VA awards $116,847 contract for State Veterans Home recognition survey, highlighting administrative consulting needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $116,847 ($116.8K)

Contractor: Ascellon Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: STATE VETERANS HOME (SVH) RECOGNITION SURVEY MAY 2026

Place of Performance

Location: HYATTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20785

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $116,847 to ASCELLON CORPORATION for work described as: STATE VETERANS HOME (SVH) RECOGNITION SURVEY MAY 2026 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Short duration (30 days) indicates a focused, specific task. 4. Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs. 5. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a niche service requirement. 6. Identifies a need for external expertise in surveying and recognition processes.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $116,847 for a one-month survey project appears reasonable for specialized administrative consulting. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale consulting engagements for government agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure further supports value by capping potential cost overruns. The specific nature of a 'State Veterans Home Recognition Survey' implies a need for expert knowledge that justifies the expenditure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. While the number of bidders is not specified, this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The VA's approach suggests a commitment to exploring the market for the best value and expertise for this specific survey requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for the recognition survey, preventing potential overspending associated with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

Veterans residing in State Veterans Homes will benefit from the improved recognition and potential quality enhancements resulting from the survey. The Department of Veterans Affairs gains insights into the operational status and recognition compliance of State Veterans Homes. The contract supports the administrative and consulting sector by engaging a firm for specialized survey services. The geographic impact is focused on State Veterans Homes nationwide, as identified by the VA.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if survey requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on the contractor's expertise for accurate and unbiased survey results.
Limited duration may restrict the depth of analysis possible.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract mitigates cost uncertainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Clear deliverable (recognition survey) provides a defined outcome.
Short performance period allows for rapid deployment of services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector encompasses a wide range of services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The market for government consulting is substantial, with agencies frequently seeking external expertise for specialized tasks like surveys, program evaluations, and strategic planning. The contract's value is modest, suggesting it addresses a specific, targeted need rather than a broad organizational overhaul.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large businesses were eligible to compete and potentially win. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements, but given the contract's nature and value, it's possible a small business could be a prime contractor or a subcontractor to a larger firm. Further analysis would be needed to determine the actual impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and program officials. Given the short duration and fixed-price nature, the oversight focus will likely be on ensuring timely delivery of the survey report and adherence to the defined scope. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed survey methodologies and findings may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

VA Healthcare Services Contracts
Government Management Consulting Services
Federal Survey and Data Collection Contracts
Veterans Affairs Program Support

Risk Flags

Potential for incomplete analysis due to short duration.
Reliance on contractor expertise for survey validity.
Data security and confidentiality concerns during survey execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $116,847 to ASCELLON CORPORATION. STATE VETERANS HOME (SVH) RECOGNITION SURVEY MAY 2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASCELLON 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 $116,847.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of ASCELLON CORPORATION with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that ASCELLON CORPORATION has received multiple awards from the Department of Veterans Affairs, primarily for consulting and administrative support services. While this specific contract is for a recognition survey, their past performance with the VA suggests familiarity with the agency's operational environment and requirements. Analyzing the value and nature of previous awards could provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability in fulfilling VA needs. However, without a detailed breakdown of past performance metrics for ASCELLON CORPORATION specifically on VA contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess their overall track record beyond their presence in the VA's contracting landscape.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar VA consulting engagements?

The contract value of $116,847 for a one-month recognition survey is relatively modest when compared to larger, multi-year consulting engagements often seen within the Department of Veterans Affairs. For specialized, short-term projects like surveys or specific administrative assessments, this amount is generally considered within a reasonable range. Benchmarking against similar task orders for administrative management and general management consulting services, particularly those with a defined scope and short duration, suggests this award is not an outlier. However, a precise comparison would require access to a broader dataset of comparable VA contracts, including their specific objectives and deliverables.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential inaccuracies or biases in the survey results if the methodology is flawed or the data collection is not rigorous. Given the short 30-day performance period, there's a risk that the contractor may not have sufficient time to conduct a comprehensive analysis, potentially leading to incomplete or superficial findings. Another risk is the contractor's ability to deliver actionable insights that the VA can effectively use to improve State Veterans Home recognition processes. Finally, ensuring the contractor maintains strict confidentiality and data security throughout the survey process is crucial, especially when dealing with sensitive information related to veteran care facilities.

How effective is a firm fixed-price contract for this type of service?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is generally considered effective for services where the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of cost overruns are manageable. For a recognition survey with a defined period and deliverable, an FFP contract provides cost certainty for the government, as the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs. This incentivizes the contractor to manage their resources efficiently. The effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the contract's statement of work and performance standards. If the scope is ambiguous, it could lead to disputes or a contractor cutting corners to stay within budget. For this specific VA contract, the FFP structure is likely appropriate given the focused nature of the survey task.

What are the historical spending patterns for administrative consulting services at the VA?

The Department of Veterans Affairs consistently spends significant amounts on administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) annually. These expenditures support a wide array of functions, including process improvement, strategic planning, IT consulting, and program management. Historical data shows a trend of agencies like the VA utilizing external consultants to bring specialized expertise, address temporary resource gaps, or provide objective assessments. While the total annual spending can fluctuate based on agency priorities and budget allocations, the demand for such services remains a steady component of the VA's procurement portfolio. This particular contract represents a very small fraction of that overall spending.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8201 CORPORATE DR STE 1200, HYATTSVILLE, MD, 20785

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $116,847

Exercised Options: $116,847

Current Obligation: $116,847

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10G22D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline