VA Awards $320K for Boiler Plant Controls Upgrade to Above Group Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $320,094 ($320.1K)

Contractor: Above Group Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-03-31

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 395 days

Daily Burn Rate: $810/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: 402-24-111 AE BOILER PLANT CONTROLS UPGRADE

Place of Performance

Location: SIDNEY, KENNEBEC County, MAINE, 04330

State: Maine Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $320,094.43 to ABOVE GROUP INC. for work described as: 402-24-111 AE BOILER PLANT CONTROLS UPGRADE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential facility upgrade at VA. 2. Above Group Inc. secured the contract. 3. Competition method indicates potential for price discovery. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost overrun risk.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $320,009.43 appears reasonable for an engineering services contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar facility upgrade projects would provide a clearer assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests a limited competition where specific sources were considered, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is the direct cost of the contract, $320,009.43, for a necessary infrastructure upgrade.

Public Impact

Ensures operational efficiency of a critical VA facility. Modernizes essential infrastructure, potentially improving reliability. Supports local economy through contract award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 81 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have reduced price competitiveness.
Exclusion of sources needs justification for fairness.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical infrastructure need.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a sector crucial for maintaining and upgrading federal facilities. Spending in this sector is consistent with infrastructure maintenance needs across government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific requirement or was not met for this award, as 'sb' is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating internal oversight. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method warrants scrutiny to ensure accountability and fairness.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about price optimization.
Lack of small business consideration may be a missed opportunity.
Justification for source exclusion needs review.
Potential for uncompetitive pricing due to limited vendor pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $320,094.43 to ABOVE GROUP INC.. 402-24-111 AE BOILER PLANT CONTROLS UPGRADE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABOVE GROUP 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 $320,094.43.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-31. End: 2026-04-30.

What was the justification for excluding other potential sources in the competition?

The justification for excluding other sources is critical for understanding the procurement's fairness and potential impact on pricing. Without this information, it's difficult to assess if the limited competition truly served the government's best interest or if it restricted opportunities for other qualified vendors, potentially leading to a less competitive price.

How does the final price compare to the initial estimated cost or budget?

Comparing the final award price of $320,009.43 to the initial estimated cost or allocated budget is essential for evaluating financial stewardship. A significant deviation could indicate issues with initial cost estimation, scope creep, or the effectiveness of the negotiation process under the limited competition.

What is the expected improvement in operational efficiency or reliability from this upgrade?

Quantifying the expected improvements in operational efficiency and reliability is key to assessing the contract's long-term value. Understanding the tangible benefits, such as reduced energy consumption, fewer breakdowns, or extended equipment lifespan, helps justify the expenditure and measure the effectiveness of the upgrade.

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: 36C24124R0094

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 305 EAST DR, MELBOURNE, FL, 32904

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: $320,094

Exercised Options: $320,094

Current Obligation: $320,094

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline