the Milwaukee campus. Ensures continuity of operations and services for veterans and staff at the facility. Addresses a critical infrastructure failure that could impact health and safety. Supports local employment through the contractor, Milwaukee Plumbing & Piping, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to sole-source emergency award.
Lack of competitive bidding limits price transparency and potential savings.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical infrastructure repair.

Positive Signals

Rapid response to an urgent infrastructure failure.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the repair.
Award to a local Wisconsin-based company.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically water and sewer line construction. The market for emergency plumbing and piping repairs is often characterized by a need for rapid response and specialized skills. While the overall construction market size is substantial, emergency services represent a smaller, more specialized niche. Benchmarking this specific repair would involve comparing it to other emergency water main repair contracts, which are typically awarded on an expedited basis.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not competed under SAP and the small business set-aside flag is false. Therefore, there is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside for this particular purchase order. It is unclear if Milwaukee Plumbing & Piping, Inc. is a small business. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not specified in this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' internal procurement and financial management systems. Given the emergency nature and small dollar amount, it may not trigger specific Inspector General (IG) reviews unless systemic issues are identified. Transparency is limited by the sole-source award, but the contract details are publicly available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

VA Facilities Maintenance and Repair
Emergency Infrastructure Repair Contracts
Water and Sewer System Construction
Public Building Construction

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may result in higher costs.
Emergency nature limits competitive bidding opportunities.
Potential for unforeseen scope creep in emergency repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $22,800 to MILWAUKEE PLUMBING & PIPING, INC.. EMERGENT CONSTRUCTION PO FOR BROKEN WATER MAIN ON THE MKE CAMPUS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MILWAUKEE PLUMBING & PIPING, 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 $22,800.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the typical cost range for emergency water main repairs of this scale in the Milwaukee area?

Determining the typical cost range for emergency water main repairs requires detailed information about the specific nature of the break, the size and depth of the main, accessibility, and the required materials and labor. Without these specifics, a precise benchmark is challenging. However, emergency services often command a premium due to the immediate need and the contractor's readiness. For a repair estimated at $228,000, it suggests a significant break requiring substantial excavation, pipe replacement, and restoration work. Localized market research for emergency plumbing contractors in Wisconsin would be necessary to establish a more accurate comparison, considering factors like prevailing wage rates, material costs, and the contractor's overhead and profit margins for urgent, non-scheduled work.

What specific factors necessitated a sole-source award for this water main repair?

The sole-source award for this water main repair was likely necessitated by the 'EMERGENT' nature of the problem, as indicated in the data. Broken water mains can cause immediate and severe disruptions, including potential flooding, loss of essential services, and safety hazards. In such critical situations, the Department of Veterans Affairs may have determined that soliciting bids through a competitive process would cause unacceptable delays, potentially exacerbating the damage or impacting facility operations. Agencies can justify sole-source awards under specific emergency exceptions to procurement regulations, prioritizing speed and resolution over the standard competitive bidding process. The contractor, Milwaukee Plumbing & Piping, Inc., may have been selected due to their proximity, availability, and demonstrated capability to respond immediately.

How does this contract's value compare to other VA infrastructure repair spending?

Comparing this $228,000 contract to overall VA infrastructure repair spending places it as a relatively small, albeit critical, expenditure. The VA manages a vast portfolio of facilities nationwide, with annual budgets for maintenance, repair, and construction often running into billions of dollars. This specific award addresses an immediate, localized need. Larger VA projects, such as new construction or major renovations, can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. While this emergency repair is significant for the Milwaukee campus, it represents a fraction of the VA's total infrastructure investment. Trends in VA infrastructure spending show a consistent need for repairs and upgrades across its network, with emergency repairs being an unavoidable component of facility management.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding emergency repairs on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk associated with awarding emergency repairs on a sole-source basis is the potential for paying a premium price due to the lack of competition. Without multiple bids, the government cannot be assured it is receiving the best value or the most competitive rate. There's also a risk that the selected contractor may not have the most efficient or cost-effective approach compared to others who might have bid. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process, even when justified by emergency circumstances. Agencies must carefully document the justification for sole-source awards to ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations and to demonstrate that the award was made in the best interest of the government under the specific exigency.

What is the track record of Milwaukee Plumbing & Piping, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Milwaukee Plumbing & Piping, Inc. with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to query federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS for past awards, contract values, and performance reviews. As this is a purchase order under SAP, it suggests a potentially smaller or less complex engagement than a full-scale contract. However, for emergency services, agencies often rely on pre-vetted vendors or those with established local reputations. A review of their federal award history would reveal their experience with similar projects, their performance ratings on past government work, and any potential past performance issues that might be relevant to this current award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C25226P0309

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11800 W GREENFIELD AVE, MILWAUKEE, WI, 53214

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,800

Exercised Options: $22,800

Current Obligation: $22,800

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline