VA awards $327,600 for air emission testing, highlighting a need for environmental compliance in natural gas generation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,760 ($32.8K)

Contractor: Goodwin Facilities Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 151 days

Daily Burn Rate: $217/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AIR EMISSION TESTING FOR THREE NATURAL GAS GENERATORS

Place of Performance

Location: PINEVILLE, RAPIDES County, LOUISIANA, 71360

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $32,760 to GOODWIN FACILITIES SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: AIR EMISSION TESTING FOR THREE NATURAL GAS GENERATORS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized environmental testing services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Short performance period indicates a focused, immediate need. 4. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Goodwin Facilities Solutions, LLC. 5. Geographic focus on Louisiana for testing natural gas generators.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $327,600 for air emission testing over approximately 5 months appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized environmental services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for emission testing at federal facilities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government. Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., number of generators, types of tests), a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the award amount does not immediately raise concerns.

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,' indicating that the agency initially considered excluding certain sources but ultimately opened the competition. This suggests that multiple vendors were likely aware of and had the opportunity to bid on the requirement. The presence of two bids (implied by 'no': 2) indicates some level of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award suggests that taxpayer dollars were likely used efficiently, as multiple vendors vied for the contract, potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits from ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Services delivered include essential air emission testing for natural gas generators. Geographic impact is concentrated in Louisiana, where the facilities are located. This contract supports environmental monitoring and regulatory adherence within the VA's infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased costs if testing reveals significant issues requiring further remediation.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical compliance function.

Positive Signals

Clear contract award with defined performance period.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market availability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Services sector, specifically focusing on emissions testing for industrial equipment. The market for such services is driven by regulatory compliance requirements, particularly for facilities with significant energy infrastructure like natural gas generators. While specific market size data for VA-related emission testing is not readily available, the broader environmental consulting and testing market is substantial, with numerous firms capable of performing these specialized tasks.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the primary service. The award went to Goodwin Facilities Solutions, LLC, and the nature of the service (specialized testing) may not lend itself to broad small business participation unless they are niche providers in this specific area.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of accountability by fixing the cost. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Compliance Services
Air Quality Monitoring
Industrial Emissions Testing
Federal Facility Maintenance
Department of Veterans Affairs Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for non-compliance findings requiring costly remediation.
Contractor performance risk on specialized testing services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $32,760 to GOODWIN FACILITIES SOLUTIONS, LLC. AIR EMISSION TESTING FOR THREE NATURAL GAS GENERATORS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOODWIN FACILITIES SOLUTIONS, 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 $32,760.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the specific scope of work for the air emission testing, and what regulatory standards must be met?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'AIR EMISSION TESTING FOR THREE NATURAL GAS GENERATORS' with a performance period from April 2, 2026, to August 31, 2026. The specific regulatory standards are not detailed but would typically involve EPA regulations (e.g., Clean Air Act) and potentially state-specific environmental requirements for Louisiana. The scope likely includes testing for pollutants such as NOx, SOx, CO, particulate matter, and potentially others, depending on the generator specifications and applicable permits. A detailed Statement of Work (SOW) within the contract documents would outline the precise testing protocols, sampling methods, reporting requirements, and compliance benchmarks.

How does the award amount of $327,600 compare to similar air emission testing contracts for federal facilities?

Benchmarking $327,600 requires comparing it to contracts with similar scope, duration, and complexity. Contracts for testing multiple generators, especially those with advanced emission controls or subject to stringent regulatory scrutiny, can range significantly. For a 5-month period involving three generators, this amount suggests a moderate scope. Contracts for simpler, single-generator tests might be in the tens of thousands, while comprehensive environmental assessments for large power plants could run into millions. Without more granular data on the specific testing required (e.g., number of test points, specific pollutants, frequency), it's difficult to provide a precise comparison, but the value appears reasonable for specialized, multi-generator testing.

What is Goodwin Facilities Solutions, LLC's track record with the VA and in performing similar environmental testing services?

The provided data lists Goodwin Facilities Solutions, LLC as the contractor. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance history with the VA and other federal agencies, looking at previous contracts, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of disputes or corrective actions. Information on their specific experience in air emission testing for natural gas generators, their technical capabilities, and their safety record would also be crucial. A review of their company profile and any certifications relevant to environmental testing would further inform this assessment.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks include the possibility that the testing reveals non-compliance issues requiring costly remediation, delays in testing impacting facility operations or regulatory deadlines, or inadequate performance by the contractor. Mitigation strategies likely involve a well-defined SOW, clear performance standards, the firm fixed-price structure to control costs, and the competitive bidding process to select a qualified vendor. The VA's contract management oversight and potential for penalties for non-performance also serve as risk mitigators. The short performance period suggests the need is immediate, reducing risks associated with prolonged project timelines.

What is the historical spending pattern for air emission testing services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending data for air emission testing by the VA would reveal trends in demand, average contract values, and the prevalence of different contract types (e.g., full and open vs. sole source). Analyzing this data over several fiscal years could indicate whether spending is increasing or decreasing, identify key regions or facilities with recurring needs, and highlight dominant contractors in this service area. Such analysis helps in budget forecasting, strategic sourcing, and identifying potential opportunities for consolidating requirements or achieving better pricing through longer-term agreements.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FOUCAS) designation impact the competition dynamics and potential pricing?

The FOUCAS designation suggests an initial intent to limit the pool of potential bidders, perhaps due to perceived specialized requirements or existing relationships. However, the ultimate decision to proceed with 'Full and Open Competition' means the requirement was made available to all responsible sources. This typically leads to broader market engagement than a restricted competition. While the initial exclusion might suggest a slightly less competitive environment than a pure 'Full and Open' approach from the outset, the final open competition likely still yielded multiple bids, fostering price discovery and ensuring the government could obtain a fair and reasonable price. The number of bids received (2) indicates moderate competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 36C25626Q0490

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2057 FORD AVE, SPRINGDALE, AR, 72764

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,760

Exercised Options: $32,760

Current Obligation: $32,760

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline