DHHS Awards $58K for Water Fountain Installation at Santa Fe IHS
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $58,014 ($58.0K)
Contractor: QA Engineering LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2026-04-13
End Date: 2026-05-31
Contract Duration: 48 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NAME BRAND WATER FOUNTAIN REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION AT SANTA FE INDIAN HEALTH CENTER.
Place of Performance
Location: SANTA FE, SANTA FE County, NEW MEXICO, 87505
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $58,013.67 to QA ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: NAME BRAND WATER FOUNTAIN REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION AT SANTA FE INDIAN HEALTH CENTER. Key points: 1. Spending is modest at $58,013.67 for a specific facility upgrade. 2. QA Engineering LLC secured the contract, indicating a competitive award. 3. The contract duration is short (48 days), suggesting a focused scope. 4. The sector is industrial machinery manufacturing, a common area for facility maintenance.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $58,013.67 appears reasonable for a name-brand water fountain replacement and installation, especially considering potential brand premium and specialized labor. Benchmarking against similar facility maintenance contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process for a relatively small dollar amount. This method aims to achieve fair and reasonable pricing through competition among eligible vendors.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used efficiently for essential facility maintenance, ensuring a functional water source at a health center.
Public Impact
Ensures access to clean drinking water at a critical health facility. Supports the operational readiness of the Santa Fe Indian Health Center. Potential for improved patient and staff well-being through updated facilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for higher costs due to 'name brand' specification.
- Limited duration may not cover long-term maintenance needs.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process.
- Clear scope for facility improvement.
- Supports essential health services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under industrial machinery manufacturing, specifically related to facility equipment. Spending in this area typically involves maintenance, repair, and minor upgrades for government facilities, with benchmarks varying widely based on equipment type and complexity.
Small Business Impact
While the contract was competed under SAP, it's unclear if small businesses were specifically targeted or participated. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement in this procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Indian Health Service, a division of HHS, indicating established oversight for facility maintenance contracts. The use of a Purchase Order suggests a standard procurement process.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Indian Health Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for brand-driven cost inflation.
- Risk of delays due to short installation window.
- Limited scope may not address broader facility needs.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for components and labor.
Tags
all-other-industrial-machinery-manufactu, department-of-health-and-human-services, nm, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $58,013.67 to QA ENGINEERING LLC. NAME BRAND WATER FOUNTAIN REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION AT SANTA FE INDIAN HEALTH CENTER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is QA ENGINEERING LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $58,013.67.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the specific 'name brand' specified, and how does its cost compare to comparable non-branded or alternative brands?
The specific 'name brand' is not detailed in the provided data. However, specifying a particular brand can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to generic or alternative options. A thorough price analysis would compare the chosen brand's cost against similar quality products from other manufacturers to ensure value for money.
What are the potential risks associated with a short contract duration for installation?
A short contract duration of 48 days for installation could pose risks if unforeseen issues arise during the process, such as supply chain delays, installation complexities, or weather disruptions. This could lead to project delays and potentially increased costs if the contractor incurs additional expenses due to these factors.
How does the cost of this fountain installation compare to similar projects at other IHS facilities?
Without data on comparable IHS facility fountain installations, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the $58,013.67 award for a single fountain replacement and installation seems substantial. Benchmarking against projects of similar scope and complexity at other health centers would be necessary to assess its cost-effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Industrial Machinery Manufacturing › All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 75H70726Q00029
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1409 ORTIZ DR SE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87108
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $58,014
Exercised Options: $58,014
Current Obligation: $58,014
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-13
Current End Date: 2026-05-31
Potential End Date: 2026-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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