VA awards $4.48M contract for wayfinding signage, with 6 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,478,516 ($4.5M)

Contractor: Bridger National Construction LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-12-10

End Date: 2026-06-04

Contract Duration: 541 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WAYFINDING

Place of Performance

Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84148

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4.5 million to BRIDGER NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION LLC for work described as: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WAYFINDING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Bridger National Construction LLC for interior and exterior wayfinding signage. 2. The contract was competed under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources', indicating a broad but potentially filtered bidding process. 3. With 6 bidders, the competition level suggests a reasonable opportunity for price discovery. 4. The contract duration is 541 days, ending in June 2026. 5. The primary agency is the Department of Veterans Affairs, suggesting services for veterans. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 236220 points to Commercial and Institutional Building Construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.48 million for wayfinding signage appears reasonable given the scope of commercial and institutional building construction. Benchmarking against similar projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources', with 6 bidders participating. This indicates that while the competition was open, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the full solicitation. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and competition, which generally aids in achieving fair market prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition level indicates that taxpayers likely benefited from a competitive bidding process, leading to a more efficient use of funds compared to a sole-source award.

Public Impact

Veterans and visitors to VA facilities will benefit from improved navigation and clear signage. The services delivered include the design, fabrication, and installation of interior and exterior wayfinding signage. The contract is geographically focused on Utah, as indicated by the state codes 'UT' and 'UTAH'. The contract supports the construction sector workforce involved in signage manufacturing and installation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions require extensive modifications to signage plans.
Risk of delays in installation due to coordination issues with other construction or renovation activities at VA facilities.
Ensuring the durability and weather resistance of exterior signage in Utah's climate conditions.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
Clear definition of services for wayfinding signage reduces ambiguity.
Award to a single contractor streamlines project management and execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically related to specialized construction services for signage. The market for construction services is substantial, with signage being a critical component for facility management and user experience. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar signage projects within federal facilities would provide further context on the value of this award.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Bridger National Construction LLC, may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified signage within the agreed-upon budget and timeline. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Facility Construction
Federal Building Signage Projects
Commercial Construction Services
Wayfinding Systems Implementation

Risk Flags

Potential for coordination delays with other facility projects.
Ensuring long-term durability of exterior signage in varying weather conditions.
Need for clear definition of 'exclusion of sources' criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4.5 million to BRIDGER NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION LLC. INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WAYFINDING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRIDGER NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION 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 $4.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-10. End: 2026-06-04.

What is the track record of Bridger National Construction LLC with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Information regarding Bridger National Construction LLC's specific track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to review past VA contracts awarded to this company, including their on-time delivery rates, adherence to budget, and any reported performance issues or commendations. A thorough analysis would involve searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS for historical contract data associated with Bridger National Construction LLC and the VA. This would help determine if they have a history of successful project completion, particularly on similar construction or signage projects, and whether they have faced any performance disputes or corrective actions.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar wayfinding signage contracts?

The awarded amount of $4.48 million for interior and exterior wayfinding signage needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts to assess its value. Factors influencing cost include the size and complexity of the facilities, the number of signs required, material quality, and installation challenges. Without specific data on comparable projects (e.g., number of signs, square footage of facilities covered, specific materials used), it is difficult to definitively state if $4.48 million represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. However, the presence of 6 bidders suggests that the price was likely competitive within the market for such services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays in installation due to coordination with other ongoing construction or renovation activities at VA facilities, which could impact the project timeline and potentially incur additional costs if not managed proactively. Another risk is ensuring the durability and long-term performance of exterior signage, particularly given the varied climate conditions in Utah, which could lead to premature wear and tear or maintenance issues. Furthermore, unforeseen site conditions during installation could necessitate design modifications or additional labor, potentially impacting the budget if not adequately addressed through contingency planning or contract clauses.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method for this type of contract?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method is a procurement strategy that allows for broad competition but permits the exclusion of specific sources based on defined criteria before the solicitation is fully released. For a contract like wayfinding signage, this method can be effective if the exclusions are justified (e.g., based on specialized capabilities or past performance requirements). It aims to ensure a competitive field while potentially streamlining the process by focusing on qualified vendors. The fact that 6 bidders participated suggests it was reasonably effective in attracting competition, but the rationale behind any exclusions would be key to understanding its full impact on price discovery and overall value for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending trend for wayfinding signage by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending trends for wayfinding signage by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are not provided in the current data. To analyze this, one would need to examine past VA contracts specifically for signage and wayfinding systems over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal patterns in contract values, the number of awards, and the types of contractors utilized. Understanding these trends could help identify if spending on such services is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether the current $4.48 million award aligns with historical investment levels for similar needs across the VA's extensive network of facilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 36C25924R0105

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6603 N HIAWATHA AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60646

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: $4,478,516

Exercised Options: $4,478,516

Current Obligation: $4,478,516

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline