VA awards $575K task order for granite inscription services to Colorado River Stone & Granite

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $57,452 ($57.5K)

Contractor: Colorado River Stone & Granite

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-10-01

End Date: 2023-09-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $79/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR OFFSITE INSCRIPTION PACIFIC OPT 2

Place of Performance

Location: HONOLULU, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96801

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $57,452 to COLORADO RIVER STONE & GRANITE for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR OFFSITE INSCRIPTION PACIFIC OPT 2 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for granite inscription services, indicating a need for specialized memorial or identification products. 2. The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a relatively small dollar value or specific procurement pathway. 3. The award to a single vendor, Colorado River Stone & Granite, warrants examination of the competition dynamics. 4. The duration of the contract (729 days) provides a context for the ongoing service requirement. 5. The fixed-price contract type suggests that cost risks are largely borne by the contractor. 6. The geographic location of the award (Hawaii) may indicate a specific regional need for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $574,520 for a task order over two years for granite inscription services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized manufacturing and installation. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for memorial or monument work would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., number of inscriptions, size of granite), a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests the agency sought cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is often used for procurements below certain thresholds or when specific circumstances allow for a streamlined process. This level of competition may not always yield the most competitive pricing, but it can be efficient for smaller value contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can sometimes mean less aggressive pricing than what might be achieved through a broader bidding process. However, it also allows for quicker acquisition of needed goods and services.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs benefits by acquiring necessary inscription services, likely for memorials, headstones, or facility identification. The services delivered involve the manufacturing and potentially installation of inscribed granite products. The geographic impact is focused on Hawaii, suggesting a specific need within that state for VA-related projects. The contract supports the manufacturing sector, specifically stone product manufacturing, and potentially local jobs in Hawaii.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may have restricted price discovery.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes precise value assessment challenging.
Geographic concentration in Hawaii could limit broader market participation.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the VA.
Award to a specialized manufacturer ensures relevant expertise.
SAP allows for efficient procurement of necessary services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the 'Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing' sector. This industry involves quarrying, cutting, shaping, and finishing stone for various applications, including construction, monuments, and decorative items. Government spending in this sector often supports infrastructure projects, memorial sites, and facility maintenance. The market size for specialized stone inscription services can vary significantly based on demand for commemorative projects and government facility needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a task order under SAP, it's possible that small businesses were solicited, but the prime contractor is not identified as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting office and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified goods and services. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Memorial Affairs
Government Procurement of Memorial and Monument Services
Construction Materials and Services Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Detailed Scope
Potential for Price Not Optimized

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $57,452 to COLORADO RIVER STONE & GRANITE. TASK ORDER FOR OFFSITE INSCRIPTION PACIFIC OPT 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COLORADO RIVER STONE & GRANITE.

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 $57,452.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2023-09-30.

What is the specific nature and quantity of granite inscription services required under this task order?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature or quantity of granite inscription services. It is identified as a 'TASK ORDER FOR OFFSITE INSCRIPTION PACIFIC OPT 2'. This suggests services related to engraving or carving text and designs onto granite, likely for memorials, headstones, or identification markers. The 'PACIFIC OPT 2' might indicate a specific project or region within the Pacific area. Without further details from the contract's statement of work, it's impossible to quantify the exact volume of work, such as the number of inscriptions, the size of granite pieces, or the complexity of the designs.

How does the awarded price of $574,520 compare to market rates for similar granite inscription services?

Benchmarking the $574,520 award for granite inscription services against market rates is challenging without specific details on the scope of work. Factors influencing market rates include the type and size of granite, the complexity and depth of inscriptions, the number of items, and any associated installation or delivery costs. Given this is a task order for services over approximately two years (October 2021 to September 2023), the annual value is roughly $287,260. This figure needs to be compared with industry pricing for similar government or commercial projects in Hawaii or the broader Pacific region. The 'limited' competition aspect under SAP also suggests that the pricing might not reflect the most aggressive market competition.

What was the bidding process under SAP, and how many bids were received?

The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). SAP is a streamlined procurement process used by federal agencies for acquisitions below certain dollar thresholds (typically $250,000, though this can vary based on agency and circumstances). While 'competed' implies more than one offer was solicited, SAP procedures often involve a limited number of quotes or proposals, rather than the extensive bidding process of full and open competition. The exact number of bids received is not provided in the data, but it is likely to be fewer than a full solicitation, potentially impacting the level of price discovery achieved.

What is the track record of Colorado River Stone & Granite with government contracts?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of Colorado River Stone & Granite with government contracts. To assess their performance, one would need to review their contract history, including past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract modifications. This information is typically available through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and past success in fulfilling government requirements.

Are there any known risks associated with this type of contract or the contractor?

Potential risks associated with this contract include the possibility of scope creep if the 'OFFSITE INSCRIPTION PACIFIC OPT 2' is not clearly defined, leading to cost overruns despite the fixed-price nature. Performance risks could arise if the contractor faces challenges in sourcing specific granite types or meeting quality standards for inscriptions. Given the limited competition, there's a risk that the pricing may not be fully optimized. Without specific performance history for Colorado River Stone & Granite, there's an inherent risk related to their capacity and reliability in fulfilling the contract requirements to the satisfaction of the VA.

How does this spending compare to other VA contracts for similar memorial or inscription services?

Comparing this $574,520 task order to other VA contracts for similar services requires access to historical spending data for memorialization, headstones, and inscription services across the VA. The VA procures such services nationwide, often through various contract vehicles and task orders. The value of this specific task order appears moderate, especially considering it spans two years. Larger, multi-year IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) contracts often exist for national cemetery support, which might involve similar inscription work but at a larger scale. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing the volume, scope, and pricing of other VA contracts within the same or similar categories.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing › Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MISCELLANEOUS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1450 2ND AVE, YUMA, AZ, 85364

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $57,452

Exercised Options: $57,452

Current Obligation: $57,452

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C78620D0041

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline