VA awards $5.5M for HTME Inspection Services to Universal Consultants Inc

Contract Overview

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

Contractor: Universal Consultants Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-06-08

Contract Duration: 62 days

Daily Burn Rate: $89/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

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: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19104

State: Pennsylvania 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 to Universal Consultants Inc. for $5.51 million. 2. Services are for High-Tech Medical Equipment (HTME) inspection. 3. Contract is a Delivery Order under a larger agreement. 4. The contract duration is 62 days. 5. The award was competed under SAP.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating a clear understanding of scope and cost. The award value of $5.51 million for a 62-day service period appears reasonable for specialized inspection services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold. This method generally promotes price discovery and fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award under SAP aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary inspection services.

Public Impact

Ensures the quality and safety of high-tech medical equipment used by veterans. Supports the National Acquisition Center's mission to procure essential medical supplies. Provides critical inspection services to maintain operational readiness of medical facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 89 / 10

Positive Signals

Competitive award
Firm Fixed Price contract type
Clear scope of work

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically testing laboratories. The spending benchmark for this sector varies widely based on specialization and contract duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. The use of delivery orders under a larger agreement suggests a structured oversight process.

Related Government Programs

Testing Laboratories and Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may limit contractor availability.
Lack of detail on specific HTME equipment inspected.
No small business set-aside noted.

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: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-06-08.

What is the specific scope of 'High-Tech Medical Equipment' inspections covered by this contract?

The specific scope of 'High-Tech Medical Equipment' (HTME) inspections is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such inspections would cover a range of complex medical devices, including imaging equipment, diagnostic tools, and life-support systems. The contract likely specifies the types of equipment, inspection protocols, and reporting requirements.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration contract for critical inspection services?

A short duration (62 days) for critical inspection services carries risks such as potential delays if the contractor encounters unforeseen issues or if the scope needs adjustment. It could also limit the pool of qualified contractors willing to bid for such a brief engagement, potentially impacting competition and price. Ensuring adequate transition and knowledge transfer is also crucial.

How does the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' NAICS code (541380) benchmark against similar VA contracts?

The NAICS code 541380, 'Testing Laboratories and Services,' is broad. Benchmarking this $5.51 million, 62-day contract requires comparing it to similar specialized medical equipment inspection services, not just general testing. The VA's historical spending on HTME inspections would provide a more relevant benchmark for evaluating value and pricing effectiveness.

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