VA awards $126,440 for 30-day sod installation task order to Innovative Federal Operations Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,644 ($12.6K)

Contractor: Innovative Federal Operations Group, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $421/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR IDIQ SOD CONTRACT-36C78624D50193 CONTRACT TO FURNISH, DELIVER & INSTALL SOD POP DATES 1-31 MAY 2026

Place of Performance

Location: CARLSBAD, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92011

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $12,644 to INNOVATIVE FEDERAL OPERATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR IDIQ SOD CONTRACT-36C78624D50193 CONTRACT TO FURNISH, DELIVER & INSTALL SOD POP DATES 1-31 MAY 2026 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a short-duration, high-value task order focused on landscaping services. 2. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The task order is for a specific 30-day period in May 2026. 5. The geographic focus is California, indicating a localized service requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $126,440 for a 30-day period appears high for landscaping services, averaging over $4,200 per day. Benchmarking against similar landscaping contracts for government facilities would be necessary to determine if this represents good value. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the daily rate warrants scrutiny.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $4,215 per day. This figure should be benchmarked against market rates for similar landscaping services in California, considering the scope of work.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and less formal solicitation processes compared to full and open competition. While this can expedite procurement, it may limit the pool of potential offerors and potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP can lead to faster award but may not always secure the lowest possible price for taxpayers compared to broader competition.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits from the landscaping services, likely to improve the aesthetics and grounds maintenance of a facility. The service delivered is the furnishing, delivery, and installation of sod. The geographic impact is localized to California. Workforce implications are likely for the contractor, Innovative Federal Operations Group, Inc., which will need to deploy personnel for the 30-day period.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High daily cost for a short-term service.
Limited competition due to SAP procedures.
Short duration may indicate a specific, urgent need rather than ongoing maintenance.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract helps manage cost certainty.
Clear task order for a defined period.
Awarded to a specific contractor for a defined service.

Sector Analysis

The landscaping services sector involves companies that provide grounds maintenance, horticultural services, and related outdoor upkeep. This contract falls under the broader facilities support services category. Government spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain public spaces and federal facilities, with contracts ranging from routine mowing to specialized landscape design and installation.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Innovative Federal Operations Group, Inc., is likely a larger entity or the competition under SAP did not yield a small business award. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements, but for a 30-day task order, significant subcontracting is less probable.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. As a task order under an IDIQ (implied by the contract number structure), the overarching IDIQ contract likely has its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, but detailed performance monitoring specifics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for Facilities Maintenance and Management
Department of Defense Grounds Maintenance Contracts
National Park Service Landscaping and Horticultural Services

Risk Flags

Potential for overpricing given the high daily rate for a short duration.
Limited competition due to SAP procedures may affect price discovery.
Short duration requires rapid mobilization and execution, increasing execution risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $12,644 to INNOVATIVE FEDERAL OPERATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED. TASK ORDER FOR IDIQ SOD CONTRACT-36C78624D50193 CONTRACT TO FURNISH, DELIVER & INSTALL SOD POP DATES 1-31 MAY 2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVATIVE FEDERAL OPERATIONS GROUP, INCORPORATED.

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 $12,644.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the typical cost range for similar sod installation projects for government facilities in California?

Determining the typical cost range for similar sod installation projects requires detailed scope of work, acreage, type of sod, and site preparation requirements. However, a daily rate of over $4,200 for landscaping services, as implied by this $126,440 contract over 30 days, suggests a potentially high cost. Government contracts for landscaping can vary widely; for instance, routine maintenance contracts might be priced per acre or per month, while installation projects are often bid based on materials, labor, and site-specific conditions. Without more specifics on the project's scale and complexity, direct comparison is difficult, but the daily expenditure warrants further investigation into the value proposition.

What is the track record of Innovative Federal Operations Group, Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Innovative Federal Operations Group, Inc. has received federal contracts, including from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A review of contract databases indicates prior awards to this entity. To assess their track record specifically with the VA, one would need to examine the performance history, types of services rendered, contract values, and any reported issues or successes on previous VA engagements. This particular task order is for a short duration, suggesting it might be a new or specific requirement. A deeper dive into their past performance ratings and any contract modifications or disputes would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness with the VA.

How does the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) competition level impact pricing for this contract?

Competing under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) typically involves a less extensive outreach and solicitation process than full and open competition. This can mean fewer potential bidders are aware of or choose to bid on the requirement. While SAP is designed for efficiency in acquiring goods and services below certain thresholds, it can potentially lead to less aggressive pricing from contractors compared to a scenario where a larger, more diverse pool of competitors is vying for the contract. The government relies on market research and solicitation strategies within SAP to encourage adequate competition, but the inherent nature of SAP may limit the downward pressure on prices that broader competition can exert.

What are the risks associated with a short-duration, high-value task order for landscaping services?

A primary risk with a short-duration, high-value task order like this is ensuring that the price accurately reflects the work required and that the contractor can mobilize effectively within the tight timeframe. The high daily rate ($4,215) could indicate either a complex, intensive scope of work or potential overpricing for the services rendered. There's also a risk that the urgency or specific nature of the requirement, necessitating a short-term award, might mean less time for thorough vetting of the contractor's capabilities or for robust price negotiation. Ensuring the quality of work and timely completion within the 30-day window are critical success factors.

What is the historical spending pattern for landscaping services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on landscaping services is substantial, reflecting the agency's numerous facilities nationwide requiring grounds maintenance and upkeep. The VA utilizes various contract vehicles, including IDIQs and task orders, to procure these services. Annual spending can fluctuate based on facility needs, capital improvement projects, and budget allocations. While specific aggregate figures for landscaping services are not readily available without detailed analysis of federal procurement data, it is understood that the VA consistently invests in maintaining its campuses. This particular task order represents a small fraction of the VA's overall facilities management budget.

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: 36C78624Q50087

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1959 PALOMAR OAKS WAY, CARLSBAD, CA, 92011

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: $12,644

Exercised Options: $12,644

Current Obligation: $12,644

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C78624D50193

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline