VA awards $1.7M chiller plant maintenance contract to Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. for Albany VAMC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,745,571 ($1.7M)

Contractor: Unique Cleaning Service, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 355 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CHILLER PLANT / ARF PM MAINTENANCE AT ALBANY VAMC.

Place of Performance

Location: EAST ORANGE, ESSEX County, NEW JERSEY, 07018

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $1.7 million to UNIQUE CLEANING SERVICE, INC. for work described as: CHILLER PLANT / ARF PM MAINTENANCE AT ALBANY VAMC. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized facilities maintenance services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of over a year indicates a need for ongoing support. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The award is for essential infrastructure maintenance at a VA medical center.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1.75 million for a 355-day period is within a reasonable range for specialized facilities maintenance, particularly for critical infrastructure like a chiller plant at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Benchmarking against similar contracts for HVAC and facilities support services at federal facilities suggests this pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

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 bids. The presence of six bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this type of specialized service. A competitive environment generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces. Multiple bidders increase the likelihood of securing the best value for the government.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care at the Albany VAMC will benefit from a reliably functioning HVAC system, ensuring a comfortable and safe environment. The contract ensures the continued operation and maintenance of critical building infrastructure. The primary geographic impact is within the service area of the Albany VAMC in New Jersey. The contract supports specialized maintenance jobs within the facilities management sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if maintenance needs exceed initial estimates.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical infrastructure maintenance.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Full and open competition likely resulted in a competitive price.
Contract duration provides stability for essential service provision.

Sector Analysis

The facilities support services sector is a significant component of government contracting, encompassing a wide range of maintenance, repair, and operational services for federal buildings and infrastructure. This contract falls within the broader category of facilities management and specialized HVAC maintenance. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar services at federal installations vary widely based on facility size, complexity, and geographic location, but this award appears aligned with market rates for essential infrastructure upkeep.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award went to Unique Cleaning Service, Inc., which may or may not be a small business itself. Further analysis would be needed to determine the specific impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and facility managers at the Albany VAMC. Performance will be monitored against the terms of the firm-fixed-price delivery order. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, and the VA Office of Inspector General may conduct audits or investigations if performance issues or irregularities arise.

Related Government Programs

VA Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Federal HVAC Services
Government Building Operations Support

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical facility operations.
Reliance on contractor's technical expertise for specialized maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $1.7 million to UNIQUE CLEANING SERVICE, INC.. CHILLER PLANT / ARF PM MAINTENANCE AT ALBANY VAMC.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIQUE CLEANING SERVICE, 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 $1.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for HVAC maintenance?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. has been awarded multiple contracts, primarily within the facilities maintenance and cleaning services categories. While specific details on their HVAC maintenance track record require deeper investigation into past performance reports and contract histories, their presence as a bidder and awardee in this space suggests some level of experience. It is crucial to examine past performance evaluations, any documented issues, and the scope of previous similar contracts to fully assess their capability and reliability for this critical chiller plant maintenance at the Albany VAMC. Without access to detailed past performance reviews, a definitive assessment of their track record is limited.

How does the awarded price compare to similar chiller plant maintenance contracts at other VA facilities or federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $1.75 million contract against similar chiller plant maintenance contracts requires access to a comprehensive database of federal procurements with detailed service descriptions and contract values. Factors such as facility size, age of equipment, specific maintenance tasks included (preventive, corrective, emergency), and geographic location significantly influence pricing. Anecdotally, for a contract spanning approximately one year and covering essential chiller plant operations and maintenance at a large medical facility, this price appears competitive. However, a precise comparison would necessitate identifying contracts with comparable scope, duration, and service level agreements within the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies operating similar infrastructure.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential contractor underperformance, leading to chiller plant malfunctions and disruption of essential services at the Albany VAMC. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen maintenance needs, although the contractor bears this risk. Mitigation strategies include robust performance monitoring by VA facility managers, clear contract terms and conditions, and the contractor's own incentive to maintain its reputation and secure future work. The firm-fixed-price structure inherently mitigates financial risk for the government, shifting it to the contractor. Ensuring the contractor has adequate technical expertise and resources is also a key mitigation factor addressed during the source selection process.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in ensuring reliable chiller plant operation for the Albany VAMC?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the contractor's ability to perform the required maintenance tasks diligently and competently. Given that the contract was awarded under full and open competition with six bidders, it suggests that Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. was deemed capable of meeting the technical requirements and offering a competitive price. The firm-fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently. The contract duration of over a year allows for consistent application of preventive maintenance schedules, which is crucial for reliable operation. The ultimate effectiveness will be measured by the uptime of the chiller plant and the absence of critical failures during the contract period, as monitored by the VA.

How does historical spending on chiller plant maintenance at the Albany VAMC compare to this new award?

To assess historical spending patterns, one would need to access the Albany VAMC's procurement history for chiller plant maintenance over previous years. This would involve identifying prior contracts for similar services, their values, durations, and the awarded contractors. Comparing this new $1.75 million award to historical figures would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable. Factors such as inflation, changes in facility needs, equipment upgrades, or shifts in contracting strategies could explain any variances. Without access to this specific historical data for the Albany VAMC, a direct comparison cannot be made, but it is a critical step in a comprehensive value analysis.

Are there any specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined in the contract to measure success?

While the provided data does not detail specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance metrics within the contract, it is standard practice for such service contracts, especially for critical infrastructure, to include performance standards. These typically involve metrics related to response times for service calls, equipment uptime percentages, adherence to preventive maintenance schedules, and overall system efficiency. The Department of Veterans Affairs would likely have established performance requirements that Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. must meet. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in penalties or impact future contract awards. A thorough review of the full contract document would be necessary to identify these specific performance measures.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1640 POWERS FERRY RD SE, MARIETTA, GA, 30067

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,491,142

Exercised Options: $1,745,571

Current Obligation: $1,745,571

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS21F036CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline