VA Awards $18.1M for Smart Home Ecu to Improveability LLC, Sole Source

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,114 ($18.1K)

Contractor: Improveability LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 212 days

Daily Burn Rate: $85/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SMART HOME ECU

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78229

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $18,114.3 to IMPROVEABILITY LLC for work described as: SMART HOME ECU Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Improveability LLC for Smart Home Ecu. 2. Total contract value is $18.1 million. 3. The contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery. 4. The sector is Electronic Computer Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $18.1 million for a Smart Home ECU is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the system's capabilities and scale. As a sole-source award, there's no direct comparison to similar contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning it was not competed. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to obtain the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing available in the market.

Public Impact

Veterans may benefit from enhanced smart home technology, improving their quality of life. The lack of competition raises concerns about the efficient use of taxpayer funds. Transparency in sole-source procurements is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 85 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding.

Positive Signals

Addresses specific needs for veterans.
Contract duration provides a defined period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The Electronic Computer Manufacturing sector is broad, encompassing various hardware and software solutions. A $18.1 million contract for smart home technology suggests a significant deployment or advanced system, potentially above typical benchmarks for standard consumer devices.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source procurement, which could represent a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the VA is receiving fair value and that the procurement process was justified.

Related Government Programs

Electronic Computer Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source justification requires thorough review.
Potential for inflated pricing.
Lack of small business participation.
Limited market research evident.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $18,114.3 to IMPROVEABILITY LLC. SMART HOME ECU

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IMPROVEABILITY 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 $18,114.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-10-31.

What specific capabilities does the Smart Home ECU offer to justify a sole-source award of $18.1 million?

The justification for a sole-source award of $18.1 million for a Smart Home ECU would need to detail unique technological requirements, specialized integration needs with existing VA systems, or a critical, time-sensitive operational necessity that only Improveability LLC could meet. Without this specific information, it's difficult to assess the value proposition beyond the stated contract amount.

What are the risks associated with awarding an $18.1 million contract sole-source for smart home technology?

The primary risk is financial: the VA may have overpaid due to the absence of competitive bidding. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, limited innovation if the chosen technology becomes outdated, and potential challenges in future upgrades or maintenance. Furthermore, the lack of transparency inherent in sole-source awards can erode public trust and scrutiny.

How effective is a sole-source procurement strategy for acquiring advanced smart home technology for veterans?

Sole-source procurement can be effective if there is a genuine and documented lack of viable alternatives or a critical need that only one vendor can fulfill. However, for advanced technology like smart home systems, it's often possible to find multiple vendors. Relying solely on this method risks missing out on better pricing, innovative solutions, and broader market engagement, potentially impacting the overall effectiveness and value delivered to veterans.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3310 W BRAKER LANE, AUSTIN, TX, 78758

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,114

Exercised Options: $18,114

Current Obligation: $18,114

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline