VA awards $269K for VBA Security Enhancements to GC Joint Venture under competitive SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $268,901 ($268.9K)

Contractor: GC Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-10-20

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 343 days

Daily Burn Rate: $784/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: VBA SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE County, DELAWARE, 19805

State: Delaware Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $268,900.87 to GC JOINT VENTURE for work described as: VBA SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to GC Joint Venture for security enhancements. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period spans nearly two years, suggesting a need for sustained effort. 4. The contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. 5. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 6. Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, focusing on VBA security.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $268,900.87 appears reasonable for a 343-day performance period focused on security enhancements. Benchmarking against similar construction or IT security projects within the federal government would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that cost overruns are the contractor's responsibility, which is a positive indicator for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process for awards under $250,000, though this award slightly exceeds that threshold. With 3 bidders, the competition level appears adequate, likely contributing to a fair market price. The use of SAP implies that the agency sought to streamline the acquisition process while still encouraging competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayer funds were used efficiently by leveraging multiple bids to secure a favorable price.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs by enhancing the security of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Services delivered include construction and potentially related security system installations. Geographic impact is primarily within the facilities managed by the VBA. Workforce implications may involve skilled construction and security personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if security requirements are not clearly defined.
Reliance on a joint venture may introduce coordination challenges between partners.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Competitive award process suggests a fair market price was obtained.
Clear performance period provides a defined timeframe for project completion.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically addressing security enhancements. The federal government frequently procures construction services for facility upgrades and maintenance. The market for such services is robust, with numerous contractors capable of performing specialized security-related construction work. This award represents a small portion of overall federal construction spending.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the award value and the nature of the work, it's possible that subcontracting opportunities could exist for specialized security system installers or material suppliers, which may benefit small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and project managers. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides a degree of accountability by fixing the total cost. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific project details may be limited.

Related Government Programs

VBA IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Building Security Upgrades
Department of Veterans Affairs Facility Management

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Contractor performance risk (joint venture)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $268,900.87 to GC JOINT VENTURE. VBA SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GC JOINT VENTURE.

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 $268,900.87.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-20. End: 2026-09-28.

What is the track record of GC Joint Venture in performing similar federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'GC JOINT VENTURE' in performing similar federal contracts is not provided in the data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government projects. Without this data, it is difficult to gauge their experience and reliability for this specific VBA security enhancement project. Further research into the individual entities comprising the joint venture might yield more insights into their capabilities and past performance.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar security enhancement projects?

The awarded price of approximately $269,000 for a 343-day contract for VBA security enhancements is difficult to benchmark precisely without more detailed specifications of the work involved. Security enhancements can range from physical security upgrades (e.g., access control, reinforced structures) to cybersecurity measures. If the work involves significant construction or complex system integration, the price might be considered competitive. However, if it's primarily for standard security equipment installation, it could be on the higher side. A detailed comparison would require analyzing the scope of work against industry cost data for similar federal or commercial projects.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements for security enhancements may expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost or schedule overruns, despite the firm-fixed-price nature. There's also a risk related to the performance of the joint venture itself; coordination issues between partners or a lack of specific expertise within one partner could impact project delivery. Furthermore, unforeseen technical challenges in integrating new security measures with existing VBA systems could pose a risk. Finally, the effectiveness of the implemented security enhancements in truly mitigating identified vulnerabilities is a critical performance risk.

How effective are firm-fixed-price contracts in managing costs for construction-related security projects?

Firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally considered effective in managing costs for construction-related security projects when the scope of work is well-defined and understood upfront. Under an FFP contract, the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns, providing the government with cost certainty. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage resources efficiently and control expenses. However, if the scope is ambiguous or subject to change, it can lead to disputes or change orders, potentially negating some of the cost control benefits. For security enhancements, where requirements can sometimes evolve, careful initial definition and robust change management are crucial for FFP effectiveness.

What is the historical spending trend for VBA security enhancements?

The provided data does not include historical spending trends for VBA security enhancements. To analyze this, one would need access to historical contract databases to identify previous awards for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding past spending patterns would help determine if this $269,000 award is consistent with previous investments, represents an increase or decrease in spending, and whether the VA has consistently used competitive bidding for these types of enhancements. This context is crucial for assessing the current award's financial prudence.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24425B0024

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 520 S MARLYN AVE, ESSEX, MD, 21221

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: $268,901

Exercised Options: $268,901

Current Obligation: $268,901

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline