Department of Energy awards $3.8M for garage door replacement, highlighting potential for cost efficiencies in building maintenance
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $38,260 ($38.3K)
Contractor: Brazos Valley Enterprise LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2026-04-09
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 82 days
Daily Burn Rate: $467/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 20
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: DL ELEC BUILDING GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT & ADDITION
Place of Performance
Location: DEVILS LAKE, RAMSEY County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58301
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $38,260 to BRAZOS VALLEY ENTERPRISE LLC for work described as: DL ELEC BUILDING GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT & ADDITION Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized building equipment services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially efficient price discovery process. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm-fixed-price contract type. 4. Performance context is limited to building equipment repair and installation. 5. Sector positioning is within the general building maintenance and repair industry.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3.8 million for garage door replacement and addition appears within a reasonable range for specialized building equipment services. Benchmarking against similar projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. However, without detailed scope of work and specific component costs, a definitive value assessment is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for procurements below a certain threshold. With 20 offers received, the level of competition suggests that multiple vendors were interested and capable of performing the work. This broad participation generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition indicates that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as vendors vied to offer the best price and value to secure the contract.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy facilities will benefit from improved garage door functionality and safety. Services include replacement and addition of garage doors, enhancing operational efficiency. Geographic impact is localized to the facility where the work is performed in North Dakota. Workforce implications include potential employment for skilled trades in the construction and installation sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if unforeseen structural issues are discovered during replacement.
- Dependence on contractor's ability to source specific parts within the project timeline.
- Ensuring compliance with all relevant building codes and safety standards.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty for the government.
- Competitive bidding process likely secured a fair market price.
- Clear contract duration (82 days) aids in project management and scheduling.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader construction and building maintenance sector, specifically focusing on specialized equipment like garage doors. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 238290, 'Other Building Equipment Contractors,' encompasses a range of services beyond basic construction. Spending in this area is consistent with the ongoing need for facility upkeep and modernization across federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
While the contract was competed under SAP, it is not explicitly noted as a small business set-aside. The presence of 20 offers suggests that small businesses may have participated in the competition. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement and potential subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Energy's contracting officer and project managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics are not always publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
- Department of Energy Facility Upgrades
- Construction and Repair Services
- Building Equipment Installation
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen structural issues arise.
- Dependence on contractor's supply chain for timely material acquisition.
Tags
department-of-energy, building-equipment-contractors, garage-door-replacement, purchase-order, firm-fixed-price, competed-under-sap, north-dakota, facility-maintenance, construction-services, simplified-acquisition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $38,260 to BRAZOS VALLEY ENTERPRISE LLC. DL ELEC BUILDING GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT & ADDITION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BRAZOS VALLEY ENTERPRISE LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $38,260.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the typical cost range for garage door replacement and addition projects of this scale in North Dakota?
Determining a precise cost range for garage door replacement and addition projects of this scale in North Dakota without specific details on the size, type, and complexity of the doors, as well as the extent of any 'addition' work, is challenging. However, federal contracts often include project management, overhead, and profit margins that can differ from private sector projects. Given the $3.8 million award for a project with a duration of 82 days and 20 offers, it suggests a significant scope of work, potentially involving multiple large industrial or specialized doors, or extensive structural modifications. For context, typical commercial garage door replacements can range from a few thousand dollars per door to tens of thousands, depending on size, material, and features. An 'addition' could imply structural work, further increasing costs. The competitive nature of this award, however, implies that the price offered was deemed fair and reasonable by the Department of Energy relative to the proposed scope.
How does the number of offers (20) compare to similar federal contracts for building equipment services?
Receiving 20 offers for a federal contract, especially under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicates a healthy level of competition. For building equipment services, particularly those that are not highly specialized or require unique security clearances, 20 offers is a strong response. Contracts awarded through full and open competition often see a wide range of bidders, but SAP is designed to encourage competition while streamlining the process for smaller dollar values. A higher number of offers generally suggests that the market is aware of the opportunity and that the requirements were clearly defined, attracting a diverse pool of potential contractors. This contrasts with sole-source or limited competition awards where fewer bidders are involved, potentially leading to higher prices due to reduced market pressure.
What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for garage door services?
While firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally favored by the government for cost control, they do carry certain risks, primarily for the contractor. For this garage door project, the main risk for Brazos Valley Enterprise LLC is that unforeseen issues during the replacement or addition could increase their costs beyond what was anticipated in their fixed price. For example, discovering structural damage to the building that requires extensive repair before the new door can be installed, or encountering supply chain issues that significantly inflate material costs, could erode the contractor's profit margin. The government's risk is generally lower in terms of cost overruns, but there's a potential risk that the contractor might cut corners on quality or scope to protect their profit if unexpected cost increases arise, although the government's quality assurance measures aim to mitigate this.
What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Energy on building equipment maintenance and repair?
Analyzing the Department of Energy's (DOE) historical spending on building equipment maintenance and repair requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Generally, federal agencies allocate significant portions of their budgets to facility operations and maintenance, which includes repairs and upgrades to essential building systems like HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and, in this case, garage doors. Spending patterns can fluctuate based on the age of facilities, deferred maintenance backlogs, and specific modernization initiatives. The DOE, managing numerous research laboratories, power administrations, and administrative facilities, would likely have consistent, substantial spending in this category. This specific $3.8 million award represents a portion of that ongoing expenditure, aimed at ensuring the operational integrity and safety of its infrastructure.
How does the NAICS code 238290 (Other Building Equipment Contractors) typically perform in terms of contract awards and competition?
The NAICS code 238290, 'Other Building Equipment Contractors,' covers a diverse range of specialized building services, including the installation and repair of various equipment systems not elsewhere classified. Contractors under this code often compete for federal contracts related to facility maintenance, upgrades, and specialized installations. Competition within this sector can vary widely depending on the specific service required. For routine maintenance or straightforward installations like standard garage doors, competition might be high, as seen with the 20 offers in this case. However, for highly specialized or technically complex building equipment, the pool of qualified contractors may be smaller, leading to less competition. Federal agencies frequently procure services under this NAICS code to maintain their vast inventory of buildings and infrastructure.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Other Building Equipment Contractors
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 89503426QWA001171
Offers Received: 20
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 365 WAYSIDE STE 2, WACO, TX, 76705
Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $38,260
Exercised Options: $38,260
Current Obligation: $38,260
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-09
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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