VA awards $31.4M contract for boiler inspection and repair to Barque Consulting, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,378 ($31.4K)
Contractor: Barque Consulting, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2025-09-05
End Date: 2026-09-04
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $86/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BOILER INSPECTION AND REPAIR
Place of Performance
Location: CHEYENNE, LARAMIE County, WYOMING, 82001
State: Wyoming Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $31,377.71 to BARQUE CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: BOILER INSPECTION AND REPAIR Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Barque Consulting, LLC for boiler inspection and repair services. 2. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the contracting agency. 3. The contract has a duration of 364 days. 4. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. 5. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $31.4 million for a one-year boiler inspection and repair service appears high. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized facility maintenance is needed to assess if this pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a limited competition environment. While SAP aims for efficiency, it may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The $31.4 million expenditure represents taxpayer funds allocated for essential facility maintenance at VA facilities. Ensuring competitive pricing is crucial for maximizing the value of this investment.
Public Impact
Ensures operational readiness of critical VA facility infrastructure. Supports the health and safety of veterans and staff by maintaining essential systems. Potential for cost savings if pricing is benchmarked against industry standards. Impact on local economy in Wyoming through contract execution.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 86 / 10
Warning Flags
- High contract value for a one-year service period.
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics provided.
Positive Signals
- Essential service for VA facilities.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Contract duration aligns with annual maintenance cycles.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under building inspection services, a niche within facility maintenance. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on the age and complexity of facilities requiring specialized inspections and repairs.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Barque Consulting, LLC. Further analysis is needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The use of SAP warrants scrutiny to ensure fair opportunity and competitive pricing were achieved.
Related Government Programs
- Building Inspection Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- High contract value for a one-year duration.
- Procurement under SAP for a large dollar amount.
- Potential for limited competition.
- Lack of detailed scope of work provided.
- Need for robust performance metrics.
Tags
building-inspection-services, department-of-veterans-affairs, wy, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $31,377.71 to BARQUE CONSULTING, LLC. BOILER INSPECTION AND REPAIR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BARQUE CONSULTING, 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 $31,377.71.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-05. End: 2026-09-04.
What is the specific scope of 'boiler inspection and repair' covered by this contract, and how does it justify the $31.4 million price tag?
The contract details for 'BOILER INSPECTION AND REPAIR' are broad. A $31.4 million value suggests extensive services, potentially including multiple facilities, complex repairs, emergency services, and specialized equipment. A detailed breakdown of services, asset inventory, and historical repair data is necessary to validate the cost against the scope.
Given the contract was competed under SAP, what steps were taken to ensure adequate price discovery and prevent potential overpayment?
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are intended for smaller purchases, typically under $250,000. A $31.4 million contract under SAP raises concerns about the procurement process. Agencies must still demonstrate price reasonableness, often through market research or comparison to similar contracts, even under SAP, though the rigor may be less than for larger procurements.
How will the effectiveness of Barque Consulting, LLC's services be measured to ensure the VA receives value for its investment?
Effectiveness measurement should involve key performance indicators (KPIs) such as system uptime, response times for repairs, adherence to safety standards, and successful completion of inspection requirements. Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms are crucial to ensure the VA is receiving the expected value and quality of service.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Building Inspection Services
Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › INSPECTION SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 36C25925Q0689
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 276 BERMUDA BEACH DR, FORT PIERCE, FL, 34949
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: $31,378
Exercised Options: $31,378
Current Obligation: $31,378
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-05
Current End Date: 2026-09-04
Potential End Date: 2026-09-04 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
Other Department of Veterans Affairs Contracts
- CCN Region 3 Express Report — $5.2B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)
- Express Report for FY22 Region 2 — $5.1B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)
- Fiscal Year 2022 Express Report for Region 1 — $4.2B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)
- Express Report for the Patient Centered Community Care (PC3) Contract — $3.3B (Triwest Healthcare Alliance Corp)
- CCN Region Three FY21 Express Report — $3.1B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)