VA awards $411K contract for UST and leak detection design to Fourfront Design Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $410,976 ($411.0K)

Contractor: Fourfront Design Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-19

End Date: 2027-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,091 days

Daily Burn Rate: $377/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REPLACE UST AND LEAK DETECTION BASE DESIGN.

Place of Performance

Location: RAPID CITY, PENNINGTON County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57701

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $410,975.7 to FOURFRONT DESIGN INC for work described as: REPLACE UST AND LEAK DETECTION BASE DESIGN. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential environmental compliance for underground storage tanks. 2. The fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and predictable costs. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process. 4. The duration of the contract is approximately three years, aligning with project needs. 5. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a pre-existing contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $411,095.70 appears reasonable for engineering design services related to UST and leak detection systems. Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., number of facilities, complexity of systems), a direct comparison is challenging. However, for a single facility or a limited set of facilities, this price point is within expected ranges for specialized engineering design. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that it was competed suggests that the VA sought competitive pricing and technical solutions. The number of bids received (2) is on the lower side, which could warrant further investigation into market reach or solicitation clarity, but still represents a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to achieve a fair price and optimal solution for the required engineering services.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs benefits from improved environmental compliance and reduced risk of leaks from underground storage tanks. This contract delivers essential engineering design services for environmental protection measures. The geographic impact is focused on facilities within South Dakota, where the contractor is based. The contract supports specialized engineering jobs within the A&E sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited number of bids (2) may indicate potential for broader outreach or clearer solicitation requirements in future procurements.
The specific scope of 'base design' could be further clarified to ensure comprehensive coverage of all potential leak detection needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract addresses critical environmental compliance and safety requirements for VA facilities.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector, particularly environmental engineering, is crucial for government agencies managing infrastructure. This contract falls under the Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) category. The market for UST and leak detection design is driven by stringent environmental regulations (EPA standards) and the need for facility maintenance. Spending in this area is consistent across federal agencies responsible for physical assets, with contracts often awarded through competitive bidding processes to specialized A&E firms.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a delivery order, it may have been awarded under a larger IDIQ contract that has its own small business subcontracting plan. However, based solely on this award, there is no direct indication of small business participation or subcontracting requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program managers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a ceiling cost. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Compliance Contracts
Underground Storage Tank Management
Facility Engineering Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Infrastructure Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of services.
Risk of schedule delays if design complexities are underestimated.
Ensuring full compliance with evolving environmental regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $410,975.7 to FOURFRONT DESIGN INC. REPLACE UST AND LEAK DETECTION BASE DESIGN.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOURFRONT DESIGN 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 $410,975.7.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-19. End: 2027-09-15.

What is the specific scope of 'base design' for UST and leak detection systems covered by this contract?

The term 'base design' in this context likely refers to the foundational engineering plans and specifications required for the installation or upgrade of underground storage tank (UST) systems and their associated leak detection mechanisms. This would typically include site assessments, preparation of detailed drawings, technical specifications for materials and equipment (such as tanks, piping, pumps, and monitoring systems), compliance with relevant federal, state, and local environmental regulations (e.g., EPA's 40 CFR Part 280), and potentially a preliminary cost estimate for implementation. The specific deliverables would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) attached to the contract, outlining the exact engineering products Fourfront Design Inc. is expected to deliver to the VA.

How does the $411,095.70 contract value compare to similar UST and leak detection design contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparing it to similar engineering design services for UST and leak detection systems. Given the contract value of approximately $411K, it appears to be a mid-sized award for specialized design work. Contracts for similar services can range significantly based on the number of tanks, the complexity of the site, the required level of detail in the design, and the specific leak detection technologies specified. For instance, a design for a single, simple UST might cost tens of thousands, while a comprehensive design for multiple complex systems across several facilities could run into millions. This $411K award suggests a scope likely encompassing design for a moderate number of tanks or a particularly complex single system, falling within a typical range for such specialized engineering tasks within the federal sector.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the initial design specifications, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. Another risk is the technical complexity of ensuring compliance with evolving environmental regulations and selecting appropriate, reliable leak detection technologies. Mitigation strategies likely include a well-defined Statement of Work (SOW), clear communication protocols between the VA and Fourfront Design Inc., and the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs within the agreed-upon budget. The VA's oversight and quality assurance processes would also play a crucial role in monitoring progress and ensuring adherence to specifications and regulations.

What is the track record of Fourfront Design Inc. in performing similar engineering services for federal agencies?

Information regarding Fourfront Design Inc.'s specific track record with federal agencies for UST and leak detection design is not detailed in the provided data. However, as a recipient of a federal contract, the company has presumably met the qualifications and requirements set forth in the solicitation. A deeper analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations (if available through federal databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), previous contract awards, and the company's portfolio to assess their experience, expertise, and success rate in delivering similar engineering solutions, particularly those related to environmental compliance and infrastructure design for government clients.

How does the $411K spending on this specific design contract fit into the broader historical spending patterns for UST and leak detection services by the VA?

The $411K award represents a specific investment in the design phase for UST and leak detection systems. Historical spending patterns for the VA in this area would likely show a consistent allocation of funds towards environmental compliance and infrastructure maintenance. This amount, while significant for a single design contract, is likely a fraction of the VA's overall annual budget for facility operations and upgrades, which includes maintenance, repair, and replacement of critical systems like USTs. Analyzing broader spending would involve looking at aggregate data over several fiscal years to identify trends, the proportion of the budget dedicated to environmental services, and the typical contract values for both design and implementation phases.

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: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 517 7TH ST, RAPID CITY, SD, 57701

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $410,976

Exercised Options: $410,976

Current Obligation: $410,976

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C26319D0045

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline