VA awards $5.5M contract for HTME inspection services, with a 62-day duration

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: 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: SAGINAW, SAGINAW County, MICHIGAN, 48602

State: Michigan 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 for specialized inspection services of high-tech medical equipment. 2. The contract duration is relatively short, suggesting a focused scope of work. 3. Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating a focus on healthcare infrastructure. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380 points to testing laboratories and services. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which provides cost certainty. 6. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a smaller value or specific procurement pathway.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.5 million for 62 days of service appears reasonable for specialized inspection of high-tech medical equipment. Without specific benchmarks for this niche service, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor has priced the services to cover all anticipated costs and profit, which can be advantageous for the government if the scope is well-defined. The short duration implies a focused effort, potentially for a specific project or evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition than sole-source or limited solicitations, though it may not involve the full breadth of public advertising seen in larger procurements. The number of bidders is not specified, but SAP is designed to encourage competition for procurements below certain dollar thresholds. This method aims to balance efficiency with fair opportunity.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally leads to better price discovery and value for taxpayers compared to non-competitive awards, as it allows multiple vendors to bid on the requirement.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from ensured quality and functionality of high-tech medical equipment used in their care. The National Acquisition Center will receive critical inspection services to maintain its medical equipment inventory. The services are geographically focused on Hines, IL, where the National Acquisition Center is located. The contract supports the specialized workforce within the testing and inspection services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the specialized nature of high-tech medical equipment.
Dependence on a single awardee for critical inspection services.
Ensuring the contractor's personnel possess the most up-to-date certifications for advanced medical equipment.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded under a competitive procedure, suggesting potential for good value.
Short duration may indicate a well-defined and manageable scope of work.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector, specifically under 'Testing Laboratories and Services.' The market for specialized inspection of high-tech medical equipment is niche, often requiring specific certifications and expertise. Spending in this area is driven by the need to ensure the safety, efficacy, and compliance of critical healthcare technology, particularly within government healthcare systems like the VA. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within contracts for medical equipment maintenance, calibration, and quality assurance services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not specify small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. While SAP can sometimes include set-asides, the absence of explicit information suggests it may not have been a primary focus for this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had a fair opportunity to compete or if subcontracting opportunities were leveraged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers responsible for the National Acquisition Center. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability regarding cost. Transparency would be enhanced by public contract databases, and any specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the VA's internal policies and the nature of any potential issues arising from the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Equipment Procurement
Healthcare Technology Assessment
Medical Device Quality Assurance
Federal Laboratory Testing Services

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate a need for rapid deployment or a specific, time-bound project.
Reliance on SAP could mean a smaller pool of potential bidders compared to larger competitive processes.

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 typical duration for inspection services of high-tech medical equipment contracts awarded by the VA?

The typical duration for inspection services of high-tech medical equipment contracts awarded by the VA can vary significantly based on the scope and complexity of the equipment being inspected. Contracts can range from short-term, project-specific engagements lasting a few weeks or months, similar to this 62-day delivery order, to longer-term agreements spanning several years for ongoing maintenance and inspection programs. Factors influencing duration include the volume of equipment, the criticality of the inspections, the need for specialized certifications, and the overall lifecycle management strategy for the medical technology. Without more data on comparable contracts, it's difficult to establish a precise benchmark, but this 62-day period suggests a focused, potentially one-time or recurring short-term need.

How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type impact the risk for both the government and the contractor in this scenario?

A Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) contract, like the one awarded to Universal Consultants Incorporated, places the primary risk of cost overruns on the contractor. The government agrees to pay a set price regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred. This benefits the government by providing budget certainty and predictability. For the contractor, it means they must accurately estimate all costs, including labor, materials, and overhead, and build in a sufficient profit margin. If costs exceed their estimate, their profit is reduced, or they could incur a loss. Conversely, if they manage costs efficiently, their profit margin increases. The risk for the government is that the contractor might cut corners on quality to maintain profitability if the price is too low or the scope is poorly defined, though quality assurance mechanisms are in place to mitigate this.

What are the implications of competing this contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Competing this contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) implies that the procurement value likely falls below the threshold for full and open competition, which is currently $250,000 for most agencies, but can be higher for specific types of procurements or agencies. SAP is designed to streamline the acquisition process for smaller purchases, making it faster and more efficient. While SAP encourages competition, it may not involve the same level of public advertising or extensive documentation as larger procurements. This can lead to quicker award times but might limit the pool of potential bidders compared to larger, more widely advertised opportunities. The government aims to achieve fair and reasonable prices through competition within the SAP framework.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) for this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380, 'Testing Laboratories and Services,' is significant because it precisely categorizes the core function of this contract. This code indicates that the services required involve the systematic examination and testing of materials, products, or equipment to ensure quality, performance, or compliance with standards. For high-tech medical equipment (HTME), this likely includes functional testing, calibration verification, safety checks, and potentially performance validation against manufacturer specifications or regulatory requirements. This classification helps in understanding the specialized nature of the work, identifying relevant industry standards, and benchmarking against similar service contracts within the federal government and the private sector.

How does the geographic location of the National Acquisition Center in Hines, IL, influence the contract's execution?

The geographic location of the National Acquisition Center (NAC) in Hines, IL, directly influences the execution of this contract by defining the primary site for the inspection services. As the NAC is responsible for the High-Tech Medical Equipment Ordering Division, the inspection of HTME would logically occur at or be managed from this facility. This proximity likely facilitates direct oversight by VA personnel, streamlines communication between the government and the contractor (Universal Consultants Incorporated), and potentially reduces travel costs and logistical complexities associated with the inspection process. It ensures that the services are delivered where the equipment is managed or stored, directly supporting the VA's operational needs within that region.

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