VA awards $7,832 fire protection review contract to Above Group Inc. for Kansas City VAMC project

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,833 ($7.8K)

Contractor: Above Group Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-23

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $373/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE COMTRACTOR IS TO PROVIDE AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY CODE REVIEW FOR MINOR PROJECT #589-021 AT THE KANSAS CITY VAMC, AS REQUIRED BY VHA DIRECTIVE 7712 FIRE PROTECTION CODE REVIEWS OF DELEGATED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Place of Performance

Location: KANSAS CITY, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64128

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $7,832.63 to ABOVE GROUP INC. for work described as: THE COMTRACTOR IS TO PROVIDE AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY CODE REVIEW FOR MINOR PROJECT #589-021 AT THE KANSAS CITY VAMC, AS REQUIRED BY VHA DIRECTIVE 7712 FIRE PROTECTION CODE REVIEWS OF DELEGATED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential fire protection and life safety code review for a minor construction project. 2. The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), raising questions about potential cost savings. 3. A short performance period of 21 days suggests a focused, task-specific engagement. 4. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs for this specific service. 5. The contractor, Above Group Inc., is tasked with ensuring compliance with VHA Directive 7712. 6. This contract represents a small expenditure within the broader context of VAMC facility maintenance and upgrades.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7,832.63 for a 21-day fire protection review appears reasonable for a specialized service. However, without comparable contract data for similar VAMC projects or specific code review services, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for this specific task. Benchmarking against industry standards for engineering consulting services in fire safety would be beneficial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. The rationale for not competing this service is not detailed, which could limit opportunities for competitive pricing and potentially higher costs for the government. The absence of multiple bidders means the government did not benefit from a range of proposals and price points.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution available in the market for this essential safety review.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the patients and staff at the Kansas City VAMC, who will benefit from an independent review ensuring fire safety compliance. The service delivered is a critical code review, ensuring adherence to VHA Directive 7712 for construction projects. The geographic impact is localized to the Kansas City VAMC facility in Missouri. There are no significant workforce implications directly tied to this specific, short-term contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition for a service that could potentially be sourced competitively.
Limited transparency on the justification for a sole-source award.
Short contract duration may indicate a need for more comprehensive or ongoing services not captured here.

Positive Signals

Focus on a critical safety compliance requirement (fire protection and life safety).
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract is for a specific, defined task (code review for a minor project).

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector, specifically focusing on specialized areas like fire protection and life safety code compliance, is crucial for maintaining safe and operational federal facilities. This contract falls within the broader category of professional services supporting infrastructure management. While the dollar amount is small, such reviews are vital for regulatory adherence and risk mitigation in construction projects, aligning with industry best practices for facility management and safety.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements. Therefore, it does not appear to directly impact the small business ecosystem or provide opportunities for small business participation in this specific instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a sole-source award under SAP, the justification and award process would be subject to internal VA policies and potentially the Government Accountability Office (GAO) if protested. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature, and specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

VHA Directive 7712
Kansas City VAMC Facility Management
Federal Fire Protection Services
Engineering Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Potential lack of competitive pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $7,832.63 to ABOVE GROUP INC.. THE COMTRACTOR IS TO PROVIDE AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY CODE REVIEW FOR MINOR PROJECT #589-021 AT THE KANSAS CITY VAMC, AS REQUIRED BY VHA DIRECTIVE 7712 FIRE PROTECTION CODE REVIEWS OF DELEGATED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

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 $7,832.63.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-23.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis rather than through competition?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). This suggests it was likely awarded without soliciting multiple offers. The specific justification for this sole-source award is not detailed in the provided information. Typically, sole-source awards are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required service, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without further documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, it is impossible to ascertain the precise reason. This lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government obtained the best possible price and value for the fire protection and life safety code review services.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar fire protection and life safety code reviews for minor VAMC projects?

A direct cost comparison for this $7,832.63 contract is challenging without access to a database of similar, competitively awarded contracts for fire protection and life safety code reviews at other VAMC facilities. The contract is for a short duration (21 days) and specific to 'Minor Project #589-021'. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the project, the specific codes being reviewed, and the qualifications of the reviewer. Given it was a sole-source award, it's difficult to benchmark against market rates that would emerge from a competitive bidding process. Further analysis would require identifying comparable projects and their associated review costs.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for essential safety services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for essential safety services like fire protection and life safety code reviews is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, the government may overpay for the service. Additionally, there's a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most qualified or experienced, although this is less likely for specialized safety reviews. Transparency is also reduced, making it harder to ensure accountability and value for taxpayer money. The lack of competition can also stifle innovation and discourage new entrants into the market for government contracts.

What is the track record of Above Group Inc. in performing similar government contracts, particularly for the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The provided data does not include information on Above Group Inc.'s track record with government contracts. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases such as SAM.gov (System for Award Management) or FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System) to review past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Without this information, it's difficult to evaluate their reliability and past success in delivering similar services to the VA or other federal agencies.

What is the significance of VHA Directive 7712 in the context of this contract?

VHA Directive 7712 mandates specific requirements for fire protection code reviews of delegated construction projects within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This directive ensures that all construction and renovation projects undergo rigorous safety assessments to comply with established fire protection and life safety standards. The contract awarded to Above Group Inc. is explicitly for performing such a review for 'Minor Project #589-021' at the Kansas City VAMC, directly fulfilling the requirements outlined in this directive. Adherence to this directive is critical for maintaining a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors within VHA facilities.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C77626Q0115

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: $7,833

Exercised Options: $7,833

Current Obligation: $7,833

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline