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, suggesting potential for good value. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs and manage risk. 3. Short performance period of 61 days may indicate a focused, specific need. 4. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract. 5. The contractor, Universal Consultants Incorporated, has a track record with the VA. 6. The service falls under 'Testing Laboratories and Services', a standard professional service category.

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 (HTME). Without specific benchmarks for HTME inspection services, direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. The award to Universal Consultants Incorporated, a known entity in this space, suggests a degree of confidence in their ability to deliver at this price point. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and the specific equipment being inspected.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating it was likely a full and open competition for a contract valued below certain thresholds. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of SAP generally encourages broad participation. This competitive process is expected to drive price discovery and ensure the government receives a fair market price for the services rendered.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award under SAP helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from the assurance of quality and safety of high-tech medical equipment used in VA facilities. Inspection services ensure that critical medical devices are functioning correctly, supporting patient care. The contract's geographic impact is focused on Hines, IL, where the National Acquisition Center is located. The services support the operational readiness of the VA's medical infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'HTME inspection services' is not precisely defined.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical inspection services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The short duration might necessitate rapid mobilization and could limit the depth of inspection if not managed well.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks.
Competitive award process suggests a potentially strong value proposition.
The contractor's existing relationship with the VA may indicate familiarity with requirements and efficient service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on testing laboratories and services. The market for specialized medical equipment inspection is driven by regulatory compliance, patient safety, and the increasing complexity of healthcare technology. Spending in this area is crucial for healthcare providers, including federal agencies like the VA, to maintain operational integrity and meet stringent quality standards. Benchmarks for similar inspection services would typically consider the type of equipment, the scope of testing, and the required expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a competed contract, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors to Universal Consultants Incorporated, depending on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan and the nature of the services required. The absence of a small business set-aside means the primary competition was likely open to all eligible offerors, including large businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a larger contract, existing oversight mechanisms for the parent contract would likely apply. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract is suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Equipment Maintenance Contracts
Federal Healthcare Technology Procurement
National Acquisition Center Services
Testing and Certification Services

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope
Contractor performance risk
Availability of specialized personnel
Short performance period limitations

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 with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Universal Consultants Incorporated has a history of contracting with the Department of Veterans Affairs. While the provided data does not detail the full extent of their past performance, their selection for this $5.5 million contract suggests they have met the VA's requirements in previous engagements. To fully assess their track record, one would need to review past contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), the types and values of previous contracts awarded to them by the VA, and any history of disputes or performance issues. A positive performance history would indicate reliability and competence in delivering services to the VA.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar HTME inspection services?

Directly comparing the $5.5 million value for 61 days of High Tech Medical Equipment (HTME) inspection services is challenging without specific details on the scope of work, the types of equipment inspected, and the geographic coverage. However, the contract's value suggests a significant undertaking, likely involving specialized equipment and potentially a large volume of inspections. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the VA. Benchmarking would require access to data on similar contracts, considering factors like the complexity of the medical devices, the required certifications of the inspectors, and the regulatory environment governing these inspections. The relatively short duration for such a substantial value might indicate a focused, high-intensity inspection effort.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include the potential for the scope of 'HTME inspection services' to be ill-defined, leading to scope creep and cost overruns, despite the firm fixed-price structure. Performance risk exists if Universal Consultants Incorporated fails to deliver timely and accurate inspections, potentially impacting patient safety and VA operations. Given the specialized nature of HTME, there's also a risk related to the availability of qualified personnel. The short performance period could also pose a risk if unforeseen issues require extended service or if the contractor cannot mobilize resources quickly enough. Finally, reliance on a single contractor for critical services introduces a dependency risk.

How effective is the competitive bidding process for specialized services like HTME inspection?

The competitive bidding process, even under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) as indicated here, is generally effective in promoting price discovery and ensuring value for specialized services. By soliciting offers from multiple potential providers, the VA can compare technical capabilities and pricing, driving down costs and selecting the best overall value. The effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the solicitation's requirements and the evaluation criteria. For specialized services like HTME inspection, a well-defined scope and clear performance standards are crucial for bidders to provide accurate proposals and for the VA to make an informed selection, ultimately leading to effective service delivery.

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

Historical spending patterns for HTME inspection services at the VA are not detailed in the provided data. However, it is reasonable to infer that spending in this category would be consistent and potentially increasing, given the VA's continuous need to maintain and ensure the safety of its extensive medical equipment inventory. Factors influencing historical spending would include the VA's overall budget for medical equipment maintenance, technological advancements leading to new types of equipment requiring inspection, and any changes in regulatory requirements. Analyzing past VA contracts for similar services would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and awarded contractors over time.

What are the implications of the firm fixed-price contract type for this service?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is highly advantageous for the VA in this scenario. It shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, Universal Consultants Incorporated. This means the VA is obligated to pay only the agreed-upon price, regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred during performance. This provides significant budget certainty and simplifies financial management. For the contractor, it incentivizes efficiency and cost control, as any savings achieved below the fixed price directly contribute to their profit. The primary implication for the VA is predictability in spending for these critical inspection 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