VA Awards $1.5M for Wireless Medical Telemetry Services, Sole-Source Contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,140 ($15.1K)

Contractor: Outdoor Wireless Networks LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-09-18

End Date: 2026-04-13

Contract Duration: 207 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: WIRELESS MEDICAL TELEMETRY SYSTEMS FREQUENCY COORDINATION, REGISTRATION, AND ALLOCATION SERVICES FOR VA PHOENIX MEDICAL CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: AMARILLO, POTTER County, TEXAS, 79106

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $15,140 to OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC for work described as: WIRELESS MEDICAL TELEMETRY SYSTEMS FREQUENCY COORDINATION, REGISTRATION, AND ALLOCATION SERVICES FOR VA PHOENIX MEDICAL CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Outdoor Wireless Networks LLC for critical medical telemetry services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Services are essential for VA Phoenix Medical Center's operations. 4. The contract duration is 207 days, with a fixed-price structure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.514 million for approximately 7 months of service appears high when compared to typical IT or engineering service contracts of similar duration. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This procurement method may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding.

Public Impact

Ensures continuous operation of vital wireless medical telemetry systems at a major VA facility. Supports patient care by maintaining reliable communication for medical devices. Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to lack of competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 73 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition
High per-unit cost potential without benchmarks

Positive Signals

Essential service for patient care
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). Spending in this sector can vary widely, but specialized wireless services for critical infrastructure like medical centers often command premium pricing, especially when procured non-competitively.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The sole-source nature of the award further reduces opportunities for small business participation in this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source justification should be thoroughly reviewed by oversight bodies to ensure it was appropriate and that all avenues for competition were explored. Accountability for the pricing and necessity of the service rests with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment
Limited transparency in pricing
Dependency on a single vendor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $15,140 to OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC. WIRELESS MEDICAL TELEMETRY SYSTEMS FREQUENCY COORDINATION, REGISTRATION, AND ALLOCATION SERVICES FOR VA PHOENIX MEDICAL CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC.

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 $15,140.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-18. End: 2026-04-13.

What specific technical requirements necessitate a sole-source award for these wireless telemetry services?

The justification for a sole-source award typically hinges on unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or an urgent need where only one vendor can fulfill the requirement. For wireless medical telemetry, this could involve specific frequency coordination, integration with existing VA infrastructure, or specialized security protocols that only Outdoor Wireless Networks LLC possesses or can provide within the required timeframe.

How does the VA ensure fair and reasonable pricing for sole-source contracts, especially for specialized services like wireless medical telemetry?

The VA should employ robust price analysis techniques, even for sole-source awards. This involves comparing the proposed price to historical prices for similar services, analyzing cost data provided by the contractor, and potentially using independent government cost estimates. The absence of competition means the burden is on the VA to validate the reasonableness of the price.

What is the long-term strategy for ensuring competitive sourcing of wireless medical telemetry services to potentially reduce costs?

The VA should explore strategies to foster future competition. This might involve breaking down the service into smaller, more competitive components, developing standardized requirements that allow multiple vendors to bid, or investing in internal capabilities. A market research effort should be conducted to identify potential new vendors or alternative solutions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 21515 RIDGETOP CIR STE 300, STERLING, VA, 20166

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,140

Exercised Options: $15,140

Current Obligation: $15,140

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10A21D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline