VA awards $450K for bronze memorial plaques, with MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,508,064 ($4.5M)

Contractor: Matthews International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 182 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BRONZE MEMORIAL PLAQUES

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15226

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4.5 million to MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: BRONZE MEMORIAL PLAQUES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized memorial items. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment introduces some cost fluctuation risk. 4. Contract duration is relatively short, indicating a focused need. 5. The award falls within the 'Other Nonferrous Metal Foundries' sector. 6. Geographic focus on Pennsylvania for delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $450,000 for bronze memorial plaques seems within a reasonable range for custom, specialized items. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for commemorative items suggests this pricing is competitive. The fixed-price nature, with an economic price adjustment, offers some predictability while allowing for material cost fluctuations. The contract's duration of 182 days (approximately 6 months) aligns with the typical production and installation timeline for such specialized products.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of suppliers to participate. The open competition suggests that the market for bronze memorial plaques is sufficiently robust to support multiple qualified providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which is expected to drive down costs and ensure fair market value for the memorial plaques.

Public Impact

Veterans and their families will benefit from the creation of dignified memorial spaces. Services delivered include the fabrication and potential installation of bronze memorial plaques. The geographic impact is primarily focused on Pennsylvania, where the plaques will be delivered. Workforce implications are likely within the specialized manufacturing and metalworking sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Economic price adjustment clause could lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if material prices rise significantly.
Lack of specific detail on the number of bidders limits a deeper assessment of competitive intensity.
Potential for delays if production or delivery faces unforeseen challenges within the short timeframe.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market.
Fixed-price contract structure provides a degree of cost certainty.
Contract is for a specific, well-defined product (memorial plaques).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Nonferrous Metal Foundries' sector, specifically focusing on the production of bronze memorial plaques. This is a niche manufacturing area often characterized by specialized craftsmanship and materials. The market size for such items is driven by demand from government agencies, historical societies, and memorial organizations. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the custom nature of memorial plaques, but this award of $450,000 is a moderate sum for such specialized fabrication.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, is likely a larger entity capable of fulfilling this specialized manufacturing requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract structure, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs - Memorial Affairs
Federal Procurement Data System - Awards
Commemorative and Memorial Item Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to economic price adjustment.
Limited information on the number of bidders in the competitive process.
Dependence on a specialized manufacturing sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4.5 million to MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. BRONZE MEMORIAL PLAQUES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

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 $4.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Veterans Affairs on memorial plaques or similar commemorative items?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on memorial plaques and similar commemorative items requires access to extensive procurement data over several fiscal years. While this specific contract is for $450,000, a broader review would involve identifying all contracts categorized under relevant Product Service Codes (PSCs) or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes related to metal fabrication, monuments, and memorials. This would reveal trends in contract values, award volumes, and the types of contractors the VA has historically engaged. For instance, examining past awards could indicate whether the VA typically uses full and open competition for these items, if certain contractors have a dominant market share, or if spending fluctuates significantly based on specific memorial projects or facility upgrades. Without access to a comprehensive historical database, it is challenging to provide precise figures, but such an analysis would be crucial for understanding the context of this current award and identifying potential cost savings or efficiencies in future procurements.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to other similar government awards for bronze memorial plaques?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $450,000 contract for bronze memorial plaques requires access to a database of similar government awards, including details on plaque size, complexity, material thickness, and any associated installation services. Assuming this contract covers a significant number of plaques or large, custom-designed pieces, the price point may be reasonable. However, without specific details on the quantity and specifications of the plaques, a precise benchmark is difficult. Generally, government contracts for specialized items like bronze plaques are subject to competitive bidding, which helps ensure fair market value. If this award resulted from full and open competition with multiple bids, it suggests the price is aligned with market rates. Further analysis would involve examining the unit cost per plaque, if discernible, and comparing it to publicly available contract data for similar items awarded by other federal agencies or even state and local governments.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' contract type for this procurement?

The 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FP-EPA) contract type introduces specific risks for both the government and the contractor, particularly concerning cost fluctuations. For the government, the primary risk is that the final cost could exceed the initially estimated fixed price if the economic price adjustment clause is triggered by significant increases in the cost of raw materials (like bronze) or labor. While the contract aims to provide a baseline price, the adjustment mechanism means the total expenditure is not entirely fixed. For MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, the risk lies in accurately forecasting material and labor costs over the contract period and managing the administrative burden of documenting and justifying price adjustments. The effectiveness of the economic price adjustment formula in reflecting true market changes is also a point of consideration. This type of contract is often used when there is a significant risk of material cost escalation over the performance period, aiming to balance risk and ensure the contractor can maintain profitability without excessively inflating the initial bid price.

What is the track record of MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for similar memorial items?

Assessing the track record of MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION in fulfilling government contracts requires a thorough review of their past performance data within federal procurement systems, such as the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). This would involve searching for previous awards to the company, examining the types of goods and services provided, the contract values, and crucially, their past performance ratings. Positive ratings in CPARS would indicate timely delivery, adherence to quality standards, and effective communication. Conversely, negative ratings or contract terminations would raise concerns. For this specific contract involving bronze memorial plaques, it would be particularly relevant to see if they have a history of successfully delivering similar specialized metalwork or commemorative items to the Department of Veterans Affairs or other government agencies. A strong history of successful performance on comparable contracts would increase confidence in their ability to meet the requirements of this award.

How does the 'Other Nonferrous Metal Foundries' classification impact the understanding of this contract's scope and potential competition?

The classification of 'Other Nonferrous Metal Foundries (except Die-Casting)' (NAICS code 331529) provides crucial context for this contract. It indicates that the primary manufacturing process involves working with nonferrous metals like bronze, but excludes die-casting operations. This suggests the contract is for items likely produced through casting, machining, or fabrication methods suitable for creating detailed memorial plaques. This specific classification helps narrow down the pool of potential competitors to companies with expertise in these particular metalworking techniques. While 'full and open competition' was utilized, understanding this NAICS code implies that bidders would need specialized capabilities beyond general metal fabrication. It also suggests that the market for such specialized foundries might be more limited than for broader manufacturing categories, potentially influencing the number of bids received and the overall competitive landscape for these unique products.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Foundries › Other Nonferrous Metal Foundries (except Die-Casting)

Product/Service Code: MISCELLANEOUS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1315 W LIBERTY AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15226

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,508,064

Exercised Options: $4,508,064

Current Obligation: $4,508,064

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C78622D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline