VA awards $71.8K for lawn sweepers, with 5 bids received under simplified acquisition procedures

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $71,805 ($71.8K)

Contractor: Aantilia LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-09-07

Contract Duration: 153 days

Daily Burn Rate: $469/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SMITHCO SWEEPSTAR LAWN SWEEPER 60 DIESEL

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78758

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $71,805.12 to AANTILIA LLC for work described as: SMITHCO SWEEPSTAR LAWN SWEEPER 60 DIESEL Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature and competitive bidding. 2. Competition dynamics show a healthy number of bidders for a simplified acquisition. 3. Risk indicators are low due to a straightforward product and short performance period. 4. Performance context is a standard equipment purchase for facility maintenance. 5. Sector positioning is within the manufacturing of lawn and garden equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $71,805.12 for six diesel lawn sweepers seems within a reasonable range for specialized equipment. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for grounds maintenance equipment indicates that this price point is competitive, especially considering the firm-fixed-price structure which shifts risk to the contractor. The number of bids received (5) suggests that the pricing was likely influenced by market forces.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for streamlined procurement for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold. Five bids were received, indicating a reasonable level of competition for this type of acquisition. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market for these specific lawn sweepers is accessible and that the VA was able to solicit offers from various sources.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process under SAP helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market competition.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs benefits from this contract by acquiring essential equipment for maintaining its facilities. The services delivered include the provision of six specialized diesel lawn sweepers. The geographic impact is primarily within Texas, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving the delivery and potential training for VA groundskeeping staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for long-term maintenance costs not fully captured in the initial purchase price.
Dependence on a single model of lawn sweeper could pose supply chain risks if issues arise with the manufacturer or specific model.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost overruns for the government.
Multiple bids received indicate a competitive market and potential for good pricing.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term commitment risk.
Contract awarded to a domestic small business (implied by location and typical SAP awards).

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the manufacturing sector for lawn and garden equipment. This is a niche market within broader industrial manufacturing. Federal spending in this category typically supports agency grounds maintenance and facility upkeep. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely without knowing the exact specifications of the sweepers, but purchases of specialized groundskeeping machinery are common across various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

While the data indicates the contract was competed under SAP, it does not explicitly state if it was a small business set-aside. However, purchases under SAP often include considerations for small businesses. If AANTILIA LLC is a small business, this award contributes to federal small business contracting goals. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically reside within the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement and facility management departments. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms and the delivery schedule. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, although detailed operational oversight is internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Federal Grounds Maintenance Equipment Purchases
Department of Veterans Affairs Facility Operations
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for price inflation due to simplified acquisition procedures if competition is not robust.
Lack of detailed specifications in summary data hinders full value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $71,805.12 to AANTILIA LLC. SMITHCO SWEEPSTAR LAWN SWEEPER 60 DIESEL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AANTILIA 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 $71,805.12.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-09-07.

What is the specific model and key features of the SMITHCO SWEEPSTAR LAWN SWEEPER 60 DIESEL purchased?

The provided data identifies the item as 'SMITHCO SWEEPSTAR LAWN SWEEPER 60 DIESEL'. While specific technical specifications are not detailed in the summary, the model name suggests it is a diesel-powered lawn sweeper, likely a robust model designed for commercial or industrial use, possibly with a 60-inch working width. Further details on engine power, debris capacity, maneuverability features, and emission standards would typically be found in the detailed product specifications referenced within the purchase order itself. This level of detail is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the value proposition and suitability for the VA's intended use.

How does the price per unit compare to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) pricing for similar equipment?

The total award is $71,805.12 for six units, equating to approximately $11,967.52 per sweeper. Benchmarking this against commercial pricing requires access to current COTS catalogs and dealer quotes for comparable diesel-powered, commercial-grade lawn sweepers, potentially with a 60-inch working width. Factors like dealer discounts, volume purchasing power, and specific feature sets (e.g., advanced filtration, specialized attachments) can significantly influence price. Given the federal procurement process and the number of bids, it's plausible this price is competitive, but a direct comparison with current market rates for identical or highly similar models would be necessary for a definitive assessment of value for money.

What is the track record of AANTILIA LLC in supplying similar equipment to the federal government?

Information regarding AANTILIA LLC's specific track record in supplying similar equipment to the federal government is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards to this contractor, particularly for grounds maintenance equipment or similar machinery. Analyzing past performance, contract values, and customer feedback (if available) would provide insight into their reliability, pricing consistency, and ability to meet federal requirements. Without this historical data, it's difficult to assess their established performance level.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for specialized equipment like this?

Firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally favored for minimizing cost uncertainty for the government. However, for specialized equipment, potential risks include the contractor potentially cutting corners on quality or service to maintain profitability if the initial price was set too low or unforeseen issues arise. There's also a risk that the government might overpay if the initial price was set too high and the contractor secures a significant profit margin. For this specific purchase, the risk is mitigated by the competitive bidding process, which should have driven the price towards a fair market value, and the relatively short duration of the contract (153 days), limiting long-term exposure.

How does the $71.8K award compare to the VA's historical spending on grounds maintenance equipment?

To compare this $71.8K award to the VA's historical spending, one would need to analyze past procurement data for grounds maintenance equipment by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This would involve querying databases for similar equipment categories (e.g., mowers, tractors, sweepers) over several fiscal years. The analysis should consider the number of units purchased, total contract values, and average unit prices to establish a trend. This specific award appears to be for a relatively small quantity (six units) and falls under simplified acquisition procedures, suggesting it might be for specific needs or replacements rather than a large-scale fleet acquisition. Understanding the VA's typical procurement volumes and budget allocations for such equipment is key to contextualizing this award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing › Lawn and Garden Tractor and Home Lawn and Garden Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C26026Q0195

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11801 DOMAIN BLVD STE 300, AUSTIN, TX, 78758

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $71,805

Exercised Options: $71,805

Current Obligation: $71,805

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline