VA awards $1.37M contract for dose monitoring software to Agfa Healthcare Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $137,401 ($137.4K)

Contractor: Agfa Healthcare Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-04-02

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $377/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: AGFA DOSEMONITOR AGGREGATION AND RADIATION EXPOSURE MONITORING REGISTRY ENTERPRISE DOSE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE LICENSES MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: CARLSTADT, BERGEN County, NEW JERSEY, 07072

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $137,400.59 to AGFA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION for work described as: AGFA DOSEMONITOR AGGREGATION AND RADIATION EXPOSURE MONITORING REGISTRY ENTERPRISE DOSE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE LICENSES MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about price competition. 2. Limited competition may lead to above-market pricing for essential radiation exposure monitoring. 3. Contract duration of 3 years suggests a stable, ongoing need for this service. 4. The award is for software licenses and maintenance, indicating a reliance on existing systems. 5. Geographic location of the contractor in New Jersey may not align with VA facility distribution. 6. The contract's value is relatively small in the context of overall federal IT spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if the $1.37 million price represents a fair market value for dose monitoring software licenses and maintenance. The contract's fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competition limits the government's ability to secure the best possible pricing. Further analysis would require comparing this to similar sole-source awards for comparable software or assessing the contractor's pricing history.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of Veterans Affairs did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required goods or services, or in cases of urgent need. The absence of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through a bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium for this software due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without multiple offers, the VA could not leverage market forces to drive down the price.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care at VA facilities will benefit from accurate radiation exposure monitoring. The software ensures compliance with safety regulations for radiation-emitting equipment. Healthcare professionals using radiation-emitting equipment will have access to necessary monitoring tools. The contract supports the operational efficiency of VA medical centers by providing essential software. Workforce implications include ensuring healthcare staff have the tools to manage radiation safety.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to sole-source justification.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical dose monitoring software creates potential supply chain risk.

Positive Signals

Ensures continued availability of essential radiation exposure monitoring for veterans.
Provides a stable, fixed-price contract for software licenses and maintenance.
Supports compliance with radiation safety regulations within VA facilities.

Sector Analysis

The federal IT sector, particularly within healthcare, sees significant spending on specialized software for patient care and safety. Contracts for medical imaging, monitoring, and data management are common. This contract for dose monitoring software fits within the broader category of health IT solutions, aimed at improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other VA or DoD contracts for similar health information systems or specialized medical software.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to Agfa Healthcare Corporation, a large business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award. The focus on a sole-source award to a large incumbent vendor typically limits the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, requiring Agfa Healthcare Corporation to deliver specified software licenses and maintenance. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with justifications typically being internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Electronic Health Record (EHR) Modernization
Medical Imaging and Informatics Systems
Radiation Safety and Compliance Programs
Federal Health IT Spending

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Potential for above-market pricing
Lack of competitive transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $137,400.59 to AGFA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION. AGFA DOSEMONITOR AGGREGATION AND RADIATION EXPOSURE MONITORING REGISTRY ENTERPRISE DOSE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE LICENSES MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGFA HEALTHCARE CORPORATION.

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 $137,400.59.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-04-02.

What is Agfa Healthcare Corporation's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies?

Agfa Healthcare Corporation has a history of contracting with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal entities. Their involvement often centers around medical imaging, IT solutions, and related services. Analyzing past performance reviews, contract modifications, and any disputes or terminations would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness. For instance, examining previous contracts for similar software or services with the VA could reveal patterns in delivery, cost overruns, or user satisfaction. A comprehensive review would also look at their performance with agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD) or Health and Human Services (HHS) to gauge broader federal experience and identify any recurring issues or successes.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar dose monitoring software solutions in the market, especially considering it's a sole-source award?

Direct price comparison for this sole-source contract is inherently difficult, as competitive bidding is absent. Typically, sole-source awards may result in higher prices than competitively bid contracts. To assess value, one would need to benchmark against similar software solutions procured through competitive means by other federal agencies or large healthcare systems. This would involve identifying contracts for dose monitoring or radiation exposure registry software with comparable features and user bases. Additionally, examining Agfa Healthcare Corporation's pricing for similar products in the commercial market, if publicly available, could offer insights. However, without a competitive process, the VA has limited leverage to negotiate the lowest possible price, making a definitive value assessment challenging.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical health IT infrastructure like dose monitoring software?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical health IT infrastructure include elevated costs due to a lack of price competition, potential for vendor lock-in, and reduced incentive for the vendor to innovate or provide superior service. For dose monitoring software, a sole-source award means the VA is reliant on Agfa Healthcare Corporation, potentially limiting flexibility if better or more cost-effective solutions emerge. There's also a risk that the vendor might not prioritize this contract if they have more lucrative opportunities elsewhere, potentially impacting support or updates. Furthermore, the absence of a competitive process can obscure potential vulnerabilities or inefficiencies in the chosen solution that might have been identified during a multi-vendor evaluation.

What is the expected effectiveness of the AGFA DOSEMONITOR software in managing radiation exposure registries for the VA?

The AGFA DOSEMONITOR software is designed to aggregate and manage radiation exposure data, which is crucial for maintaining accurate registries for healthcare professionals and patients. Its effectiveness for the VA would depend on its ability to integrate with existing VA systems, accurately capture data from various radiation-emitting devices, and provide robust reporting capabilities for compliance and safety monitoring. The contract's duration suggests the VA anticipates continued effectiveness and utility from this system. However, actual effectiveness is best measured by its performance in reducing administrative burden, improving data accuracy, ensuring regulatory compliance, and contributing to patient and staff safety over the contract period.

How has the VA's spending on dose monitoring software evolved over the past five years, and does this contract represent a significant change?

Analyzing the VA's spending on dose monitoring software over the past five years would require access to historical contract data. Without specific figures, it's difficult to determine the exact evolution. However, given the increasing focus on patient safety, regulatory compliance, and the use of advanced medical technologies, it's plausible that spending in this area has remained stable or increased. This $1.37 million contract for a three-year period suggests a consistent, ongoing need for such services. Whether it represents a significant change would depend on the total historical spending; if previous contracts were smaller or awarded differently (e.g., competitively), this sole-source award might indicate a shift in procurement strategy or a recognition of unique capabilities by Agfa Healthcare Corporation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C10B26Q0178

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Agfa-Gevaert

Address: 580 GOTHAM PKWY, CARLSTADT, NJ, 07072

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $777,930

Exercised Options: $137,401

Current Obligation: $137,401

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline