VA awards $852K for AV modernization, with 4 bidders competing for this firm-fixed-price contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $852,652 ($852.7K)

Contractor: Colossal Contracting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-05-16

End Date: 2027-05-15

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $779/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CAPITAL REGION READINESS CENTER AUDIO VISUAL MODERNIZATION PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: MARTINSBURG, BERKELEY County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25405

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $852,651.8 to COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC for work described as: CAPITAL REGION READINESS CENTER AUDIO VISUAL MODERNIZATION PROJECT Key points: 1. The contract's firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the audiovisual modernization project. 2. With four bidders, the competition level suggests a reasonable market response for these services. 3. The project duration of nearly three years indicates a substantial scope of work. 4. The contract is categorized under 'Other Computer Related Services,' aligning with IT infrastructure upgrades. 5. The award was made by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating a focus on internal facility improvements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $852,651.80 for audiovisual modernization appears reasonable given the nearly three-year duration and the scope of services implied by 'Other Computer Related Services.' Benchmarking against similar IT infrastructure upgrade contracts within the federal government would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests an effort to establish a clear cost ceiling, which is generally favorable for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while competition was sought, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the full and open solicitation. Four bidders participated, suggesting a moderate level of competition. This level of competition is generally sufficient to encourage competitive pricing, but the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation to ensure no potentially better offers were missed.

Taxpayer Impact: The participation of four bidders indicates that taxpayers likely benefited from competitive pricing, although the exclusion of certain sources could have potentially limited the extent of that benefit.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the personnel and visitors at the CAPITAL REGION READINESS CENTER, who will experience improved audiovisual capabilities. The services delivered involve the modernization of audio-visual systems, enhancing communication and presentation functionalities. The geographic impact is concentrated in West Virginia, where the CAPITAL REGION READINESS CENTER is located. Workforce implications may include the need for skilled technicians for installation, maintenance, and potential training on the new systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The exclusion of sources in the competition process could limit overall market engagement and potentially impact price discovery.
Lack of specific details on the modernization scope makes it difficult to fully assess the project's technical risks and potential for cost overruns.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The participation of four bidders suggests a healthy interest in this type of federal contracting opportunity.
The award is made by the Department of Veterans Affairs, an agency with significant experience in managing complex IT and facility projects.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Computer Related Services' category, under which this contract falls, is a broad segment of the IT services market. Federal spending in this area often supports infrastructure upgrades, system maintenance, and specialized IT support. The market for audiovisual modernization is competitive, with numerous firms offering solutions ranging from basic installations to complex integrated systems. This contract represents a specific investment by the VA to update its facilities' technological capabilities.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The award to COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC does not provide details on their size or small business utilization plans. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed project performance data may not be readily available.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Infrastructure Modernization Programs
Department of Veterans Affairs Facility Upgrades
Audio Visual Equipment Procurement
Government Readiness Center Technology Investments

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to broad service category.
Risk of technology obsolescence in audiovisual systems.
Uncertainty regarding the justification for excluding sources in competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $852,651.8 to COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC. CAPITAL REGION READINESS CENTER AUDIO VISUAL MODERNIZATION PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC.

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 $852,651.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-16. End: 2027-05-15.

What is the track record of COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC in performing similar federal contracts, particularly in audiovisual modernization?

Information regarding COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC's specific track record in federal audiovisual modernization projects is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing contract performance databases (like the Federal Procurement Data System - FPDS) to examine past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract modifications or disputes. Understanding their experience with similar firm-fixed-price contracts and projects of comparable scale and complexity would be crucial for assessing their capability and reliability for this specific award.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or budget for this audiovisual modernization project?

The provided data indicates an award amount of $852,651.80. Without access to the government's initial cost estimates, independent government cost estimates (IGCE), or the agency's allocated budget for the CAPITAL REGION READINESS CENTER AUDIO VISUAL MODERNIZATION PROJECT, it is difficult to definitively assess how the awarded amount compares to the expected expenditure. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources with four bidders suggests that the award price is likely competitive and within a reasonable range of what the market could bear for these services.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'Other Computer Related Services' category for this project?

The 'Other Computer Related Services' category is broad and can encompass a wide range of IT-related tasks. For an audiovisual modernization project, potential risks include scope creep if the definition of 'modernization' is not clearly delineated, integration challenges with existing IT infrastructure, cybersecurity vulnerabilities introduced by new systems, and the rapid obsolescence of technology. Ensuring detailed technical specifications, robust testing protocols, and clear acceptance criteria are critical to mitigating these risks. The contractor's experience and the contract type (firm-fixed-price) also play a role in risk management.

What is the historical spending pattern for audiovisual modernization projects within the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for audiovisual modernization within the VA would involve querying federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded over previous fiscal years. This would help establish a baseline for typical project costs, contract durations, and the types of services procured. Understanding this historical context allows for a more informed assessment of the current $852,651.80 award, determining if it aligns with past investments or represents a significant increase or decrease in spending for such initiatives. It can also reveal trends in competition levels and contractor performance.

What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation imply for the fairness and competitiveness of the procurement process?

This designation implies that the solicitation was initially intended for full and open competition, but specific sources were excluded before the final solicitation was issued. This could occur for various reasons, such as pre-qualification requirements, specific technical capabilities needed, or prior performance issues with certain vendors. While it allows for competition among the remaining eligible sources, it raises questions about whether the exclusion process was justified and if it inadvertently limited the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting the breadth of competition and the ultimate price achieved for taxpayers. A thorough review of the justification for exclusion would be necessary for a complete assessment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C10B24Q0008

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 304 HARRY S TRUMAN PKWY STE G, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 21401

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $966,855

Exercised Options: $853,161

Current Obligation: $852,652

Actual Outlays: $830,654

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD72B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline