GSA awards $20.5K for Lafayette after-hours engineering support, highlighting need for specialized facilities services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,450 ($20.4K)

Contractor: Electronic Metrology Laboratory, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-05-12

Contract Duration: 35 days

Daily Burn Rate: $584/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BPA CALL47PE5226F0062 - LAFAYETTE AFTER HOURS ENGINEER SERVICES FOR VA EHRM OPERATIONS FOR WEEK DAY AFTER HOUR & FULL WEEKEND ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR VA EHRM OPERATION CENTER EVENT AT THE LAFAYETTE BUILDING 811 VERMONT AVENUE NW WASHINGTON,DC 20571.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20571

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $20,449.7 to ELECTRONIC METROLOGY LABORATORY, LLC for work described as: BPA CALL47PE5226F0062 - LAFAYETTE AFTER HOURS ENGINEER SERVICES FOR VA EHRM OPERATIONS FOR WEEK DAY AFTER HOUR & FULL WEEKEND ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR VA EHRM OPERATION CENTER EVENT AT THE LAFAYETTE BUILDING 811 VERMONT AVENUE NW WASHINGTON,DC 20571. Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical after-hours and weekend engineering support for VA EHRM operations, ensuring continuous service delivery. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for specialized engineering services. 3. Competition level indicates a potentially competitive market for these niche services. 4. Contract duration of 35 days suggests a short-term, specific need. 5. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. aligns with the location of the VA EHRM operations center.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20,449.70 for 35 days of specialized engineering support appears reasonable given the critical nature of after-hours and weekend coverage for VA EHRM operations. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized facilities support services in the Washington D.C. area suggests that pricing is within expected ranges for on-demand, high-skill labor. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the competition type suggests a healthy market for these specialized engineering services. This approach is generally expected to yield competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by ensuring uninterrupted operations of the EHRM system. Provides essential engineering support services for the Lafayette Building in Washington D.C. Supports the continuity of critical healthcare IT infrastructure for veterans. Impacts the workforce by requiring specialized engineering skills for after-hours and weekend support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased costs if unforeseen issues require extended support beyond the initial 35-day period.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical after-hours support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for quality service.
Contract addresses a clearly defined need for specialized engineering support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of government buildings and infrastructure. The market for these services is diverse, ranging from general maintenance to highly specialized engineering support. Spending in this sector is consistent across federal agencies requiring operational facilities, with significant investment in IT infrastructure maintenance and support.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As a BPA Call, it may be part of a larger framework where small business participation is addressed at the Master BPA level. Further analysis would be needed to determine the specific impact on the small business ecosystem for this individual call.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees contracts awarded through its acquisition vehicles, including Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). Oversight mechanisms typically involve contract performance monitoring, adherence to terms and conditions, and financial accountability. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA EHRM Modernization Program
GSA Federal Buildings Fund
Facilities Engineering Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues due to reliance on a single vendor for critical support.
Need for clear performance metrics and oversight to ensure service quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $20,449.7 to ELECTRONIC METROLOGY LABORATORY, LLC. BPA CALL47PE5226F0062 - LAFAYETTE AFTER HOURS ENGINEER SERVICES FOR VA EHRM OPERATIONS FOR WEEK DAY AFTER HOUR & FULL WEEKEND ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR VA EHRM OPERATION CENTER EVENT AT THE LAFAYETTE BUILDING 811 VERMONT AVENUE NW WASHINGTON,DC 20571.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELECTRONIC METROLOGY LABORATORY, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20,449.7.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-05-12.

What is the historical spending pattern for after-hours engineering support at the Lafayette Building?

Historical spending data for after-hours engineering support specifically at the Lafayette Building for VA EHRM operations is not directly available in the provided data. However, the current award of $20,449.70 for a 35-day period suggests a recurring need for such services. To establish a pattern, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services at this location or for the VA EHRM operations center, looking at contract values, durations, and the number of solicitations over time. Without this historical context, it's difficult to determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these specialized services.

How does the cost per day of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar engineering support?

The cost per day for this contract is approximately $584.28 ($20,449.70 / 35 days). Benchmarking this against industry standards for specialized engineering support, particularly for after-hours and weekend IT operations center coverage, requires detailed market research. Factors such as the specific skill sets required (e.g., network engineering, systems administration, cybersecurity), the level of expertise, and the geographic location significantly influence daily rates. Generally, specialized IT engineering support during non-standard hours in a high-cost-of-living area like Washington D.C. can command rates in this range or higher. A more precise comparison would involve analyzing rates from other government contracts or commercial service providers offering similar on-call, high-availability engineering services.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single contractor for critical after-hours support?

Relying on a single contractor for critical after-hours engineering support presents several risks. Firstly, there's a risk of performance degradation if the contractor's key personnel become unavailable due to illness, departure, or other unforeseen circumstances. This could lead to delays in resolving critical issues, impacting the VA EHRM operations. Secondly, a lack of competition for follow-on work could lead to price increases in future contract renewals. Thirdly, if the contractor fails to meet performance standards, the government may face challenges in finding and onboarding a replacement quickly, especially for specialized skills required on short notice. Robust performance monitoring and clear contingency plans are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of ELECTRONIC METROLOGY LABORATORY, LLC in providing similar services to the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of ELECTRONIC METROLOGY LABORATORY, LLC in providing similar after-hours engineering support for VA EHRM operations is not detailed in the provided data. As a federal contractor, their performance history would typically be available through contract databases like SAM.gov or through past performance evaluations. To assess their track record, one would need to review their previous awards, contract values, contract types, and any reported performance issues or successes. Understanding their experience with critical IT infrastructure support, particularly within healthcare or similar sensitive environments, would be key to evaluating their suitability for this role.

How does this contract align with broader GSA strategies for IT infrastructure support?

This contract aligns with GSA's broader strategy of providing efficient and cost-effective support services for federal agencies, particularly in managing and maintaining critical IT infrastructure like the VA EHRM system. By utilizing a BPA call, GSA leverages existing agreements to quickly procure specialized services, reducing administrative burden and acquisition lead times. The focus on full and open competition within the BPA framework ensures that agencies receive competitive pricing. GSA's role here is to facilitate the acquisition process, allowing the VA to focus on its core mission while ensuring the operational integrity of its essential systems through reliable engineering support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47PE5226Q0028

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 998 ELM HILL PIKE, NASHVILLE, TN, 37210

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,450

Exercised Options: $20,450

Current Obligation: $20,450

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PD0322A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline