VA awards $6M for marble headstones to American Veteran Contracting Solutions LLC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,009,650 ($6.0M)

Contractor: American Veteran Contracting Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-10-14

End Date: 2022-09-30

Contract Duration: 351 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MARBLE HEADSTONES (U1) FOR PRIVATE CEMETERIES NATIONWIDE AND (U5) FUND OPT YEAR

Place of Performance

Location: GILBERT, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85297

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $6.0 million to AMERICAN VETERAN CONTRACTING SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: MARBLE HEADSTONES (U1) FOR PRIVATE CEMETERIES NATIONWIDE AND (U5) FUND OPT YEAR Key points: 1. Spending is concentrated on headstones for private cemeteries, a niche but essential service. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate sourcing strategy. 3. Risk appears moderate, tied to material sourcing and delivery timelines for a fixed-price contract. 4. The sector is specialized manufacturing, with limited direct government procurement data available.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.01M for headstones appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking is difficult without specific unit cost data, but the firm fixed price suggests cost control was a factor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests initial sources were considered, but the final award was open. The pricing impact is likely positive due to competition, but the exclusion of sources warrants scrutiny.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for a service that benefits private cemeteries, indirectly supporting veterans' families. The competitive award aims to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Supports veterans' families by providing memorial markers. Enhances the appearance and upkeep of private cemeteries nationwide. The contract supports a specific manufacturing sector, potentially creating jobs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting marble sourcing.
Ensuring quality control for headstone manufacturing and installation.
Clarity on the 'exclusion of sources' rationale is needed.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract limits cost overrun risk.
Award to a company with 'Veteran' in its name may align with VA's mission.
Nationwide scope indicates broad reach and potential for economies of scale.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing sector. Government spending in this specific niche is relatively low, making direct benchmarks challenging. The VA's focus suggests a commitment to veteran memorialization.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if American Veteran Contracting Solutions LLC is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the contracting agency. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, quality of headstones, and timely delivery to ensure compliance with the firm fixed price agreement.

Related Government Programs

Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of specific unit cost data hinders value assessment.
Rationale for 'exclusion of sources' requires clarification.
Potential supply chain vulnerabilities for marble.
Ensuring consistent quality across nationwide deliveries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $6.0 million to AMERICAN VETERAN CONTRACTING SOLUTIONS LLC. MARBLE HEADSTONES (U1) FOR PRIVATE CEMETERIES NATIONWIDE AND (U5) FUND OPT YEAR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN VETERAN CONTRACTING SOLUTIONS 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 $6.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-14. End: 2022-09-30.

What is the average cost per headstone under this contract, and how does it compare to market rates for similar quality marble headstones?

The provided data does not include the number of headstones or the cost per unit, making a direct comparison to market rates impossible. To assess value, the VA would need to track the quantity delivered and compare the average unit cost against industry benchmarks for comparable marble headstones, considering factors like size, design complexity, and installation.

What were the specific reasons for excluding certain sources prior to the full and open competition, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The rationale for excluding specific sources before the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award is not detailed in the provided data. Understanding these reasons is crucial for assessing potential risks, such as whether it limited competition unnecessarily or if it was a strategic move to ensure specific capabilities. The impact on price is uncertain without knowing the nature of the excluded sources and their potential bids.

How effectively does this contract fulfill the VA's mission of supporting veterans and their families, particularly concerning memorialization?

This contract directly supports veterans' families by facilitating the provision of marble headstones for private cemeteries. While the direct impact on veterans is through their families' memorialization, the contract's effectiveness hinges on timely delivery, quality of the headstones, and the overall process. The VA's role here is to ensure these markers appropriately honor service, contributing to the broader mission of care and recognition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing › Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MISCELLANEOUS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4076 S BANDIT CT, GILBERT, AZ, 85297

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, 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: $6,009,650

Exercised Options: $6,009,650

Current Obligation: $6,009,650

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C78618D0117

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline