VA Awards $7.87M for Legionella Prevention, Focusing on Building Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,869,530 ($7.9M)

Contractor: Hamilton Pacific Chamberlain LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-04-04

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,610 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: HW CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENTS FOR LEGIONELLA PHASE 1

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21201

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $7.9 million to HAMILTON PACIFIC CHAMBERLAIN LLC for work described as: HW CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENTS FOR LEGIONELLA PHASE 1 Key points: 1. Spending focuses on critical health infrastructure (Legionella prevention). 2. Competition method suggests potential for price discovery. 3. Risk of project delays or cost overruns exists given the 4-year duration. 4. Construction sector spending is substantial, requiring careful oversight.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $7.87 million for circulation improvements appears reasonable given the project's scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale building construction contracts for health-related infrastructure would provide further validation.

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, indicating a robust process to solicit bids. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential health and safety upgrades.

Public Impact

Improved public health and safety within VA facilities by mitigating Legionella risks. Supports the construction industry and associated supply chains. Ensures compliance with health regulations and standards.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long project duration (4 years) increases risk of scope creep and cost escalation.
Reliance on a single contractor for a multi-year project.
Potential for unforeseen construction challenges impacting schedule and budget.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition promotes fair pricing.
Focus on critical health infrastructure addresses a significant public safety concern.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Spending benchmarks for similar VA facility upgrades or public health infrastructure projects would be relevant for comparison.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate specific participation or set-asides for small businesses in this contract, which could be an area for review to ensure equitable opportunity.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight. Regular progress reports, site inspections, and performance reviews will be crucial to ensure project success and accountability.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration
Potential for construction cost overruns
Dependency on contractor performance over an extended period
Need for robust VA oversight to ensure quality and adherence to schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $7.9 million to HAMILTON PACIFIC CHAMBERLAIN LLC. HW CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENTS FOR LEGIONELLA PHASE 1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HAMILTON PACIFIC CHAMBERLAIN LLC.

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 $7.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-04. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the projected impact of these circulation improvements on Legionella risk reduction?

The primary goal is to significantly reduce the risk of Legionella bacteria proliferation within the VA facility's water systems. This involves upgrading or replacing existing circulation infrastructure to ensure proper water flow, temperature control, and reduced stagnation, thereby creating a less hospitable environment for bacterial growth and protecting patient and staff health.

What are the key risks associated with a 4-year construction project of this magnitude?

A 4-year timeline presents risks such as potential material cost inflation, labor shortages, unforeseen site conditions requiring design modifications, and the possibility of scope creep if requirements evolve. Effective project management, contingency planning, and proactive risk mitigation strategies are essential to manage these challenges.

How does this spending align with VA's overall infrastructure modernization goals?

This investment in circulation improvements directly supports VA's broader objective of modernizing healthcare facilities and ensuring a safe, healthy environment for veterans. Addressing critical infrastructure needs like water safety is fundamental to maintaining operational readiness and providing high-quality care.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C24522R0001

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14K IRONGATE DR STE K, WALDORF, MD, 20602

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,869,530

Exercised Options: $7,869,530

Current Obligation: $7,869,530

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24518D0146

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline