NIH Awards $619K for Fire Suppression System Maintenance to Systems Northwest, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $61,942 ($61.9K)

Contractor: Systems Northwest, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-04-14

End Date: 2023-04-30

Contract Duration: 381 days

Daily Burn Rate: $163/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: SERVICES NON-PERSONAL; THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL ITEMS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, TESTING, MAINTENANCE & REPAIR OF THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS AT THE NIH/RML CAMPUS, HAMILTON, MT FOR OPTION YEAR 4 (1 MAY 2022 - 30 APRIL 2

Place of Performance

Location: HAMILTON, RAVALLI County, MONTANA, 59840

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $61,941.9 to SYSTEMS NORTHWEST, LLC for work described as: SERVICES NON-PERSONAL; THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL ITEMS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, TESTING, MAINTENANCE & REPAIR OF THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS AT THE NIH/RML CAMPUS, HAMILTON, MT FOR OPTION YEAR 4 (1 MAY 2022 - 30 APRIL 2 Key points: 1. Contract value of $619,411.90 for annual inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair of fire suppression systems. 2. Services are for the NIH/RML Campus in Hamilton, MT, covering Option Year 4. 3. The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. This contract falls under the Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $619,411.90 for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized fire suppression system maintenance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for facility maintenance and specialized system upkeep would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a competitive process was used. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value is obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process suggests that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently for essential facility maintenance services.

Public Impact

Ensures the safety and operational readiness of critical fire suppression systems at a major research facility. Supports the continued functioning of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Rocky Mountain Laboratories. Provides essential maintenance services that prevent costly failures and potential safety hazards. Contributes to the local economy in Hamilton, Montana, through service provision.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future option years.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical safety systems.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process.
Clear scope of work for essential services.
Option year structure allows for flexibility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (NAICS 238210) sector. Spending in this sector is driven by infrastructure needs, facility maintenance, and construction projects across government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health), suggesting standard federal procurement oversight. The use of a delivery order under a larger contract framework implies established procedures.

Related Government Programs

Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown for benchmarking.
Potential for vendor lock-in if future contracts are not re-competed.
No indication of small business participation.
Limited information on contractor's past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $61,941.9 to SYSTEMS NORTHWEST, LLC. SERVICES NON-PERSONAL; THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL ITEMS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, TESTING, MAINTENANCE & REPAIR OF THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS AT THE NIH/RML CAMPUS, HAMILTON, MT FOR OPTION YEAR 4 (1 MAY 2022 - 30 APRIL 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SYSTEMS NORTHWEST, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $61,941.9.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-14. End: 2023-04-30.

What is the historical performance of Systems Northwest, LLC on similar government contracts?

Information on Systems Northwest, LLC's historical performance on similar government contracts is not provided in the data. A review of past performance records, past performance questionnaires, and any debriefing information from previous solicitations would be necessary to assess their track record. This would help determine their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms.

Are there any potential risks associated with the long-term maintenance of fire suppression systems by a single vendor?

While this contract is for one option year, long-term reliance on a single vendor for critical safety systems like fire suppression can pose risks. These include potential complacency, reduced incentive to innovate or offer competitive pricing in the future, and vulnerability if the contractor experiences financial difficulties or operational issues. Periodic re-competition is advisable.

How does the cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar services?

The provided data does not include specific cost breakdowns or metrics to directly compare against industry benchmarks for fire suppression system maintenance. A detailed analysis would require comparing the per-unit costs for specific services (e.g., inspection, testing, repair of specific system types) against market rates and other government contracts for similar work in the region.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2241 US HWY 2 EAST, KALISPELL, MT, 59901

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $61,942

Exercised Options: $61,942

Current Obligation: $61,942

Actual Outlays: $61,942

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N99018D00013

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline