VA awards $2.26M fire safety contract to Citizen Contracting Group LLC for 3 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $225,907 ($225.9K)

Contractor: Citizen Contracting Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-07-01

End Date: 2027-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $206/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FIRE ALARM AND FIRE SPRINKLER MAINTENANCE & REPAIR CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: CHEYENNE, LARAMIE County, WYOMING, 82001

State: Wyoming Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $225,907.49 to CITIZEN CONTRACTING GROUP LLC for work described as: FIRE ALARM AND FIRE SPRINKLER MAINTENANCE & REPAIR CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a 3-year fire alarm and sprinkler maintenance agreement. 2. Competition was limited under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), potentially impacting price discovery. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, offering cost certainty. 4. Performance is located in Wyoming, a less common geographic focus for large federal contracts. 5. The contractor, Citizen Contracting Group LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code suggests a specialized service.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.26 million over three years for fire alarm and sprinkler maintenance is within a typical range for such services. However, without specific details on the scope of work, number of facilities covered, and service level agreements, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for VA facilities in comparable geographic regions would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation. The firm-fixed-price nature provides budget predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and is intended for purchases below a certain threshold. The data indicates 5 bids were received. While SAP aims for efficiency, it generally offers less robust competition than full and open competition, potentially leading to higher prices than might be achieved with a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP means taxpayers may not be receiving the absolute lowest possible price for these essential safety services, as the pool of potential bidders was restricted.

Public Impact

Veterans and VA staff in Wyoming will benefit from enhanced fire safety through regular maintenance and repair of alarm and sprinkler systems. The contract ensures the operational readiness and safety compliance of VA facilities in the region. This contract supports specialized maintenance services, contributing to the upkeep of critical infrastructure. The contract is expected to support local jobs in Wyoming through the contractor's operations and potential subcontracting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may have restricted price discovery.
Contractor's track record in federal contracting is not established.
Geographic concentration in Wyoming might limit the pool of specialized service providers.
Scope of work details are not provided, making a full assessment of value difficult.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the VA.
Contract addresses essential life safety systems, crucial for facility operations.
Multiple bids (5) were received, indicating some level of market interest.
Contract duration of 3 years allows for consistent service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The fire alarm and fire sprinkler maintenance and repair sector is a critical component of facility management and safety compliance across all industries. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need to maintain aging infrastructure and meet stringent safety regulations. This contract fits within the broader security systems services market, specifically focusing on life safety systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within facility maintenance and operations budgets for government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if the prime contractor is a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses remains unknown without further information. Analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting plans were required or if small businesses were involved in the bidding process.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for facility maintenance in Wyoming. As a purchase order, it may be subject to standard procurement regulations and internal VA oversight processes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, but detailed performance reviews and Inspector General involvement would depend on specific performance issues or audits.

Related Government Programs

VA Facility Maintenance Contracts
Federal Fire Safety Services
Security Systems Maintenance
Government Purchase Orders
Wyoming Federal Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
New Contractor
SAP Competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $225,907.49 to CITIZEN CONTRACTING GROUP LLC. FIRE ALARM AND FIRE SPRINKLER MAINTENANCE & REPAIR CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CITIZEN CONTRACTING GROUP 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 $225,907.49.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2027-06-30.

What is the specific scope of services covered by this fire alarm and fire sprinkler maintenance & repair contract?

The provided data identifies the contract's purpose as 'FIRE ALARM AND FIRE SPRINKLER MAINTENANCE & REPAIR CONTRACT' and assigns NAICS code 561621 (Security Systems Services, except Locksmiths). However, the detailed scope of work, including the specific types of systems covered (e.g., specific brands, types of sprinklers), frequency of inspections, testing protocols, emergency repair response times, and the number and location of facilities serviced within Wyoming, is not detailed in the summary data. A comprehensive understanding of the scope is crucial for assessing the contract's value and performance.

How does the $225,907.49 annual value compare to similar VA fire safety contracts in other states?

Benchmarking this contract's annual value of approximately $225,907 against similar VA fire safety contracts requires access to a broader dataset of contracts with comparable scopes, facility sizes, and geographic cost-of-living adjustments. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent, fair, or concerning value. However, for a single state contract, it suggests a significant scope or a higher cost environment. Further analysis would involve identifying contracts for similar services at VA medical centers or administrative buildings in other states and adjusting for regional economic factors.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract to a less established federal contractor?

Awarding a contract to a less established federal contractor like Citizen Contracting Group LLC introduces several potential risks. These include a lack of proven performance history within the federal system, potential unfamiliarity with government compliance requirements, and possible challenges in scaling operations to meet federal demands. There might also be a higher risk of project delays or quality issues if the contractor lacks experience managing large-scale government projects. Mitigation strategies could involve enhanced oversight, phased performance expectations, and clear communication channels.

What is the historical spending pattern for fire alarm and sprinkler maintenance at this specific VA facility or region?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for fire alarm and sprinkler maintenance at the specific VA facility or region covered by this contract. To assess historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for previous contracts awarded for these services to the VA in Wyoming or to the specific facility. Analyzing past expenditures would help determine if the current $2.26 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical safety systems over time.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation impact the potential for cost savings for taxpayers?

The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) designation indicates that the contract was competed using procedures designed for smaller purchases, typically below $250,000 (though thresholds can vary). While SAP aims for efficiency, it generally involves a more limited number of bidders and less stringent documentation requirements compared to full and open competition. This limited competition can potentially result in higher prices than might be achieved through a broader solicitation process, meaning taxpayers may not benefit from the most aggressive pricing available in the market.

What is the significance of NAICS code 561621 (Security Systems Services except Locksmiths) for this contract?

NAICS code 561621 classifies businesses primarily engaged in providing security systems services, excluding locksmiths. For this contract, it signifies that the services procured are specifically related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of electronic security and life safety systems, such as fire alarms, sprinkler monitoring systems, and potentially integrated security platforms. This code helps categorize the contract within the broader federal procurement landscape and indicates the specialized nature of the services required, focusing on technical expertise in security and safety technology rather than general building maintenance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C25924Q0519

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7991 S 266TH EAST AVE, BROKEN ARROW, OK, 74014

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $225,908

Exercised Options: $225,907

Current Obligation: $225,907

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline