VA awards $2.48M fire alarm contract to Veterans Fire and Life Safety Corporation for 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,477,491 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Veterans Fire and Life Safety Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-03-10

End Date: 2027-03-09

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FIRE ALARM PM

Place of Performance

Location: WEST HAVEN, NEW HAVEN County, CONNECTICUT, 06516

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.5 million to VETERANS FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CORPORATION for work described as: FIRE ALARM PM Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the 5-year duration and scope of fire alarm system maintenance. 2. Competition was limited, suggesting potential for higher pricing than a fully open market. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. Performance period spans five years, indicating a need for ongoing, reliable service. 5. The contractor, Veterans Fire and Life Safety Corporation, specializes in fire safety services. 6. This contract falls within the Security Systems Services sector, excluding locksmiths.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.48 million over five years, averaging around $495,000 annually, seems within a reasonable range for comprehensive fire alarm system maintenance and services for a federal agency. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services and the number of facilities covered. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government.

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 bids received isn't detailed, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests a streamlined process likely involving a pre-selected list or fewer than the maximum allowable bidders for larger procurements. This approach aims for efficiency but may not always yield the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP can mean taxpayers may not benefit from the lowest possible price achievable through broader market engagement. However, it can also lead to faster contract awards for essential services.

Public Impact

Federal facilities managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs will benefit from enhanced fire safety. The contract ensures the maintenance and potentially upgrade of critical fire alarm systems. Services are likely to be delivered across facilities within Connecticut, where the contractor is based. The contract supports specialized jobs in the fire safety and security systems industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price escalation if market rates for specialized technicians increase significantly over the 5-year term.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical life safety systems requires robust performance monitoring.
Limited competition may have resulted in a price higher than what could be achieved in a fully open market.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price award shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Contractor specializes in fire and life safety, suggesting relevant expertise.
Awarding to a company with 'Veterans' in its name may align with federal hiring initiatives.

Sector Analysis

The security systems services sector, particularly for alarm systems, is a critical component of facility management and safety. This contract fits within the broader market for electronic and physical security solutions, which is projected to grow steadily. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need to protect government assets and personnel. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the scale and complexity of the fire alarm systems managed.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' and the 'sb' (small business) flag is false. This suggests it was not specifically set aside for small businesses. While the prime contractor's size is not explicitly stated, the lack of a small business set-aside designation means opportunities for small business subcontractors are not guaranteed by the contract terms, though they may still arise.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and agency-specific oversight protocols. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fire Protection Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities Management
Security Systems Maintenance Contracts
Life Safety Systems Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Risk
Performance Monitoring Requirement
Potential for Price Escalation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.5 million to VETERANS FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CORPORATION. FIRE ALARM PM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETERANS FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CORPORATION.

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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-10. End: 2027-03-09.

What is the specific scope of services included in this fire alarm maintenance contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 561621 (Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)) and is for 'FIRE ALARM PM'. This strongly suggests the scope includes preventative maintenance (PM) for fire alarm systems. However, the exact details of the services are not specified in the abbreviated data. This could encompass routine inspections, testing of components (smoke detectors, pull stations, control panels), battery replacements, software updates, and emergency repair services. The full contract statement of work (SOW) would detail the specific tasks, frequency of maintenance, response times for emergencies, and any required reporting.

How does the $2.48 million contract value compare to similar fire alarm maintenance contracts for federal agencies?

Direct comparison of the $2.48 million contract value is difficult without knowing the specific size and number of facilities managed by the VA in Connecticut, the complexity of the fire alarm systems, and the exact service level requirements. However, for a 5-year contract (1825 days duration), this averages approximately $495,000 per year. This figure appears reasonable for maintaining fire alarm systems across multiple buildings or a large single facility. Larger, more complex contracts for nationwide or multi-agency systems can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Smaller, single-building contracts would be significantly less. The firm-fixed-price nature also implies the government has a predictable cost.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for a fire alarm maintenance contract, typical SLAs would likely include metrics such as: response time for emergency service calls (e.g., within 4 hours), preventative maintenance completion rates (e.g., 100% of scheduled PMs completed on time), system uptime requirements, and accuracy of reporting. KPIs might focus on the contractor's adherence to schedules, the effectiveness of maintenance in preventing false alarms or system failures, and overall customer satisfaction from the VA facilities being serviced.

What is the track record of Veterans Fire and Life Safety Corporation in performing federal contracts?

The provided data identifies 'VETERANS FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CORPORATION' as the contractor. While the data confirms they were awarded this specific contract, it does not offer details on their past performance history with the federal government or other clients. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would require reviewing their performance evaluations on previous federal contracts (e.g., through the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), their history of contract awards, and any documented issues or commendations. Without this additional information, it's impossible to definitively assess their past performance reliability.

What is the potential risk associated with the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation for this contract?

The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) designation indicates that the contract was procured using a streamlined process, typically for purchases under the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000, though specific agency thresholds can vary, and this contract value exceeds that). When used for larger values, it often implies a limited competition, potentially involving fewer bidders than a full and open solicitation. The primary risk associated with limited competition is that the government may not achieve the best possible price due to a lack of robust market pressure. This could lead to a higher cost for taxpayers compared to what might have been secured through a broader solicitation process. However, SAP can also offer faster award timelines.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24122Q0187

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7 SHERRI LANE, SAINT PETERS, MO, 63376

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,472,891

Exercised Options: $2,477,491

Current Obligation: $2,477,491

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline