VA Awards $2.1M Grounds Maintenance Contract to Veterans Choice Services LLC for 325 Days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,095,205 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Veterans Choice Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-04-09

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 325 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FSNC (894) GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES. CONTRACT NUMBER: 36C78624D50131 POP: 04/7/25 - 02/28/26

Place of Performance

Location: MINNEAPOLIS, HENNEPIN County, MINNESOTA, 55450

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.1 million to VETERANS CHOICE SERVICES LLC for work described as: FSNC (894) GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES. CONTRACT NUMBER: 36C78624D50131 POP: 04/7/25 - 02/28/26 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for grounds maintenance services to Veterans Choice Services LLC. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract, valued at $2,095,205. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', indicating a specific reason for excluding other vendors. 4. The service falls under Landscaping Services (NAICS 561730).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2,095,205 for 325 days suggests a significant investment in grounds maintenance. Benchmarking against similar landscaping contracts would be necessary to assess if this pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' implies that while the competition was intended to be open, specific criteria or circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders. This could impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for grounds maintenance services. The specific competition method warrants scrutiny to ensure the best value was obtained.

Public Impact

Ensures upkeep of VA facilities, contributing to a safe and presentable environment for veterans. Supports a private sector company, Veterans Choice Services LLC, through a government contract. The specific exclusion of sources in the competition process may limit broader economic benefits to other landscaping businesses. Funds allocated could potentially be used for other veteran services if cost efficiencies were found.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition method raises questions about price optimization.
Exclusion of sources needs clear justification to ensure fairness and value.
Contract duration and value require monitoring for performance and cost-effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a specific vendor for essential grounds maintenance.
Clear period of performance defined for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically landscaping. Spending benchmarks for grounds maintenance can vary widely based on facility size, location, and service intensity.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if Veterans Choice Services LLC is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure Veterans Choice Services LLC meets the terms of the contract, including service quality and adherence to the specified grounds maintenance standards. The VA's contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance.

Related Government Programs

Landscaping Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Justification for excluding sources needs to be robust.
Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs.
Performance monitoring is critical to ensure service quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.1 million to VETERANS CHOICE SERVICES LLC. FSNC (894) GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES. CONTRACT NUMBER: 36C78624D50131 POP: 04/7/25 - 02/28/26

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETERANS CHOICE SERVICES 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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-09. End: 2026-02-28.

What specific criteria led to the exclusion of sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' scenario, and how did this impact the final contract price?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific technical capabilities, past performance, or unique requirements are met by only a limited number of vendors. This can be due to specialized equipment, proprietary processes, or geographic limitations. While intended to ensure the best fit, it can reduce competitive pressure, potentially leading to a higher price than if a broader competition were feasible. A thorough justification is required to validate the necessity of such exclusions.

How does the per-unit cost of this grounds maintenance contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar VA facilities or government installations of comparable size and scope?

Without specific details on the scope of services (e.g., mowing frequency, landscaping complexity, pest control, snow removal), a precise per-unit cost benchmark is difficult. However, the total value of $2.1 million over approximately 10 months suggests a substantial operational cost. Comparing this to publicly available data for similar landscaping contracts, adjusted for regional labor costs and service levels, would reveal if the VA is receiving competitive pricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this grounds maintenance contract, and how will the VA measure the effectiveness of Veterans Choice Services LLC's performance?

Effective oversight requires clearly defined KPIs such as response times for reported issues, quality of landscaping (e.g., turf health, weed control, pruning standards), adherence to safety protocols, and timely completion of scheduled tasks. The VA will likely use site inspections, performance reports submitted by the contractor, and feedback from facility users to measure effectiveness and ensure contract compliance.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 36C78624R50056

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3804 W ASHTON DR, ANTHEM, AZ, 85086

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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: $2,095,205

Exercised Options: $2,095,205

Current Obligation: $2,095,205

Actual Outlays: $2,095,205

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C78624D50131

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline