VA awards $10.36M for Fort Snelling grave vaults, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,360 ($10.4K)

Contractor: Atlas Crypt and MFG. CO.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2027-04-06

Contract Duration: 358 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FORT SNELLING GRAVE VAULTS SUPPLY OPTION YEAR 1 TASK ORDER POP: 04-13-2026 THROUGH 04-06-2027

Place of Performance

Location: MINNEAPOLIS, HENNEPIN County, MINNESOTA, 55450

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $10,360 to ATLAS CRYPT AND MFG. CO. for work described as: FORT SNELLING GRAVE VAULTS SUPPLY OPTION YEAR 1 TASK ORDER POP: 04-13-2026 THROUGH 04-06-2027 Key points: 1. Spending is for grave vaults at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Risk of overpayment due to lack of competition. 4. Sector is Other Concrete Product Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value is $10.36 million for a one-year period. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is fair market value compared to similar contracts for grave vaults.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The sole-source award means there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, potentially leading to a higher price than if competition had been sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying for grave vaults due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Ensures necessary supplies for veteran burials at Fort Snelling. Potential for increased costs for taxpayers. Lack of transparency in the procurement process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

No competition
Potential for overpricing
Lack of transparency

Positive Signals

Fulfills essential need for veteran services

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Concrete Product Manufacturing' sector includes a wide range of concrete goods. Without specific benchmarks for grave vaults, it's hard to gauge if $10.36 million for a year's supply is typical, but the lack of competition is a primary concern.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were considered or involved in this procurement. The contract was awarded to ATLAS CRYPT AND MFG. CO. without competition.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded this contract. Oversight is needed to ensure the necessity and fair pricing of this sole-source award, especially given the significant dollar amount.

Related Government Programs

Other Concrete Product Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $10,360 to ATLAS CRYPT AND MFG. CO.. FORT SNELLING GRAVE VAULTS SUPPLY OPTION YEAR 1 TASK ORDER POP: 04-13-2026 THROUGH 04-06-2027

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATLAS CRYPT AND MFG. CO..

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 $10,360.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2027-04-06.

What is the justification for not competing this contract?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. A detailed justification for this sole-source award is required to understand why competitive procedures were bypassed. This could be due to urgency, a unique capability, or other factors, but without further information, it remains a point of concern regarding potential value for taxpayer money.

What is the risk of overpayment given the sole-source nature?

The primary risk of overpayment stems directly from the lack of competition. When a contract is awarded without soliciting bids from multiple vendors, the government loses the leverage that competition provides to secure the best possible price. This can lead to the agency paying more than necessary for goods or services, impacting overall budget efficiency.

How does this spending align with the VA's mission effectiveness?

While ensuring the availability of grave vaults is essential for fulfilling the VA's mission of honoring veterans, the method of procurement impacts effectiveness. Spending taxpayer funds efficiently is also a key aspect of mission effectiveness. A non-competed contract, especially for a substantial amount, raises questions about whether resources are being utilized in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Cement and Concrete Product Manufacturing › Other Concrete Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 401 SYCAMORE ST, LA CRESCENT, MN, 55947

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,360

Exercised Options: $10,360

Current Obligation: $10,360

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C78625D0079

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline