VA awards $343K contract for grave liners to Pensacola Vault Company, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,325 ($34.3K)

Contractor: Pensacola Vault Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-12-04

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 300 days

Daily Burn Rate: $114/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SED-828 - SUPPLY CONCRETE GRAVE LINERS AND LIDS AT BARRANCAS NATIONAL CEMETERY | POP: 12-04-2025 TO 09-30-2026 | PENSACOLA VAULT COMPANY INC

Place of Performance

Location: PENSACOLA, ESCAMBIA County, FLORIDA, 32508

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $34,324.5 to PENSACOLA VAULT COMPANY, INC. for work described as: SED-828 - SUPPLY CONCRETE GRAVE LINERS AND LIDS AT BARRANCAS NATIONAL CEMETERY | POP: 12-04-2025 TO 09-30-2026 | PENSACOLA VAULT COMPANY INC Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential cemetery supplies, ensuring dignified interments. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost savings through competition. 3. Limited competition may impact price discovery and taxpayer value. 4. Contract duration of approximately one year aligns with typical supply needs. 5. Geographic focus on Barrancas National Cemetery in Florida. 6. No small business set-aside noted, impacting small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $343,245 for concrete grave liners and lids appears reasonable for the specified period and location. However, without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark against market rates or determine if the most advantageous pricing was secured for the government. The fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty but does not inherently guarantee value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. This means only one vendor, Pensacola Vault Company, Inc., was solicited. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative suppliers and potentially negotiate better terms or pricing. It suggests circumstances may have precluded a broader solicitation process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to competitively bid contracts, as the government may not benefit from the price reductions that competition typically drives.

Public Impact

Families of deceased veterans interred at Barrancas National Cemetery will receive the necessary grave liners and lids. Ensures the proper and dignified burial process for service members and veterans. Supports the operational needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Florida cemetery. Maintains the infrastructure and services provided by national cemeteries.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in a higher price than could be achieved through a competitive process.
Sole-source awards can set a precedent for future procurements if not carefully managed.
Limited transparency into the justification for not competing the award.

Positive Signals

Ensures a critical supply is met for a national cemetery.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the awarded amount.
Contract is with a specific company, potentially indicating a long-standing relationship or specialized capability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the 'Other Concrete Product Manufacturing' sector, specifically related to construction materials for infrastructure. While not a large-scale construction project, it addresses a niche but essential need within the cemetery services industry. Comparable spending benchmarks for such specialized cemetery supplies are not readily available, but the value appears aligned with the scope of providing liners and lids for a single national cemetery over a defined period.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the nature of the product. The award to Pensacola Vault Company, Inc. (a single entity) suggests that small business participation was not a primary consideration in this specific procurement action. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this is a pattern for similar procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracting officers and program managers responsible for national cemeteries. Accountability is maintained through the terms of the purchase order and the delivery of specified goods. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with the justification for this approach not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

National Cemetery Administration Operations
Cemetery Maintenance and Services
Funeral and Burial Services
Construction Materials Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $34,324.5 to PENSACOLA VAULT COMPANY, INC.. SED-828 - SUPPLY CONCRETE GRAVE LINERS AND LIDS AT BARRANCAS NATIONAL CEMETERY | POP: 12-04-2025 TO 09-30-2026 | PENSACOLA VAULT COMPANY INC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PENSACOLA VAULT COMPANY, INC..

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 $34,324.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-04. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Pensacola Vault Company, Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Information regarding Pensacola Vault Company, Inc.'s specific track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this contract, even on a sole-source basis, suggests a prior relationship or a perceived capability to meet the VA's needs. To fully assess their track record, one would need to review past performance evaluations, any previous contracts awarded to them by the VA, and their history of meeting delivery schedules and quality standards. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and past performance beyond the current award.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar procurements for grave liners?

Direct comparison of pricing for this contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and the limited public data available on specific grave liner costs. Typically, competitive bidding allows for price discovery and benchmarking against multiple offers. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if the $343,245 awarded to Pensacola Vault Company, Inc. represents the best value or if a lower price could have been achieved. To conduct a thorough comparison, one would need access to historical pricing data for similar grave liners procured by the VA or other federal agencies, ideally through competitive solicitations, and consider factors like material specifications, quantity, and delivery terms.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source award include potential overpayment due to the absence of competitive pressure, which could lead to suboptimal value for taxpayer dollars. There's also a risk of reduced innovation or service improvement, as the contractor may have less incentive to offer enhanced solutions without competition. Furthermore, the lack of a competitive process limits transparency and makes it harder to justify the procurement decision to stakeholders. Finally, if Pensacola Vault Company, Inc. were to experience performance issues, the government's options for recourse or finding an alternative supplier quickly would be limited due to the sole-source designation.

How effective is the Department of Veterans Affairs in securing value for money in cemetery supply contracts?

The effectiveness of the VA in securing value for money in cemetery supply contracts can vary significantly depending on the procurement strategy. For routine supplies like grave liners, competitive bidding generally yields better value. Sole-source awards, like this one, inherently reduce the potential for achieving the best possible price. The VA's overall effectiveness would be better assessed by analyzing a broader portfolio of their contracts, looking at the proportion awarded competitively versus sole-source, and examining performance metrics and cost savings achieved across different categories of supplies and services. This single contract does not provide enough data to make a broad judgment.

What are the historical spending patterns for grave liners at Barrancas National Cemetery?

Historical spending patterns for grave liners specifically at Barrancas National Cemetery are not detailed in the provided data. This contract, valued at $343,245 for a period of approximately one year (December 4, 2025, to September 30, 2026), represents the current planned expenditure. To understand historical patterns, one would need to access procurement records for previous years at this specific cemetery, identifying the vendors used, contract values, and whether those awards were competitive or sole-source. This would reveal trends in spending volume, price fluctuations, and the prevalence of non-competitive awards over time.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MISCELLANEOUS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7433 PINE FOREST RD, PENSACOLA, FL, 32526

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,325

Exercised Options: $34,325

Current Obligation: $34,325

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline