VA awards $485K engineering services contract to ABOVE GROUP INC. for Florida-based support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $485,125 ($485.1K)

Contractor: Above Group Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-06

End Date: 2027-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,211 days

Daily Burn Rate: $401/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: 516-CSI-134 AE PET CT

Place of Performance

Location: BAY PINES, PINELLAS County, FLORIDA, 33744

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $485,124.58 to ABOVE GROUP INC. for work described as: 516-CSI-134 AE PET CT Key points: 1. Contract value appears moderate for specialized engineering services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Contract duration extends over three years, indicating a need for sustained support. 5. The awardee has a single contract with the VA, suggesting limited prior engagement. 6. Geographic focus on Florida aligns with specific VA facility needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $485,124.58 for engineering services over approximately three years is within a reasonable range for specialized support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for engineering services within the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Without specific deliverables or scope details, a definitive comparison is challenging, but the overall value seems appropriate for the duration and likely scope of work.

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 that the solicitation was broadly advertised and multiple bids were likely considered. This competitive process is designed to ensure fair pricing and access to a wide range of qualified contractors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging high-quality service delivery.

Public Impact

Veterans in Florida will benefit from improved infrastructure and facilities through the engineering services provided. The contract supports the maintenance and enhancement of VA healthcare facilities and related infrastructure. The primary geographic impact is within Florida, where the VA operates numerous healthcare centers and administrative offices. The contract supports the engineering sector workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for skilled professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited track record with the awarding agency (VA) could present integration challenges.
Scope of work and specific performance metrics are not detailed, posing potential for performance ambiguity.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type minimizes financial risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Contract duration of over three years indicates a stable, long-term need for the services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector supports government agencies in designing, planning, and overseeing infrastructure projects. Spending in this area is often tied to modernization efforts, facility maintenance, and new construction. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing aggregate federal outlays for engineering services across agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, GSA, and other departments with significant infrastructure portfolios.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, ABOVE GROUP INC., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for engineering services. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Facilities Engineering
Architectural and Engineering Services
Construction Management Services
Federal Infrastructure Projects

Risk Flags

Limited contractor history with the awarding agency.
Lack of detailed scope of work in summary data.
Potential for quality compromises in FFP contracts if not closely monitored.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $485,124.58 to ABOVE GROUP INC.. 516-CSI-134 AE PET CT

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 $485,124.58.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-06. End: 2027-12-31.

What is the specific scope of engineering services required under this contract, and how does it align with the VA's infrastructure needs in Florida?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of engineering services. However, given the awarding agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) and the sector (Engineering Services), it is highly probable that these services relate to the design, planning, renovation, maintenance, or oversight of VA healthcare facilities, administrative buildings, or related infrastructure within Florida. This could include structural engineering, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) design, civil engineering for site improvements, or project management for construction and repair projects. The alignment with VA's needs would be assessed by reviewing the agency's capital investment plans, facility condition assessments, and strategic goals for healthcare delivery in the Florida region.

How does the $485,124.58 contract value compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies in the past year?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires access to a broader dataset of federal contract awards for engineering services. However, $485,124.58 for a contract spanning over three years (from September 2024 to December 2027) suggests a moderate-sized award. Contracts for specialized engineering support can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the complexity, duration, and specific services required. For instance, large-scale design-build projects or comprehensive facility master planning would command significantly higher values. This award likely represents support for specific projects, facility upgrades, or ongoing technical consultation rather than a large-scale capital development.

What is the track record of ABOVE GROUP INC. with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies, particularly regarding performance and past issues?

The provided data indicates that this is the first contract listed for ABOVE GROUP INC. with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Without access to a comprehensive federal procurement database that tracks all awards and performance history across agencies, it's difficult to definitively assess their overall track record. A deeper dive would be needed to determine if they have contracts with other federal entities, their performance ratings on those contracts (if available), and if there have been any past performance issues, disputes, or terminations. The limited apparent history with the VA suggests this may be an initial engagement or a contract for a niche service.

Given the 'full and open competition' award type, what does the level of competition suggest about the pricing and potential for innovation?

The 'full and open competition' designation is a strong positive signal. It implies that the solicitation was widely advertised, allowing any responsible source to submit an offer. This broad competition typically drives prices down towards market rates as contractors vie for the award. It also increases the likelihood that the government will receive offers from a diverse range of capable firms, potentially including those with innovative approaches or specialized expertise. While the exact number of bidders isn't specified, the process itself suggests that the VA sought the best value through a competitive marketplace, which is beneficial for taxpayer interests and service quality.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for engineering services, and how are they mitigated in this award?

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts place the majority of the risk on the contractor, as they are obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. For engineering services, potential risks for the contractor could include underestimating labor hours, unforeseen technical challenges, or scope creep if not managed carefully. For the government, the primary risk with FFP is that the contractor might cut corners on quality to maintain profitability, or that the initial price might be inflated if competition was weak. However, in this case, the 'full and open competition' mitigates the risk of an inflated price. The VA's oversight and clear statement of work are crucial for ensuring quality is not compromised.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

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: $485,125

Exercised Options: $485,125

Current Obligation: $485,125

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24824D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline