VA awards $223,904 fire protection services contract to LW ENTERPRISES, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $223,905 ($223.9K)

Contractor: LW Enterprises, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-04-15

End Date: 2026-04-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $615/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: GRAND JUNCTION, MESA County, COLORADO, 81501

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $223,904.5 to LW ENTERPRISES, INC. for work described as: FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. Duration of 364 days indicates a need for ongoing, routine services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561621 points to security systems services, with fire protection being a component. 5. Awarded to LW ENTERPRISES, INC., a single entity, highlighting the specific provider for these services. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate subcontracting requirements. 7. The service is categorized under Security Systems Services, indicating a broader scope than just fire suppression.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $223,904 for a one-year period for fire protection services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized security system maintenance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for fire protection and security system services would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs, but the absence of detailed cost breakdowns makes a granular value assessment challenging. Without specific performance metrics or service level agreements detailed in the provided data, it's difficult to fully evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the spending.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for procurements under the micro-purchase threshold or up to a certain dollar amount. While the exact number of bids received is not specified beyond the 'no' field indicating 7 bids, the use of SAP suggests an effort to solicit multiple offers. The competition level, even under SAP, is generally expected to drive competitive pricing. However, the specific details of the solicitation and evaluation process would be needed to confirm the extent of price discovery achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing, leading to potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source awards. The presence of 7 bids suggests a healthy level of interest from potential providers.

Public Impact

Federal facilities managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will receive essential fire protection services. This ensures the safety and security of personnel, assets, and patients within VA facilities. The services are geographically focused within Colorado, where the contract is registered. The contract supports the operational continuity of VA healthcare and administrative functions by maintaining safety systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited insight into specific performance metrics or service level agreements.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown to fully assess value for money.
Competition was conducted under SAP, which may have different oversight than full and open competition for larger contracts.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price award provides cost certainty.
Multiple bids (7) indicate competitive interest.
Contract duration is aligned with typical service periods.

Sector Analysis

The fire protection services market is a critical component of the broader security systems and facility maintenance sector. This contract falls under NAICS code 561621 (Security Systems Services, except Locksmiths), indicating a focus on integrated security solutions that include fire detection and suppression systems. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, with agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs requiring robust safety and security infrastructure across their numerous facilities. Spending in this area is driven by regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and the need to protect personnel and assets.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits intended for the small business ecosystem through this particular award. The competition was open, and the award went to LW ENTERPRISES, INC. without specific small business considerations.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a purchase order awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally involves less extensive documentation and oversight compared to larger, more complex contracts. Oversight would primarily be managed by the contracting officer and relevant program officials within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance monitoring and accountability measures are typically outlined in the contract's statement of work and terms, which are not fully detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fire Protection Contracts
Department of Veterans Affairs Facility Maintenance
Security Systems Services Contracts
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if contractor performance is inadequate.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and service level agreements.
Reliance on contractor's internal quality control for service delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $223,904.5 to LW ENTERPRISES, INC.. FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LW ENTERPRISES, INC..

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 $223,904.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-15. End: 2026-04-14.

What is the track record of LW ENTERPRISES, INC. with federal contracts, particularly for fire protection or security systems?

Information regarding LW ENTERPRISES, INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially concerning fire protection or security systems, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review past performance, contract history, and any reported issues or commendations. Understanding their experience with similar sized contracts and agencies would be crucial for assessing their reliability and capability in fulfilling this VA requirement. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their established performance within the federal contracting landscape.

How does the awarded price of $223,904 for one year of fire protection services compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

The awarded price of $223,904 for a 364-day contract for fire protection services needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts and market rates for a precise value assessment. Given the NAICS code 561621 (Security Systems Services), the scope likely includes maintenance and potentially installation or inspection of fire safety systems integrated with broader security. Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., number of systems, types of services, response times), direct comparison is challenging. However, for a single facility or a small group of facilities, this annual cost appears within a plausible range for specialized security and safety system services. Further analysis would involve comparing this per-diem cost or total contract value against historical VA contracts for similar services or against industry benchmarks for commercial entities of comparable size and complexity.

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

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential service disruptions if LW ENTERPRISES, INC. fails to perform adequately, leading to compromised fire safety. Another risk is the possibility of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract doesn't fully account for unforeseen maintenance needs, although this is less likely with FFP. Performance risk is mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to deliver services efficiently. The Department of Veterans Affairs likely has oversight mechanisms, including contract monitoring and performance reviews, to ensure compliance. The limited duration (one year) also allows for reassessment and potential re-competition if performance is unsatisfactory. The use of SAP suggests a focus on lower-risk, routine services.

What is the expected effectiveness of these fire protection services in ensuring VA facility safety?

The effectiveness of these fire protection services hinges on the quality of execution by LW ENTERPRISES, INC. and the clarity of the contract's statement of work. Assuming the contract includes regular inspections, maintenance, and prompt response to system issues, it should contribute significantly to maintaining a safe environment within VA facilities in Colorado. The firm-fixed-price nature incentivizes efficient service delivery. However, true effectiveness is measured by the actual reduction in fire-related risks and the reliability of the fire protection systems when needed. Without specific performance metrics or historical data on system failures or incidents, a definitive assessment of effectiveness is limited to the expectation that the contracted services will meet established safety standards.

How has the VA's spending on fire protection and security systems services evolved over the past few years?

Analyzing the VA's spending evolution on fire protection and security systems services would require a review of historical contract data over several fiscal years. This contract, valued at approximately $223,904 for one year, falls under NAICS 561621. Trends in VA spending in this category are influenced by factors such as facility upgrades, aging infrastructure, regulatory changes, and national security priorities. Generally, spending in these areas tends to be consistent, reflecting the ongoing need for safety and security. Significant increases or decreases might indicate major modernization efforts, budget shifts, or changes in contracting strategies. A detailed analysis would involve aggregating spending data for similar NAICS codes across the VA over multiple years.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS TESTING

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C25925Q0190

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6786 S REVERE PKWY STE 110, CENTENNIAL, CO, 80112

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $524,473

Exercised Options: $223,905

Current Obligation: $223,905

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline