VA awards $2.86M for High-Tech Medical Equipment Inspection Services to Universal Consultants Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,860 ($2.9K)

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: $46/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: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10010

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2,860 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 critical inspection services for medical equipment. 2. Competition method indicates a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Risk appears moderate given the specialized nature of the services. 4. Sector focus is on healthcare technology and related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $2.86 million for a 62-day period suggests a reasonable valuation for specialized inspection services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for HTME inspection would provide further clarity on pricing efficiency.

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 certain thresholds. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access for qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a competitive process is expected to yield fair market value, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for these essential services.

Public Impact

Ensures the safety and efficacy of high-tech medical equipment used by veterans. Supports the National Acquisition Center's mission to procure necessary medical supplies. Contributes to the operational readiness of VA healthcare facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price escalation if scope expands beyond initial 62-day period.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical, short-term service.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process.
Clear definition of services for inspection.
Fixed-price contract type controls costs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on testing laboratories and services. Spending in this area is crucial for ensuring the quality and reliability of critical medical infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was competed under SAP, it is not explicitly stated whether small businesses were specifically targeted or participated. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. The use of competitive procedures and a fixed-price contract type are positive indicators for accountability.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may limit long-term vendor relationship.
SAP competition may not yield the lowest possible price compared to full-scale bidding.
Potential for scope creep if additional inspection needs arise.
Dependence on specialized technical expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2,860 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 $2,860.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical cost per inspection for similar high-tech medical equipment?

Determining the historical cost per inspection for similar high-tech medical equipment is crucial for validating the current contract's value. Without this benchmark, it's difficult to definitively assess if $2.86 million for 62 days represents an efficient use of funds. Further data on the number and type of equipment inspected would be needed for a precise comparison.

What are the specific risks associated with Universal Consultants Incorporated's ability to perform these specialized inspections?

The primary risks associated with Universal Consultants Incorporated would involve their technical expertise, personnel availability, and adherence to inspection protocols. Given the specialized nature of high-tech medical equipment, any lapse in quality control or failure to identify critical defects could have significant patient safety implications. The short duration also poses a risk if unforeseen issues arise.

How effectively does this contract contribute to the overall mission of the National Acquisition Center?

This contract directly supports the National Acquisition Center's mission by ensuring the quality and readiness of high-tech medical equipment. By outsourcing inspection services, the NAC can focus on its core procurement functions, relying on specialized expertise to maintain equipment standards. This division of labor enhances operational efficiency and contributes to the reliable delivery of healthcare services to veterans.

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: $2,860

Exercised Options: $2,860

Current Obligation: $2,860

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36H79725D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline