VA awards $5.5M contract for HTME inspection services, with a 90-day duration

Contract Overview

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

Contractor: Universal Consultants Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-06-10

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: FREDERICKSBURG, SPOTSYLVANIA County, VIRGINIA, 22408

State: Virginia 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 value appears reasonable for specialized inspection services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low, given the fixed-price nature and short duration. 4. Performance context is within the National Acquisition Center's operational scope. 5. Sector positioning is within professional, scientific, and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.5 million for 61 days of service appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized high-tech medical equipment inspection. Benchmarking against similar contracts for inspection services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive process likely involving multiple bidders. The use of SAP suggests the total value was within the threshold for simplified acquisitions, which generally promotes fair competition and price discovery among qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed contract under SAP generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards, as it leverages market forces to achieve a fair and reasonable price.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs by ensuring the quality and safety of high-tech medical equipment. Services delivered include inspections of medical equipment, crucial for patient care. Geographic impact is focused on the Hines, IL location of the National Acquisition Center. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving specialized inspectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Contract competed under SAP, indicating a potentially robust bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty.
Short duration (61 days) limits long-term financial exposure.
Contract awarded to Universal Consultants Incorporated, a known entity in the sector.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on testing laboratories and services (NAICS 541380). The market for medical equipment inspection is specialized, requiring expertise in both technical equipment and regulatory compliance. Spending in this area is driven by the need to ensure the reliability and safety of critical healthcare infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem. However, the use of SAP can sometimes facilitate participation by smaller, agile businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Equipment Procurement
Healthcare Technology Services
Federal Inspection Services
National Acquisition Center Contracts

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: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-06-10.

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

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Universal Consultants Incorporated's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of disputes or issues. Understanding their past performance on similar VA contracts, particularly those involving medical equipment inspection, would provide insight into their reliability and capability to fulfill the current contract requirements effectively. Without specific past performance data, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record.

How does the awarded price compare to similar inspection services for high-tech medical equipment?

Benchmarking the $5.5 million award for 61 days of service against comparable contracts is crucial for a value-for-money assessment. This would involve identifying contracts with similar scope, duration, and service type (e.g., inspection, testing, calibration) for high-tech medical equipment awarded by other federal agencies or even within the VA. Factors such as the specific types of equipment inspected, the required expertise, and geographic location can influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests the price is reasonable for specialized services, but a detailed comparison is needed to confirm if it represents excellent, good, or fair value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract appear to be relatively low, primarily due to its firm-fixed-price nature and short duration (61 days). Potential risks could include contractor performance issues, such as delays or failure to meet inspection standards, which could impact the VA's ability to ensure equipment readiness. Another risk could be unforeseen technical challenges during inspection that might require additional resources or expertise not initially scoped. However, the limited timeframe and fixed price mitigate significant financial risks for the government. Ensuring clear performance standards and robust oversight are key to managing these potential risks.

How effective is the VA's current process for inspecting high-tech medical equipment?

The effectiveness of the VA's current process for inspecting high-tech medical equipment is indirectly supported by this contract award. The need for specialized inspection services suggests the VA recognizes the critical importance of maintaining the safety and functionality of its medical technology. The contract's focus on 'High-Tech Medical Equipment' implies a commitment to ensuring advanced equipment meets necessary standards. However, a comprehensive assessment of the process's effectiveness would require data on equipment failure rates, patient safety incidents related to equipment malfunction, and the timeliness and thoroughness of past inspections conducted under similar contracts. This contract represents one component of the VA's broader equipment management strategy.

What are the historical spending patterns for HTME inspection services at the VA?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for High-Tech Medical Equipment (HTME) inspection services at the VA would provide valuable context for the current $5.5 million award. This would involve examining expenditure trends over the past several fiscal years, identifying the frequency and value of similar contracts, and noting any significant fluctuations. Understanding whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing can indicate changes in the VA's needs, equipment inventory, or contracting strategies. It would also help determine if this award represents a typical investment or a deviation from historical norms, potentially signaling new initiatives or increased demand for these services.

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