VA awards $231K contract for portable toilet cleaning services to United Site Services of Nevada, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,180 ($23.2K)
Contractor: United Site Services of Nevada, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2020-10-01
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PORTABLE TOILET CLEANING SERVICES (7)
Place of Performance
Location: TACOMA, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98493
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $23,179.98 to UNITED SITE SERVICES OF NEVADA, INC for work described as: PORTABLE TOILET CLEANING SERVICES (7) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential facility maintenance services. 2. Competition method was 'Competed under SAP', indicating a potentially limited but documented process. 3. The contract duration is 5 years, suggesting a long-term need. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 562991 covers Septic Tank and Related Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $231,79.98 over five years averages to approximately $46,359 per year. Without specific benchmarks for portable toilet cleaning services in the Washington region, a direct pricing assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'Competed under SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically applies to procurements below certain dollar thresholds. While this indicates some level of competition, it may not represent the full market potential and could impact price discovery compared to broader competitive methods.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential sanitation services, ensuring facility functionality. The SAP competition method aims for efficiency while seeking competitive pricing within its scope.
Public Impact
Ensures sanitary conditions at VA facilities, crucial for patient care and staff well-being. Supports operational continuity by maintaining essential services. Provides a stable service for a significant duration, allowing for predictable budgeting.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to SAP.
- Long contract duration may not capture market price fluctuations.
- No explicit mention of small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Awarded to a single vendor for a defined period.
- Addresses a necessary operational requirement.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under the broader category of facility support services. Spending benchmarks for specialized services like portable toilet cleaning can vary significantly by region and specific service level agreements. The VA's consistent need for such services highlights the importance of this sector for government operations.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific award ('sb': false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small businesses were considered or if this service is typically dominated by larger providers.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded via Purchase Order under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, suggesting a streamlined oversight process. Accountability for service delivery rests with the Department of Veterans Affairs, ensuring the contractor meets the terms of the firm fixed-price agreement.
Related Government Programs
- Septic Tank and Related Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Long-term contract duration.
- No small business participation noted.
- Lack of specific regional pricing benchmarks.
Tags
septic-tank-and-related-services, department-of-veterans-affairs, wa, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $23,179.98 to UNITED SITE SERVICES OF NEVADA, INC. PORTABLE TOILET CLEANING SERVICES (7)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNITED SITE SERVICES OF NEVADA, 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 $23,179.98.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.
What is the typical market rate for similar portable toilet cleaning services in the Washington region to assess if the awarded price is competitive?
Determining the precise market rate requires detailed regional data on service frequency, unit types, and specific cleaning protocols. Benchmarking against similar government contracts or private sector service agreements in Washington would be necessary. Without this, assessing the $46,359 annual average against industry standards is speculative, though the firm fixed-price nature offers budget certainty.
Could a more open competition process have yielded better pricing or service options for the VA?
The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) suggests the procurement was likely below the threshold for full and open competition. While SAP aims for efficiency, a broader competition might have attracted more bidders, potentially leading to lower prices or innovative service offerings. However, the current method may have been deemed sufficient for the estimated value and service type.
How will the VA ensure the quality and effectiveness of the portable toilet cleaning services over the 5-year contract duration?
The VA will likely rely on performance metrics outlined in the contract, regular inspections, and user feedback to ensure service quality. The firm fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to maintain standards efficiently. The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for monitoring contractor performance and addressing any deficiencies to guarantee the effectiveness of the services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Septic Tank and Related Services
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 36C26020Q0783
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 118 FLANDERS RD STE 1000, WESTBOROUGH, MA, 01581
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $44,822
Exercised Options: $34,244
Current Obligation: $23,180
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-10-01
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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.)