VA awards $5.5M contract for emergency communications equipment to Trane U.S. Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $555,265 ($555.3K)
Contractor: Trane U.S. Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2026-02-13
End Date: 2027-02-12
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EMERGENCY
Place of Performance
Location: BROCKTON, PLYMOUTH County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02301
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $555,265 to TRANE U.S. INC. for work described as: EMERGENCY Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for emergency communications equipment, highlighting a critical need for reliable systems. 3. Trane U.S. Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating their specific capability or market position for this requirement. 4. The contract duration is one year, suggesting a need for ongoing or recurring equipment supply. 5. The award type is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 6. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this $5.5 million contract is challenging without specific details on the quantity and type of communications equipment. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Comparing Trane U.S. Inc.'s pricing to similar emergency communications equipment contracts would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. The award amount itself does not inherently indicate good or poor value without context on the deliverables.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of this procurement method generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. The open competition suggests a healthy market for this type of equipment.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing and the assurance that the government sought the most advantageous offer available in the market.
Public Impact
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the primary beneficiary, ensuring operational continuity during emergencies. The contract provides essential emergency communications equipment, crucial for maintaining services and safety. The geographic impact is likely focused on VA facilities requiring these communication capabilities. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract is for equipment procurement rather than services requiring significant labor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific details on equipment type and quantity makes value assessment difficult.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if this is a specialized system.
- Reliance on a single awardee for critical emergency equipment.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, promoting market fairness.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Addresses a critical need for emergency preparedness within the VA.
Sector Analysis
The market for emergency communications equipment is a specialized segment within the broader telecommunications and electronics manufacturing sectors. This contract likely falls under the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' category. The size of this specific market segment can vary significantly based on government spending priorities and technological advancements. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal awards for similar emergency communication systems across different agencies.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. The award to Trane U.S. Inc., a presumably larger entity, suggests that small businesses may not have been the primary focus for this specific procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified goods at an agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be less public.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Communications Equipment
- Department of Defense (DoD) Emergency Communications
- General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for technological obsolescence
- Cybersecurity risks associated with communication systems
- Dependence on specific network infrastructure
- Limited information on contractor's specific experience in communications equipment
Tags
va, emergency-equipment, communications-equipment, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, trane-u-s-inc, massachusetts, other-communications-equipment-manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $555,265 to TRANE U.S. INC.. EMERGENCY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TRANE U.S. 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 $555,265.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-02-13. End: 2027-02-12.
What specific types of emergency communications equipment are being procured under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' and is categorized under 'EMERGENCY'. However, it does not specify the exact types of equipment. This could range from satellite phones, encrypted radios, emergency notification systems, or specialized communication hubs. Understanding the specific equipment is crucial for assessing its technological relevance, operational necessity, and potential for obsolescence. Without this detail, a thorough evaluation of the contract's purpose and value is limited. Further inquiry with the awarding agency would be necessary to obtain a detailed list of the procured items.
How does the awarded amount of $5.5 million compare to historical spending on similar emergency communications equipment by the VA?
To assess historical spending, one would need to analyze past VA contracts for emergency communications equipment over several fiscal years. This would involve searching contract databases for similar product service codes (PSCs) and keywords related to emergency communications. Comparing the current $5.5 million award to the average or median spending on comparable items in previous years would reveal whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or is in line with historical trends. Factors such as inflation, technological advancements, and changes in VA's emergency preparedness strategies would need to be considered in this comparison.
What is Trane U.S. Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly in supplying communications equipment?
Trane U.S. Inc. is primarily known for its building systems and services, including HVAC. While they may supply some electronic components or systems integrated into buildings, their core business is not typically communications equipment manufacturing. A review of federal procurement data (e.g., FPDS-NG) would be necessary to ascertain their history of supplying communications equipment. This would involve checking if they have previously won contracts for similar items, the value of those contracts, and their performance ratings. If their track record in this specific area is limited, it could represent a higher risk for the VA.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?
The provided data does not specify any Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. For an emergency communications equipment contract, critical KPIs might include delivery timelines, equipment reliability rates, uptime guarantees, and response times for technical support or maintenance. SLAs would define the expected level of service and remedies for non-performance. Without these defined metrics, it is difficult to objectively measure the contractor's performance and ensure the government receives the expected value and operational readiness.
Are there any known risks associated with the technology or deployment of this emergency communications equipment?
Potential risks associated with emergency communications equipment can include technological obsolescence, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, interoperability issues with existing systems, and supply chain disruptions. Given that this is for 'emergency' use, reliability and resilience are paramount. If the equipment relies on specific network infrastructure (e.g., cellular, satellite), the availability and security of those networks during an emergency are also risks. The specific nature of the equipment procured would dictate the precise risks, which should be detailed in the contract's statement of work and risk management plan.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4833 WHITE BEAR PARKWAY, WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN, 55110
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $555,265
Exercised Options: $555,265
Current Obligation: $555,265
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA20D002A
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-02-13
Current End Date: 2027-02-12
Potential End Date: 2027-02-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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