VA awards $5.1M contract for electrical infrastructure upgrades at Waco VAMC, impacting facility operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,109,101 ($5.1M)

Contractor: Wichita Falls Tri-Tech, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-06-01

End Date: 2026-06-01

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PROJECT 674A4-19-101 REPLACE PRIMARY MEDIUM VOLTAGE (MV) SWITCHGEAR AT THE WACO VAMC, WACO TX

Place of Performance

Location: WACO, MCLENNAN County, TEXAS, 76711

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $5.1 million to WICHITA FALLS TRI-TECH, LLC for work described as: PROJECT 674A4-19-101 REPLACE PRIMARY MEDIUM VOLTAGE (MV) SWITCHGEAR AT THE WACO VAMC, WACO TX Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical electrical system replacement, ensuring operational continuity for veteran healthcare. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 4. The contractor, Wichita Falls Tri-Tech, LLC, is responsible for delivering essential infrastructure improvements. 5. The project duration of 1461 days indicates a significant, multi-year undertaking. 6. The contract value of $5.1 million is a substantial investment in facility maintenance.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.1 million for replacing medium voltage switchgear at a VAMC appears reasonable given the critical nature of the infrastructure and the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar projects for electrical system upgrades in large federal facilities suggests that this price falls within an expected range. The firm-fixed-price contract type also provides a degree of cost control for the government. However, a more precise value-for-money assessment would require detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons with specific, comparable projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating that the VA sought bids from all responsible prospective contractors. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this project. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down the final contract price and ensured the government received a fair market value for the essential electrical infrastructure upgrades.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care at the Waco VAMC will benefit from improved reliability of essential services. The project ensures the continued operation of critical medical equipment and facility functions. The geographic impact is localized to the Waco, Texas VAMC facility. The project will likely involve local construction and electrical trades workforce during its execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays if unforeseen site conditions are encountered during the switchgear replacement.
Ensuring the contractor maintains strict safety protocols during the installation of high-voltage equipment.
Coordination challenges between the contractor's work schedule and the VAMC's ongoing operations.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The use of full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The project addresses a critical infrastructure need, enhancing facility resilience.

Sector Analysis

The electrical contracting industry is a vital component of the construction sector, responsible for installing and maintaining electrical systems in all types of facilities. Federal spending in this area often focuses on maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure in government buildings, including healthcare facilities like VA Medical Centers. This contract fits within the broader trend of federal agencies investing in modernizing their physical assets to ensure operational efficiency and safety. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve looking at other large-scale electrical infrastructure projects awarded by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). The award went to Wichita Falls Tri-Tech, LLC, which may or may not be a small business itself, but the contract was competed broadly. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation is mandated or encouraged through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and project managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a clear baseline for performance and payment. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are tied to the contract terms and performance requirements, with potential for corrective actions or penalties if the contractor fails to meet obligations. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Facility Construction
Federal Electrical Infrastructure Modernization
Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Investments
Medium Voltage Electrical Systems Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays due to unforeseen site conditions.
Risk of disruption to VAMC operations during critical installation phases.
Ensuring contractor compliance with stringent safety regulations for high-voltage work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $5.1 million to WICHITA FALLS TRI-TECH, LLC. PROJECT 674A4-19-101 REPLACE PRIMARY MEDIUM VOLTAGE (MV) SWITCHGEAR AT THE WACO VAMC, WACO TX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WICHITA FALLS TRI-TECH, 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 $5.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-01. End: 2026-06-01.

What is the track record of Wichita Falls Tri-Tech, LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Wichita Falls Tri-Tech, LLC's track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of disputes or contract modifications. Understanding their experience with similar projects, especially those involving critical infrastructure upgrades in healthcare settings, would provide valuable insight into their capability to successfully execute this $5.1 million contract. Without specific performance data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability.

How does the $5.1 million cost compare to similar MV switchgear replacement projects at other federal facilities?

Benchmarking this $5.1 million contract against similar medium voltage (MV) switchgear replacement projects at other federal facilities is crucial for assessing value for money. Factors such as facility size, complexity of the existing system, specific equipment required, and geographic location can influence costs. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing data from projects of comparable scope and scale, considering the age and condition of the infrastructure being replaced, and accounting for any unique site challenges. Preliminary assessment suggests the cost is within a reasonable range for such critical infrastructure work, but detailed comparative analysis is needed for a definitive conclusion.

What are the primary risks associated with replacing medium voltage switchgear in an operational VAMC?

The primary risks associated with replacing medium voltage switchgear in an operational VAMC include potential disruption to patient care and essential hospital services if power outages are not meticulously managed. There's also a risk of equipment failure during the transition, leading to downtime. Safety risks for personnel working with high-voltage equipment are significant and require stringent protocols. Furthermore, unforeseen site conditions, such as asbestos or outdated existing infrastructure not matching design documents, could lead to delays and cost overruns. Ensuring seamless integration with existing systems and cybersecurity of the new equipment are also key considerations.

What is the expected impact of this project on the operational effectiveness and reliability of the Waco VAMC?

This project is expected to significantly enhance the operational effectiveness and reliability of the Waco VAMC by replacing aging and potentially failure-prone medium voltage switchgear. The new equipment will improve power quality and stability, reducing the risk of unplanned outages that could disrupt critical medical services, patient care, and the operation of sensitive medical equipment. Enhanced reliability ensures that the facility can consistently provide the necessary healthcare services without interruption, contributing to a safer and more efficient environment for both patients and staff. This upgrade is a fundamental investment in the facility's long-term operational resilience.

What has been the historical spending trend for electrical infrastructure upgrades at VA facilities over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending trends for electrical infrastructure upgrades at VA facilities over the past five years would reveal patterns in investment and identify potential surges or declines in funding for such projects. This data could indicate whether the $5.1 million award for the Waco VAMC is part of a consistent upgrade cycle or a response to a specific identified need or backlog. Understanding these trends can help contextualize the current investment and inform future budget allocations for similar critical infrastructure maintenance across the VA system. A detailed review of VA capital improvement budgets and specific project awards would be required for this analysis.

Are there any specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) defined in the contract to measure success?

While the provided data does not detail specific performance metrics or KPIs, firm-fixed-price contracts typically define success through adherence to the contract's scope of work, schedule, and quality standards. For this project, success would likely be measured by the timely and successful installation and commissioning of the new MV switchgear, meeting all specified technical requirements and safety regulations. The VA would likely conduct inspections and testing to verify performance. Detailed performance metrics would be outlined in the contract's statement of work and any associated performance work statements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 36C25722B0014

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Wichita Falls Tri-Tech LLC

Address: 1205 WISHING TREE LN, KELLER, TX, 76248

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,109,101

Exercised Options: $5,109,101

Current Obligation: $5,109,101

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline