VA awards $11.5M contract for elevator modernization across 8 buildings to Elevated Technologies, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,469,860 ($11.5M)

Contractor: Elevated Technologies, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2025-11-13

Contract Duration: 776 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 631-21-011 MODERNIZE, REPLACE, OR INSTALL ELEVATORS IN 8 BUILDINGS

Place of Performance

Location: LEEDS, HAMPSHIRE County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01053

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $11.5 million to ELEVATED TECHNOLOGIES, INC for work described as: 631-21-011 MODERNIZE, REPLACE, OR INSTALL ELEVATORS IN 8 BUILDINGS Key points: 1. The contract aims to modernize, replace, or install elevators in 8 buildings, addressing critical infrastructure needs. 2. Elevated Technologies, Inc. secured the award, indicating potential specialization or competitive bidding in this niche. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and cost, mitigating some financial risk. 4. The sector involves building equipment contractors, a segment crucial for facility maintenance and upgrades.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.5 million for elevator modernization across 8 buildings appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale elevator upgrade projects would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

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,' suggesting a competitive process that initially considered multiple sources but ultimately excluded some. This method aims for best value but requires careful justification for source exclusion.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is intended to secure a fair price for taxpayers, though the specific impact depends on the rigor of the evaluation and the number of actual bidders.

Public Impact

Improved accessibility and safety for veterans and staff using the 8 affected buildings. Modernized elevators can lead to increased energy efficiency and reduced maintenance downtime. Potential for job creation within the building equipment contracting sector. Ensures the continued operational capacity of critical VA facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Justification for 'EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' needs scrutiny to ensure fair competition.
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during modernization.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical infrastructure project.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating a focus on essential services.
Contract duration allows for phased implementation and minimizes disruption.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Building Equipment Contractors' sector, which includes services for installing and maintaining essential building systems like elevators. Spending in this area is often driven by infrastructure needs and facility modernization efforts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the award went to 'ELEVATED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.' and that small business participation (sb) was false. Further investigation is needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were offered to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight will be crucial to ensure timely completion, adherence to specifications, and effective management of funds, especially given the 'EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause.

Related Government Programs

Other Building Equipment Contractors
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of elevator modernization.
Risk of scope creep or unforeseen issues during modernization impacting cost and schedule.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure upgrades.
Lack of explicit small business participation noted in the award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $11.5 million to ELEVATED TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 631-21-011 MODERNIZE, REPLACE, OR INSTALL ELEVATORS IN 8 BUILDINGS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELEVATED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

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 $11.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2025-11-13.

What specific criteria were used to exclude sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' process, and how did this impact the final price?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when only a limited number of contractors possess the necessary specialized skills, technology, or security clearances. The impact on price can vary; while it might reduce the number of bidders, the remaining competitors may still engage in robust price discovery. A thorough review of the solicitation documents and award justification would reveal the specific reasons for exclusion and their potential effect on the final negotiated price.

What are the long-term maintenance costs associated with the new elevators, and how do they compare to the previous systems?

Long-term maintenance costs are a critical factor in the total cost of ownership for elevator systems. While the initial contract focuses on modernization, the agency should have projections for ongoing maintenance contracts, parts, and labor. Comparing these projected costs against the maintenance expenses of the older systems will reveal the true lifecycle value of the upgrade. This information is vital for assessing the overall financial effectiveness beyond the initial installation.

How will the VA measure the success of this elevator modernization project in terms of improved reliability and reduced downtime?

The VA can measure success through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as elevator uptime percentage, mean time between failures (MTBF), and response times for maintenance calls. Establishing baseline metrics before modernization and tracking these KPIs post-installation will provide quantifiable data on improvements. User feedback surveys from building occupants and maintenance staff can also offer qualitative insights into the effectiveness of the new systems.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Other Building Equipment Contractors

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 36C24123B0011

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 126 SEVEN FARMS DR, STE 160-B, CHARLESTON, SC, 29492

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: $11,469,860

Exercised Options: $11,469,860

Current Obligation: $11,469,860

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline