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: GARNER, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27529

State: North Carolina 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 is a delivery order under a larger unspecified contract. 3. The contract duration is relatively short at 61 days. 4. The contractor, Universal Consultants Incorporated, has secured this award. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 6. The award was made under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 7. The service is categorized under Testing Laboratories and Services. 8. The geographic location for services is Hines, IL.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.5 million for a 61-day period appears high on a daily basis. Without more context on the scope and complexity of the high-tech medical equipment being inspected, it is difficult to benchmark the value effectively. Comparing this to similar inspection contracts for medical equipment would be necessary for a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the overall cost-effectiveness requires further investigation into the specific services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically implies a competitive process for awards below a certain threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the 'full-and-open' competition level suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition suggests that taxpayers are likely to benefit from competitive pricing, as multiple vendors vied for the contract, driving down costs.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits through the assurance of quality and safety of its high-tech medical equipment. Services delivered include inspections of specialized medical devices, ensuring operational readiness and compliance. The geographic impact is concentrated in Hines, IL, where the National Acquisition Center is located. The contract supports specialized technical services, potentially impacting a small number of highly skilled inspectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The high dollar amount for a short duration raises questions about efficiency and potential overpricing.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to assess the true value and necessity of the expenditure.
The specific high-tech medical equipment being inspected is not detailed, limiting understanding of the risk involved.
The contractor's specific experience with this type of high-tech medical equipment inspection is not detailed.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, suggesting an effort to achieve fair market value.
The Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The award is for essential inspection services, contributing to the operational integrity of medical equipment.
The contractor, Universal Consultants Incorporated, has been awarded the contract, indicating some level of qualification.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on testing laboratories and services. The market for medical equipment inspection is specialized, driven by regulatory requirements and the need for expert knowledge. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a significant purchaser of medical equipment and related services, making this contract a component of their overall healthcare infrastructure spending. Benchmarking would require comparison to other contracts for similar inspection services across federal agencies or within the private sector.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and the contractor is not identified as a small business (sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Universal Consultants Incorporated, is likely a larger entity, and their subcontracting practices, if any, are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a delivery order under an unspecified contract, the original contract's oversight mechanisms would also apply. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are not publicly available through this data alone. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Equipment Procurement
Federal Testing and Inspection Services
Healthcare Technology Management
National Acquisition Center Services

Risk Flags

High Daily Cost
Lack of Specific Equipment Details
Short Contract Duration
Unspecified Parent Contract

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 specific type of high-tech medical equipment being inspected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types of high-tech medical equipment that require inspection. It broadly categorizes the service under 'HIGH TECH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (HTME) INSPECTION SERVICES'. This lack of specificity makes it challenging to fully assess the technical requirements, associated risks, and the appropriateness of the contract value. Further details would be needed from the contract's statement of work to understand the scope, such as whether it includes imaging equipment, diagnostic tools, surgical devices, or other advanced medical technology.

How does the $5.5 million cost for a 61-day contract compare to similar federal contracts for medical equipment inspection services?

A direct comparison of the $5.5 million cost for a 61-day contract is difficult without knowing the precise scope and complexity of the inspection services. However, on a daily basis, this contract represents approximately $90,200 per day ($5,513,620 / 61 days). This daily rate appears high for standard inspection services and suggests either highly specialized equipment, extensive scope, or potentially a premium for urgent or critical services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized medical equipment inspection, particularly those awarded by the VA or other large healthcare providers, would be necessary to determine if this represents good value for money or if it is an outlier.

What is the track record of Universal Consultants Incorporated in providing high-tech medical equipment inspection services to the federal government?

The provided data identifies Universal Consultants Incorporated as the awardee but does not offer details on their specific track record or past performance in providing high-tech medical equipment inspection services. To assess their suitability and reliability, a review of their contract history with the federal government, client feedback, and any past performance evaluations would be crucial. Understanding their experience with similar equipment and the scale of previous contracts would provide insight into their capabilities and potential risks associated with this award.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks include the high daily cost, the lack of specificity regarding the equipment being inspected, and the short duration which might indicate urgent needs or a limited scope. If the inspection is critical for patient safety, any delays or inaccuracies could have severe consequences. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust quality assurance processes by the contractor, clear performance standards in the contract, and active oversight by the VA. The firm fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, but performance risks remain.

How does the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' NAICS code (541380) align with the described contract for medical equipment inspection?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380, 'Testing Laboratories and Services,' is appropriate for this contract. This code covers establishments primarily engaged in providing physical and biological testing services. Inspecting high-tech medical equipment to ensure its functionality, safety, and compliance with standards falls squarely within the scope of testing and laboratory services. It indicates that the contractor is expected to possess the technical expertise and facilities to perform such specialized evaluations.

What is the significance of the contract being a 'Delivery Order' under an unspecified contract?

A 'Delivery Order' typically signifies that this contract is a task order issued against a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar type of multiple-award contract. This means that the underlying contract vehicle was already competed and established, and this specific order represents a defined need for services within the scope of that larger vehicle. The significance is that the competition for the overall vehicle likely occurred earlier, and this order is a specific call for services, potentially streamlining the procurement process for this particular requirement.

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