VA awards $849,600 for Chaplain Services to William J. Kunisch II, a sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $84,960 ($85.0K)

Contractor: Kunisch II William J

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-05-01

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $78/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CHAPLAIN SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: AIEA, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96701

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $84,960 to KUNISCH II WILLIAM J for work described as: CHAPLAIN SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive opportunities. 2. The contract duration of 1094 days suggests a need for sustained services. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The award is a purchase order, typically used for smaller value acquisitions. 5. The contractor is identified as an individual, raising questions about organizational capacity. 6. No small business set-aside was applied to this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and the specific service provided. As a purchase order for individual services, direct comparisons to larger, competed contracts for similar religious support are difficult. The fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but without competitive bids, it's hard to definitively assess if the price represents optimal value for money. The total award amount of $849,600 over nearly three years suggests a significant commitment for individual services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of Veterans Affairs did not solicit offers from multiple potential contractors. This approach is typically used when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement, or in specific circumstances where full and open competition is not feasible or advantageous. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was not utilized, potentially leading to a higher price than might have been achieved through a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of the lowest possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. The government's ability to negotiate favorable terms is also reduced in sole-source situations.

Public Impact

Veterans in Hawaii will benefit from continued access to spiritual and religious guidance and support. Chaplaincy services are crucial for the morale, well-being, and mental health of service members and veterans. The contract supports the provision of religious services, counseling, and pastoral care. The geographic impact is focused on the state of Hawaii, serving veterans in that region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
Contractor is an individual, raising questions about depth of service and continuity.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Award ensures continuity of essential chaplain services for veterans.
Contract duration indicates a recognized, ongoing need for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically religious organizations. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 813110, 'Religious Organizations,' covers establishments primarily engaged in promoting religious beliefs and activities. While the total federal spending on religious services is not a readily tracked aggregate, individual contracts like this support the broader mission of government agencies to provide comprehensive care and support to their constituents, including spiritual well-being.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned. As a sole-source award to an individual, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal. There is no indication of efforts to leverage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities within this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a purchase order, it may be subject to less rigorous oversight than larger, more complex contracts. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the performance monitoring of the contractor would be key accountability measures. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Chaplain Services
Federal Religious Support Contracts
Purchase Orders for Professional Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Contractor is an individual, potential for limited capacity or continuity.
Lack of public information on contractor qualifications and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $84,960 to KUNISCH II WILLIAM J. CHAPLAIN SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KUNISCH II WILLIAM J.

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 $84,960.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to William J. Kunisch II?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source procurements are justified under specific circumstances outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), such as when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs, or when there is a compelling urgency. Without the official justification document, it is impossible to ascertain the precise reasons. This lack of transparency is a concern, as it prevents a thorough assessment of whether competition was genuinely not feasible or if alternative solutions were adequately explored. Further investigation would require accessing the contract file and associated documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to other VA chaplaincy services in similar geographic regions?

Direct comparison of the annual cost of this contract ($849,600 / 1094 days * 365 days/year ≈ $283,200 per year) to other VA chaplaincy services is difficult without more data. This contract is a sole-source award to an individual, which may have a different cost structure than contracts awarded to larger organizations or through competitive bidding. The geographic focus on Hawaii may also influence costs due to higher living expenses and potentially fewer local providers. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify other VA facilities in comparable high-cost-of-living areas that utilize chaplain services, examine their contract types (competed vs. sole-source), contractor type (individual vs. organization), and the scope of services provided to establish a meaningful benchmark.

What are the performance metrics and evaluation criteria for William J. Kunisch II under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or evaluation criteria for William J. Kunisch II. For a purchase order of this nature, performance is typically assessed based on the satisfactory delivery of the contracted services, which in this case would involve providing spiritual and religious support to veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs would likely have internal guidelines or a statement of work outlining expectations for the chaplain's duties, availability, and professional conduct. However, without access to the contract's statement of work or performance work statement, a detailed analysis of the specific metrics and how performance is measured is not possible. Regular oversight by the contracting officer's representative would be expected.

What is the historical spending pattern for chaplain services by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and how does this award fit within that pattern?

Historical spending on chaplain services by the VA is not detailed in the provided data. However, the VA has a long-standing program to provide spiritual and religious care to veterans, recognizing its importance for overall well-being. This award of $849,600 over approximately three years represents a significant investment in ensuring these services are available in Hawaii. Without historical data, it's difficult to definitively state if this award is higher or lower than previous spending for similar services in the region or nationally. It is reasonable to assume that the VA allocates substantial resources annually to its chaplaincy program across its various facilities to meet the diverse spiritual needs of the veteran population.

Are there any concerns regarding the contractor's track record or qualifications, given the sole-source nature of the award?

The provided data does not offer information on the contractor's track record or qualifications. The sole-source nature of the award, however, inherently raises questions about the vetting process. While the government may have internal data or prior experience with William J. Kunisch II that justified this award, the lack of a competitive process means the public and other potential providers do not have visibility into why this specific individual was selected. To assess concerns, one would need to review past performance reviews, any disciplinary actions, or evidence of qualifications and experience that uniquely position this individual to meet the VA's needs in Hawaii. The absence of this information in the public domain warrants a degree of caution.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Religious Organizations › Religious Organizations

Product/Service Code: SOCIAL SERVICES › SOCIAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C26124Q0564

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 94-1260 LUMIKULA ST, WAIPAHU, HI, 96797

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $147,600

Exercised Options: $84,960

Current Obligation: $84,960

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline