VA Awards $21M FIRING RANGE Contract to RANGE 54, LLC for Amusement and Recreation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,080 ($21.1K)

Contractor: Range 54, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-03-10

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 1,497 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FIRING RANGE

Place of Performance

Location: WICHITA, SEDGWICK County, KANSAS, 67218

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $21,079.8 to RANGE 54, LLC for work described as: FIRING RANGE Key points: 1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a $21.1 million contract for FIRING RANGE services. 2. The contract was awarded to RANGE 54, LLC, operating within the Amusement and Recreation Industries sector. 3. This contract represents a significant expenditure in a niche sector, raising questions about value and competition. 4. The duration of the contract is over 4 years, indicating a long-term need or service requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $21.1 million over nearly 5 years for amusement and recreation services is substantial. Without specific performance metrics or benchmarks for similar government-provided recreational facilities, it's difficult to assess if this pricing is competitive or represents excellent value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to drive down prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition on a $21.1 million contract means taxpayers may have paid more than necessary, as alternative providers were not considered.

Public Impact

Veterans may benefit from enhanced recreational facilities, potentially improving morale and well-being. The significant investment in this specific service area could divert funds from other critical VA programs. The non-competitive nature of the award raises concerns about transparency and efficient use of public funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High contract value for niche service
Potential for inflated pricing due to sole-source award

Positive Signals

Potential improvement in veteran recreational opportunities
Long-term service provision ensures continuity

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries' sector. Government spending in this area is typically less common than in sectors like IT or defense, making direct spending benchmarks difficult to establish. The $21.1 million award is a notable sum for this industry.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to RANGE 54, LLC, and there is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this sole-source award. Further investigation would be needed to confirm any small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this large contract warrants close oversight to ensure the VA is receiving fair value and that the services provided align with intended veteran benefits. Accountability for the expenditure is crucial given the lack of competitive bidding.

Related Government Programs

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
High dollar value for a non-essential service
Potential for cost overruns due to sole-source award
Limited transparency on service specifics and veteran impact

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $21,079.8 to RANGE 54, LLC. FIRING RANGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RANGE 54, LLC.

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 $21,079.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-10. End: 2026-04-15.

What specific recreational services are being provided under this contract, and how do they directly benefit veteran well-being?

The contract is for 'FIRING RANGE' services, likely encompassing the operation and maintenance of shooting ranges. While recreational shooting can be a therapeutic activity for some veterans, the direct link to overall well-being and the specific benefits derived from this $21.1 million investment require detailed justification beyond general recreation.

What efforts were made to justify the sole-source award, and were there any circumstances preventing a competitive bidding process?

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one vendor can provide the required service or product, often due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs. The VA would need to provide documentation detailing why competition was not feasible for this FIRING RANGE service to justify the $21.1 million expenditure without bidding.

How does the cost per user or per service unit compare to similar private sector recreational facilities to assess value for money?

Benchmarking the cost against private sector facilities is challenging without knowing the exact services rendered and the user volume. However, a $21.1 million contract over nearly five years suggests a substantial operational cost. A detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing this to private alternatives, adjusted for government-specific requirements, would be necessary to truly assess value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation › Other Amusement and Recreation Industries › All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C25522Q0106

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5725 E KELLOGG DR, WICHITA, KS, 67218

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,347

Exercised Options: $21,080

Current Obligation: $21,080

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline