VA awards $5.5M for HTME inspection services, with Universal Consultants Inc. as the contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,514 ($5.5K)

Contractor: Universal Consultants Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-06-09

Contract Duration: 61 days

Daily Burn Rate: $90/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: HIGH TECH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (HTME) INSPECTION SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL ACQUISITION CENTER'S HIGH-TECH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ORDERING DIVISION LOCATED IN HINES, IL.

Place of Performance

Location: KENT, PORTAGE County, OHIO, 44240

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $5,513.62 to UNIVERSAL CONSULTANTS INCORPORATED for work described as: HIGH TECH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (HTME) INSPECTION SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL ACQUISITION CENTER'S HIGH-TECH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ORDERING DIVISION LOCATED IN HINES, IL. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value. 2. The contract is for inspection services, a critical component of ensuring medical equipment quality. 3. The duration of the contract is relatively short, which may limit long-term risk. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government. 5. The contractor has a presence in Ohio, indicating a potential regional focus for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.5 million for inspection services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical equipment inspection services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control. Without specific per-unit cost data, a detailed pricing assessment is limited, but the overall award seems aligned with typical service contract values.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive process likely involving multiple bids. The use of SAP suggests the total value was within the thresholds for simplified acquisition, which aims to streamline the procurement process while still encouraging competition. The number of bidders and specific competition dynamics are not detailed, but the 'competed' status is a positive indicator for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from competitive pricing, as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid on the requirement.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care at facilities serviced by the National Acquisition Center will benefit from ensured quality of high-tech medical equipment. The contract ensures the proper inspection and maintenance of critical medical devices, contributing to patient safety. Services are delivered to the National Acquisition Center, supporting its mission of procuring medical equipment for the VA. The contract may have implications for the local workforce in Hines, IL, and potentially in Ohio where the contractor is based.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP thresholds if not widely publicized.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical service could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for good value.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty.
Short contract duration limits long-term commitment and allows for re-evaluation of needs.

Sector Analysis

The market for medical equipment inspection and testing services is a specialized segment within the broader healthcare and professional services industries. This contract falls under the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' NAICS code (541380). The federal government, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs, is a significant purchaser of such services to ensure the safety and efficacy of its medical equipment. Spending in this sector is driven by regulatory requirements, patient safety protocols, and the need to maintain a high standard of care.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While this specific award may not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside, the competitive nature of the procurement under SAP could still allow for small business participation as subcontractors or prime contractors if they meet the requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the contract being competed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected. Regular performance reviews and adherence to inspection protocols would be key accountability measures.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Equipment Procurement
Medical Device Quality Assurance
Federal Testing and Inspection Services
National Acquisition Center Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) may limit visibility into the full competitive landscape.
Short contract duration could indicate a need for immediate service or a pilot program, requiring close monitoring of follow-on needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $5,513.62 to UNIVERSAL CONSULTANTS INCORPORATED. HIGH TECH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (HTME) INSPECTION SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL ACQUISITION CENTER'S HIGH-TECH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ORDERING DIVISION LOCATED IN HINES, IL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSAL CONSULTANTS INCORPORATED.

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 $5,513.62.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-06-09.

What is the track record of Universal Consultants Incorporated with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

A review of Universal Consultants Incorporated's contract history with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is crucial for assessing their reliability and performance. While this specific award is for inspection services, understanding their past performance on similar or other types of contracts with the VA can reveal patterns of success or challenges. Key areas to investigate include on-time delivery, quality of service, adherence to contract terms, and any past disputes or performance issues. A positive history with the VA suggests a lower risk for this new contract, whereas a history of issues might warrant closer monitoring and more stringent performance requirements. Without specific historical data readily available in this summary, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would be necessary to provide a comprehensive answer.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar inspection services contracts within the VA or other federal agencies?

To benchmark the value of this $5.5 million contract for High-Tech Medical Equipment (HTME) inspection services, it's essential to compare it against similar contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies. Factors such as the type of equipment inspected, the scope of services (e.g., preventative maintenance, calibration, safety checks), the geographic coverage, and the contract duration significantly influence pricing. Contracts for routine inspections of common medical devices might be priced lower per unit than specialized inspections for complex imaging or life-support systems. Analyzing the average cost per inspection, cost per equipment type, or cost per facility serviced across comparable federal contracts would provide a clearer picture of whether this award represents good value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope, which aids in comparison if the service details are consistent.

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

The primary risks associated with this HTME inspection services contract include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor (Universal Consultants Incorporated), leading to compromised equipment safety or functionality, and potential cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract is not managed effectively. Another risk is the reliance on a single contractor for a critical function, which could lead to service disruptions if the contractor faces unforeseen issues. Mitigation strategies likely include robust performance standards outlined in the contract, regular performance reviews by the VA contracting officer, and clear procedures for addressing any identified deficiencies. The competitive award process itself helps mitigate the risk of selecting an unqualified vendor. Furthermore, the relatively short duration (61 days) limits the long-term exposure to contractor performance risks.

How effective is the current approach to inspecting high-tech medical equipment within the VA?

The effectiveness of the VA's approach to inspecting high-tech medical equipment is directly tied to the quality and thoroughness of the inspection services provided under contracts like this one. The VA relies on these inspections to ensure that critical medical devices are safe, accurate, and compliant with regulatory standards, ultimately impacting patient care. Effectiveness can be measured by metrics such as the reduction in equipment-related patient safety incidents, the uptime of essential medical equipment, and successful outcomes of regulatory audits. The contract's focus on 'Testing Laboratories and Services' (NAICS 541380) suggests a standardized, professional approach. However, a comprehensive assessment of effectiveness would require analyzing the VA's internal quality control data, incident reports related to medical equipment, and feedback from clinical staff utilizing the equipment.

What has been the historical spending trend for HTME inspection services by the VA?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for High-Tech Medical Equipment (HTME) inspection services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides context for the current $5.5 million award. Understanding whether spending in this category has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable can indicate shifts in VA needs, equipment acquisition patterns, or contracting strategies. For instance, an increasing trend might suggest a growing inventory of complex medical equipment requiring more frequent or specialized inspections, or a move towards outsourcing these services. Conversely, a stable or decreasing trend could imply mature equipment lifecycles or a shift towards in-house capabilities. This specific contract's duration (61 days) suggests it might be a task order or a short-term requirement, making it important to look at broader spending patterns over several fiscal years to identify significant trends.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › INSPECTION SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 35888 CENTER RIDGE RD STE 7, N RIDGEVILLE, OH, 44039

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,514

Exercised Options: $5,514

Current Obligation: $5,514

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36H79725D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline