Breathing Air Unit Maintenance Contract Awarded to Standard Calibrations Inc. for $29,996.05

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,996 ($30.0K)

Contractor: Standard Calibrations Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-02-16

End Date: 2026-02-15

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $82/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BASE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FUNDING FOR BREATHING AIR UNIT MAINTENANCE CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA BEACH CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23462

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $29,996.05 to STANDARD CALIBRATIONS INC for work described as: BASE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FUNDING FOR BREATHING AIR UNIT MAINTENANCE CONTRACT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential maintenance for breathing apparatus, critical for safety operations. 2. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, providing cost certainty for the government. 4. Performance period is one year, indicating a need for ongoing, routine service. 5. The U.S. Coast Guard is the end-user, highlighting the operational importance of the equipment. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, which is common for SAP procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $29,996.05 for one year of maintenance appears reasonable for specialized equipment repair. Benchmarking against similar contracts for electronic and precision equipment maintenance suggests this price is within expected ranges, especially considering the fixed-price nature which shifts risk to the contractor. The specific nature of breathing apparatus maintenance may command a premium due to safety and certification requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP aims to streamline the acquisition process for purchases below the threshold for full and open competition, balancing efficiency with reasonable competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests that the government sought to expedite the procurement process for this relatively small-value contract, potentially leading to faster service delivery. However, it may limit the potential for achieving the lowest possible price through broader market engagement.

Public Impact

Ensures the operational readiness of U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. Supports the safety of Coast Guard personnel by maintaining critical breathing apparatus. Maintains essential life-support equipment used in hazardous maritime environments. Contributes to the overall effectiveness of Coast Guard search and rescue and law enforcement missions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition under SAP may not yield the absolute lowest price.
Reliance on a single contractor for a year could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Lack of specific details on maintenance scope could lead to unforeseen costs or service gaps.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty.
One-year term allows for reassessment of needs and contractor performance.
Maintenance of critical safety equipment directly supports personnel well-being and mission success.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance sector (NAICS 811210). This sector encompasses a wide range of services for electronic and precision instruments. Spending in this area is consistent across government agencies requiring specialized maintenance for operational equipment. The value of this specific contract is modest, typical for maintenance delivery orders under SAP.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements. Given the procurement was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), it is common for such awards to not include specific small business set-aside provisions, though small businesses are generally encouraged to participate in SAP procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting office responsible for the award. As a delivery order under a larger framework (implied by 'delivery order'), the contracting officer's representative (COR) would monitor performance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports are not publicly detailed for individual SAP awards.

Related Government Programs

Breathing Apparatus Maintenance
Safety Equipment Servicing
U.S. Coast Guard Equipment Support
Department of Homeland Security Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition potential under SAP
Contractor performance risk
Scope definition clarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $29,996.05 to STANDARD CALIBRATIONS INC. BASE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FUNDING FOR BREATHING AIR UNIT MAINTENANCE CONTRACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STANDARD CALIBRATIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29,996.05.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-16. End: 2026-02-15.

What is the specific scope of work covered by the breathing air unit maintenance contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'BREATHING AIR UNIT MAINTENANCE CONTRACT.' While the specific tasks are not detailed, this typically includes routine inspections, calibration, repair of components, replacement of worn parts, and functional testing to ensure the breathing air units meet operational and safety standards. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price (FFP), suggesting the scope is well-defined to prevent cost overruns. The end date of February 15, 2026, and a duration of 364 days confirm a one-year service period. Further details on the exact maintenance procedures, required certifications, and response times would be found in the contract's statement of work (SOW).

How does the $29,996.05 contract value compare to similar maintenance services for safety equipment?

The contract value of $29,996.05 for one year of maintenance is relatively modest. Benchmarking requires comparing it to contracts for similar specialized safety equipment, such as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or other personal protective equipment (PPE) maintenance. Given it's for breathing air units, which are critical for personnel safety in potentially hazardous environments (like maritime operations for the Coast Guard), the price appears reasonable. Factors influencing this price include the complexity of the equipment, required certifications for technicians, frequency of service, and geographic location of service. Without specific details on the number of units or service level agreements, a precise comparison is difficult, but it falls within typical ranges for specialized equipment maintenance under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

What are the potential risks associated with this contract for the U.S. Coast Guard?

Potential risks include contractor performance issues, where Standard Calibrations Inc. might fail to meet service level agreements, leading to equipment downtime and impacting operational readiness. Given the contract was competed under SAP, the competition may have been limited, potentially resulting in less favorable pricing or fewer qualified bidders than a full and open competition. Another risk is the reliance on a single vendor for a year; if the contractor faces financial difficulties or operational challenges, it could disrupt service. Finally, the fixed-price nature, while providing cost certainty, could incentivize the contractor to minimize service efforts if the scope is not tightly defined, potentially impacting the thoroughness of maintenance.

What is the track record of Standard Calibrations Inc. in performing government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Standard Calibrations Inc. in performing government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), contract history with federal agencies, and any past issues or commendations. Without this external data, it's difficult to ascertain their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms on previous government engagements. However, their selection for this contract by the U.S. Coast Guard suggests they met the agency's initial vetting criteria.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for equipment maintenance within the Department of Homeland Security?

This contract represents a small component of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) overall spending on equipment maintenance. DHS, encompassing agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard, relies heavily on a vast array of operational equipment, from vessels and aircraft to communication systems and safety gear. Maintenance contracts are essential for ensuring the readiness and longevity of these assets. Spending on maintenance is typically distributed across various service providers and contract vehicles, often utilizing different acquisition strategies like SAP for smaller needs and larger, competitively awarded contracts for major systems. This $30,000 contract is a routine, localized maintenance requirement, indicative of the ongoing, granular support needed across DHS.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 501 RESOURCE ROW, CHESAPEAKE, VA, 23320

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,996

Exercised Options: $29,996

Current Obligation: $29,996

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z03824DK0000003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline