VA awards $2.38M contract for fire protection upgrades at Newington VAMC, with Watson Engineering, PC selected

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,379,560 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Watson Engineering, PC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-10-15

End Date: 2026-10-01

Contract Duration: 1,082 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A-E SERVICES FOR FIRE PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT THE VAMC NEWINGTON, CT

Place of Performance

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

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.4 million to WATSON ENGINEERING, PC for work described as: A-E SERVICES FOR FIRE PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT THE VAMC NEWINGTON, CT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential fire protection improvements, enhancing safety at a key VA facility. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, providing cost certainty for the government. 4. The project duration spans over 1000 days, indicating a significant scope of work. 5. Engineering services are central to this contract, aligning with the facility's infrastructure needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.38 million for fire protection improvements at a VAMC appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While direct comparisons are difficult without more detailed project specifications, engineering services for facility upgrades of this nature typically fall within a certain cost range. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns. Benchmarking against similar VAMC infrastructure projects would provide a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that it was competed suggests that the VA sought the best value through a competitive process, which typically leads to more favorable pricing and quality outcomes for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of contractors to bid, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of services received.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care at the VA Medical Center in Newington, Connecticut will benefit from enhanced fire safety measures. The contract will deliver critical engineering services for fire protection system upgrades. The geographic impact is localized to the Newington VAMC facility in Connecticut. The contract is expected to support specialized engineering and construction labor within the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen issues arise during the extensive upgrade process.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to manage complex engineering tasks within the fixed-price structure.
Ensuring timely completion within the 1082-day duration to avoid extended disruption.

Positive Signals

Focus on critical life safety systems (fire protection) demonstrates a commitment to facility safety.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for the VA.
Award to a single entity (Watson Engineering, PC) can streamline project management and communication.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to facility infrastructure and safety systems. The market for specialized engineering services supporting federal facilities, particularly for upgrades and maintenance, is substantial. The VA is a significant consumer of such services, often requiring compliance with stringent federal standards. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale facility renovation or upgrade contracts within the federal government, especially those managed by agencies like the GSA or other departments with extensive real estate portfolios.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though larger prime contractors may engage small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though detailed project progress reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

VA Facility Modernization Programs
Federal Fire Safety Mandates
Engineering Services for Government Buildings
Infrastructure Improvement Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contractor performance risk in delivering complex engineering solutions.
Ensuring compliance with all relevant fire safety codes and VA standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.4 million to WATSON ENGINEERING, PC. A-E SERVICES FOR FIRE PROTECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT THE VAMC NEWINGTON, CT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WATSON ENGINEERING, PC.

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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-15. End: 2026-10-01.

What is Watson Engineering, PC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

A comprehensive review of Watson Engineering, PC's past performance with the Department of Veterans Affairs would require accessing detailed contract databases and performance evaluations. Generally, agencies assess a contractor's history of meeting schedule, cost, and technical requirements on previous awards. For this specific contract, the VA would have evaluated Watson Engineering's suitability based on their demonstrated capabilities and past performance, especially concerning similar engineering services for facility upgrades or fire protection systems. Without access to specific VA performance records or prior contract history for Watson Engineering, it's difficult to provide a detailed assessment, but the award itself suggests they met the VA's criteria for this project.

How does the $2.38 million cost compare to similar fire protection upgrade projects at other VAMCs?

Benchmarking the $2.38 million cost against similar fire protection upgrade projects at other VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) is challenging without specific project details and scope definitions. Factors such as the size of the facility, the existing infrastructure, the complexity of the required upgrades (e.g., sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire suppression), and regional labor costs significantly influence project expenses. However, for a facility of substantial size requiring comprehensive fire protection improvements over an extended period (1082 days), this figure appears within a plausible range for major infrastructure work. A detailed comparison would necessitate analyzing the scope of work, square footage of the facility, and the specific systems being upgraded across multiple VAMC projects.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract for fire protection improvements?

The primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract revolve around potential scope creep and unforeseen conditions. While the fixed price provides cost certainty, if the engineering assessment reveals unexpected complexities or requires modifications beyond the initially defined scope, managing change orders becomes critical. The contractor bears the risk of cost overruns if their initial estimates are inaccurate or if unforeseen issues arise. For the government, the risk lies in ensuring the contractor adequately addresses all necessary improvements within the fixed price and that the quality of work meets all safety standards. Effective project management and clear contract specifications are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective are fire protection improvement projects like this in enhancing overall VAMC safety?

Projects focused on fire protection improvements are highly effective in enhancing overall VAMC safety. Fire is a significant risk in any healthcare facility due to the presence of sensitive equipment, medical gases, and patients with varying mobility. Upgrading fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems, along with ensuring structural fire resistance, directly reduces the likelihood of fire incidents and minimizes potential harm to patients, staff, and visitors. These improvements are critical for maintaining operational continuity during emergencies and ensuring compliance with stringent healthcare safety regulations. The VA's investment in such upgrades underscores a commitment to life safety and risk mitigation.

What has been the historical spending trend for engineering services related to VAMC infrastructure by the VA?

The Department of Veterans Affairs consistently allocates significant funding towards the maintenance, repair, and modernization of its vast network of medical centers and facilities. Spending on engineering services for infrastructure projects, including fire protection upgrades, typically fluctuates based on the age of facilities, identified needs, and available appropriations. Historically, the VA has undertaken numerous large-scale capital projects to address deferred maintenance and modernize its infrastructure. While specific annual spending figures for 'engineering services for VAMC infrastructure' would require detailed budget analysis, it represents a substantial and ongoing category of expenditure critical to ensuring the safety and functionality of VA healthcare assets.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: 36C24122R0123

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4500 STATE ROUTE 434, APALACHIN, NY, 13732

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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: $2,379,560

Exercised Options: $2,379,560

Current Obligation: $2,379,560

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline