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 through competitive bidding under SAP, indicating a degree of market engagement. 2. The contract duration is relatively short at 61 days, suggesting a focused scope of work. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and transfer risk to the contractor. 4. The National Acquisition Center's High-Tech Medical Equipment Ordering Division is the primary beneficiary. 5. The service falls under the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' NAICS code, aligning with specialized technical support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.5 million for 61 days of inspection services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of high-tech medical equipment. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized technical inspections would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the VA has negotiated a set price, which can be advantageous if the scope is well-defined. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to industry standards for such inspections, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under SAP (Small Acquisition Procedures), which typically allows for broader competition than sole-source awards but may have streamlined processes. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of SAP suggests an effort to engage multiple potential offerors. The competitive nature, even under SAP, should contribute to price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government compared to non-competitive awards.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even if streamlined, aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by selecting the most advantageous offer. This approach helps prevent overpayment and encourages contractors to provide competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs benefits by ensuring the quality and compliance of high-tech medical equipment. Services delivered include inspections of medical equipment, crucial for patient safety and operational readiness within VA facilities. The geographic impact is centered around the National Acquisition Center in Hines, IL, but the equipment inspected may be deployed across various VA healthcare facilities. Workforce implications are minimal for the VA, as the service is contracted out, but it supports specialized inspection roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if inspection requirements are not precisely defined.
Reliance on contractor expertise for critical safety and compliance assessments.
Limited duration may necessitate follow-on contracts for ongoing needs.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps manage budget certainty.
Competitive award process suggests a focus on achieving best value.
Specialized nature of the service addresses a critical VA need.

Sector Analysis

The market for specialized technical inspection services, particularly for high-tech medical equipment, is a niche within the broader professional services sector. This contract fits within the government's need for third-party validation of equipment quality and safety. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in contracts awarded by other federal agencies or large healthcare systems requiring similar specialized testing and certification services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and the contractor is Universal Consultants Incorporated. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to meet specified inspection standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed inspection reports may be internal to the VA.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Equipment Procurement
Federal Technical Services Contracts
Healthcare Facility Maintenance and Inspection

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues due to specialized nature of service
Risk of inadequate competition if SAP limits bidder pool
Need for strong government oversight to ensure quality of inspections

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 in performing similar high-tech medical equipment inspection services for the federal government?

A review of Universal Consultants Incorporated's contract history would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any documented issues or disputes on similar contracts, and the types of medical equipment they have previously inspected. Understanding their experience with the specific types of high-tech equipment relevant to the VA's needs is crucial. A history of successful, timely, and compliant inspections would indicate a lower performance risk for this current contract. Conversely, a pattern of performance issues or contract modifications due to deficiencies could raise concerns about their capability to meet the VA's requirements effectively.

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

To benchmark the awarded price of $5.5 million for 61 days, one would need to research industry pricing for specialized technical inspections of high-tech medical equipment. This involves identifying comparable services offered by other private sector companies or government contracts awarded to different entities. Factors such as the complexity of the equipment, the scope of the inspection (e.g., functional testing, calibration, safety checks), and the geographic location of the equipment would influence pricing. If available data suggests that this contract's cost per day or per inspection is significantly higher than market rates, it could indicate a potential value-for-money concern. Conversely, if it aligns with or is below market rates, it suggests a favorable outcome from the competitive process.

What are the specific risks associated with contracting for high-tech medical equipment inspection services, and how are they mitigated in this contract?

Key risks in contracting for high-tech medical equipment inspection services include the potential for inaccurate assessments leading to patient safety issues, contractor non-compliance with inspection protocols, and delays impacting equipment availability. Mitigation strategies often involve stringent contractor pre-qualification, detailed statement of work with clear performance standards, and robust government oversight. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract transfers some financial risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to perform efficiently. However, the VA must maintain strong oversight to ensure the quality and thoroughness of the inspections, potentially through review of inspection reports and random audits. The short duration might also be a risk mitigation strategy, allowing for reassessment of the contractor after a limited period.

What is the historical spending pattern for high-tech medical equipment inspection services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for HTME inspection services by the VA would involve reviewing contract databases over several fiscal years. This would reveal the total amount spent annually, the frequency of such contracts, and the primary contractors utilized. Understanding historical spending can help identify trends, potential increases or decreases in demand, and whether the VA has relied on a consistent set of providers or frequently re-competed these services. Significant fluctuations or a consistent rise in spending could warrant further investigation into the underlying drivers, such as an aging equipment inventory or expansion of VA healthcare services. It also helps in establishing a baseline for evaluating the current contract's value.

How does the use of Small Acquisition Procedures (SAP) impact the overall cost-effectiveness and competition for this type of specialized service?

Small Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for acquisitions valued below certain thresholds, aiming for greater efficiency. While SAP can expedite contract awards, its impact on cost-effectiveness and competition can be mixed. On one hand, simplified procedures might reduce administrative burden and potentially lead to faster service delivery. On the other hand, the specific requirements and limitations of SAP might inadvertently restrict the pool of potential bidders compared to full and open competition, potentially leading to less robust price discovery. For specialized services like HTME inspections, where the market may be limited, SAP could still yield competitive results if the requirements are well-defined and advertised appropriately within that framework. The VA's specific implementation of SAP for this contract would determine the extent of competition achieved.

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