VA awards $1.52M emergency repair contract to Nevada Tap Master Inc. for Las Vegas VAMC chiller plant

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,220 ($15.2K)

Contractor: Nevada TAP Master Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-03-13

End Date: 2026-04-02

Contract Duration: 20 days

Daily Burn Rate: $761/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: EMERGENCY REPAIR OF CHILLER PLANT CONDENSER WATER LINE AT VAMC - LAS VEGAS

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH LAS VEGAS, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89086

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $15,220 to NEVADA TAP MASTER INC for work described as: EMERGENCY REPAIR OF CHILLER PLANT CONDENSER WATER LINE AT VAMC - LAS VEGAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost savings through competition. 2. The emergency nature of the repair may have limited the ability to conduct a competitive procurement. 3. The contract duration is short (20 days), suggesting a focused scope of work. 4. The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The contractor, Nevada Tap Master Inc., is based in Nevada, potentially indicating local sourcing for emergency repairs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.52 million for a 20-day emergency repair of a chiller plant condenser water line appears to be on the higher end for this type of service, especially given the lack of competition. Without comparable sole-source emergency repair contracts for similar facilities, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value. However, the urgency of the situation may have necessitated a premium price to ensure rapid resolution and minimize disruption to VAMC operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded on a sole-source basis. This indicates that the Department of Veterans Affairs likely determined that only one contractor, Nevada Tap Master Inc., could meet the urgent requirements for the emergency repair of the chiller plant condenser water line. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have potentially driven down the price.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source award means taxpayers did not benefit from competitive pricing, which could have led to a lower overall cost for this emergency repair.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the patients and staff of the Las Vegas VAMC, who will have their essential cooling systems restored. The services delivered include emergency repair of critical infrastructure, ensuring the operational continuity of the medical facility. The geographic impact is localized to Las Vegas, Nevada, where the VAMC is located. Workforce implications are likely minimal, involving a specialized repair crew for the duration of the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price discovery and potential savings for taxpayers.
Emergency nature of the repair may lead to inflated costs due to urgency.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses an urgent need, ensuring continuity of essential services at the VAMC.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contractor is based locally, potentially enabling faster response times for emergency repairs.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector, particularly commercial and institutional building maintenance and repair, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls under the broader category of facilities maintenance and repair, which is crucial for government-owned buildings like Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. The market for such services can be competitive, but emergency situations often necessitate expedited, sometimes sole-source, procurements to address immediate operational needs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting opportunities. Given the sole-source nature and the specific technical requirements for emergency chiller plant repair, it is unlikely that small business subcontracting was a primary consideration in this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' internal procurement and financial management systems. The Inspector General's office within the VA may review sole-source awards, especially those of significant value, to ensure compliance with regulations and proper justification. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, with details of the justification for not competing likely held internally by the agency.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Maintenance
Emergency Repair Contracts
HVAC System Repair
Commercial Building Construction

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
High per-diem cost
Emergency procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $15,220 to NEVADA TAP MASTER INC. EMERGENCY REPAIR OF CHILLER PLANT CONDENSER WATER LINE AT VAMC - LAS VEGAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NEVADA TAP MASTER 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 $15,220.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-13. End: 2026-04-02.

What is the typical cost range for emergency chiller plant condenser water line repairs of this scope and duration in the Las Vegas area?

Benchmarking the exact cost for emergency chiller plant condenser water line repairs is challenging without specific details on the nature of the damage, required parts, and labor intensity. However, for a 20-day emergency repair valued at $1.52 million, the average daily cost is approximately $76,000. This figure seems high for a 20-day repair, even an emergency one. Typical commercial HVAC repair costs can range significantly, but emergency services often incur a premium. Factors like specialized equipment, 24/7 labor, and expedited material delivery contribute to higher prices. Without a competitive bid, it's difficult to ascertain if this price reflects fair market value or includes an 'emergency premium' that could be substantial.

What specific justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and is a 'DEFINITIVE CONTRACT' awarded sole-source. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 outlines the policies for competitive contracting, with exceptions for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs (FAR 6.302-1). For an emergency repair, the justification would likely center on the urgency of the situation, the need for immediate restoration of critical services, and the potential unavailability of other qualified contractors able to respond within the required timeframe. The specific justification document, if publicly available, would detail the rationale, market research conducted (or lack thereof due to urgency), and the determination that competition was not feasible or would cause unacceptable delays.

What is the track record of Nevada Tap Master Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs and similar government contracts?

Information regarding Nevada Tap Master Inc.'s specific track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or other government agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards, performance reviews, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. For a sole-source emergency award, the agency likely relied on existing knowledge of the contractor's capabilities or a rapid assessment of their ability to perform the critical repair. Without access to their performance history, it's difficult to evaluate their reliability and past value delivered to the government.

How does this contract's value compare to other emergency repair contracts for federal facilities?

Comparing this $1.52 million contract for a 20-day emergency repair to other federal emergency repair contracts is challenging without more specific data points. Emergency repairs are inherently variable in cost due to the unpredictable nature of the issues, the required speed of response, and the specific infrastructure involved. However, a daily expenditure of approximately $76,000 for an emergency repair of a chiller plant condenser water line suggests a potentially high cost. Federal agencies often pay a premium for emergency services to ensure operational continuity. To provide a robust comparison, one would need to analyze contracts for similar types of infrastructure (e.g., HVAC, critical building systems) at other federal facilities, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and geographic location.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding emergency repair contracts on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk associated with sole-source emergency repair contracts is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competition. When an agency cannot solicit bids from multiple vendors, it loses the opportunity to leverage market forces to secure the best possible price. This can lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary. Another risk is the potential for substandard work if the agency does not have sufficient time or resources to adequately vet the sole-source provider's capabilities and past performance. Furthermore, sole-source awards can create a perception of favoritism or a lack of transparency, even if the award is justified by genuine emergency circumstances. Agencies must carefully document the justification for sole-source awards to mitigate these risks and ensure accountability.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: N/A

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arizona TAP Master, Inc

Address: 4640 S VALLEY VIEW BLVD STE A, LAS VEGAS, NV, 89103

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,220

Exercised Options: $15,220

Current Obligation: $15,220

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline