VA awards $148.8K weed abatement contract to EDG Contractors, LLC for landscaping services in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $148,800 ($148.8K)

Contractor: EDG Contractors, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-05-01

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $136/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS REQUIRES WEED ABATEMENT CONTRACT FOR WEEKLY SPRAYINGS.

Place of Performance

Location: LOMA LINDA, SAN BERNARDINO County, CALIFORNIA, 92357

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $148,800 to EDG CONTRACTORS, LLC for work described as: VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS REQUIRES WEED ABATEMENT CONTRACT FOR WEEKLY SPRAYINGS. Key points: 1. Contract aims to maintain grounds at VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS. 2. Weekly spraying services are required for effective weed control. 3. The contract duration spans three years, from May 2024 to April 2027. 4. EDG Contractors, LLC, based in California, will perform the services. 5. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 6. This award falls under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) simplified acquisition procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $148,800 over three years averages to $49,600 annually for weed abatement services. This appears to be a reasonable cost for maintaining the grounds of a healthcare system, considering the need for regular, specialized services. Benchmarking against similar landscaping and grounds maintenance contracts for federal facilities suggests this pricing is within expected ranges, especially given the specific requirements for weekly spraying.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under simplified acquisition procedures (SAP), which are designed for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP competition typically involves multiple quotes from qualified sources, aiming to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. The fact that it was competed suggests that the VA sought multiple offers to identify the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP generally leads to competitive pricing, benefiting taxpayers by ensuring the government receives good value for the funds expended on essential services like grounds maintenance.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the patients and staff of the VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, who will experience a well-maintained and safe environment. The service delivered is essential weed abatement through weekly spraying. The geographic impact is localized to the facilities managed by VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS in California. The contract supports local employment through EDG CONTRACTORS, LLC, a California-based company.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on chemical spraying without exploring integrated pest management alternatives.
Limited scope of services may not address broader landscape management needs.
Contract duration could be extended without re-competition if performance is satisfactory, potentially limiting future competitive opportunities.

Positive Signals

Clear definition of weekly spraying services ensures consistent weed control.
Firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Competition under SAP likely secured a reasonable price for the required services.
Contract supports a small business, aligning with federal procurement goals.

Sector Analysis

The landscaping services sector, particularly for government contracts, involves maintaining public spaces, grounds, and facilities. This contract for weed abatement falls under the broader category of grounds maintenance and horticultural services. The market for such services is competitive, with many small and medium-sized businesses specializing in landscaping, pest control, and groundskeeping. Federal agencies often contract out these services to ensure professional upkeep and compliance with environmental standards.

Small Business Impact

While this contract was competed under SAP, it is not explicitly stated as a small business set-aside. However, the award to EDG CONTRACTORS, LLC, a company likely to be a small business given the contract value and SAP competition, suggests potential support for the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to confirm if subcontracting opportunities are mandated or likely to arise.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded.

Related Government Programs

Federal Grounds Maintenance Contracts
Pest and Weed Control Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Facility Management
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for inadequate performance monitoring
Reliance on chemical solutions without integrated pest management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $148,800 to EDG CONTRACTORS, LLC. VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS REQUIRES WEED ABATEMENT CONTRACT FOR WEEKLY SPRAYINGS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EDG CONTRACTORS, 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 $148,800.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for weed abatement services at VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS?

Historical spending data for weed abatement at VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS is not directly available in the provided data. However, the current award of $148,800 over three years suggests an annual expenditure of approximately $49,600 for these services. To understand historical patterns, one would need to access past contract awards for similar services at this specific facility or within the broader VA region. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for previous contracts related to grounds maintenance, landscaping, and specifically weed control, noting their values, durations, and awarded contractors to identify trends in spending, pricing, and contractor performance over time.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar weed abatement contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

The annual cost of approximately $49,600 for weed abatement services at VA LOMA LINDA HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS appears to be within a reasonable range when compared to similar contracts. Federal agencies often procure grounds maintenance and pest control services, and pricing can vary based on geographic location, scope of work (e.g., frequency of spraying, area covered), and specific environmental conditions. Without detailed scope information for comparable contracts, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, for a healthcare system requiring weekly spraying over a significant area, this annual figure suggests competitive pricing, likely influenced by the SAP competition process which aims for fair and reasonable offers.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for weed abatement?

A primary risk with firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts for services like weed abatement is that the contractor may seek to minimize costs by reducing the quality or thoroughness of service delivery if not adequately monitored. For instance, EDG CONTRACTORS, LLC might use less effective methods or reduce the frequency of visits if they perceive it as a way to increase profit margins, potentially leading to less effective weed control. Another risk is that unforeseen circumstances, such as unusually severe weed growth due to weather patterns, could make the fixed price less favorable for the contractor, potentially leading to disputes or a desire to cut corners. Robust performance monitoring by the COR is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives the full value of the contracted services.

What is the track record of EDG CONTRACTORS, LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for landscaping or grounds maintenance?

Information regarding the specific track record of EDG CONTRACTORS, LLC in performing federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. As the award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), it is likely a smaller contract, and extensive performance history might not be as readily available or as critical as for larger, more complex procurements. To assess their track record, one would typically review past performance evaluations (if available in federal databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), check for any past performance issues or disputes on previous government contracts, and examine the types and scale of services they have previously provided to federal agencies. Without this specific data, their suitability is inferred from the competitive award process.

How effective is weekly spraying as a method for weed abatement in a healthcare system environment?

Weekly spraying is generally an effective method for weed abatement, especially in environments like healthcare systems where maintaining a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing exterior is important. This frequency allows for proactive control, preventing weeds from becoming established and potentially causing issues such as tripping hazards, structural damage, or harboring pests. However, the long-term effectiveness can depend on the types of weeds present, the herbicides used, and environmental factors. Best practices often involve integrating spraying with other methods like manual removal, mulching, and landscape design to create a more sustainable and environmentally sound weed management program, rather than relying solely on chemical applications.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C26224Q0114

Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3800 GUNDRY AVE, LONG BEACH, CA, 90807

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, 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: $248,000

Exercised Options: $148,800

Current Obligation: $148,800

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline