VA awards $1.15M for semen analysis testing, with 300 days duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $114,650 ($114.7K)

Contractor: Fellow Health Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-03-15

End Date: 2026-03-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $315/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: SEMEN ANALYSIS TESTING AND POST VASECTOMY TESTING

Place of Performance

Location: BROCKTON, PLYMOUTH County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02301

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $114,650 to FELLOW HEALTH INC for work described as: SEMEN ANALYSIS TESTING AND POST VASECTOMY TESTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to FELLOW HEALTH INC for medical laboratory services. 2. Spending is for semen analysis and post-vasectomy testing. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price type. 4. The award was made under the Department of Veterans Affairs. 5. The contract duration is 364 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1,146,500 for 364 days suggests a per-day cost of approximately $3,150. This pricing needs comparison against similar medical laboratory service contracts to determine its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a limited competition environment. This method may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential medical testing services for veterans, with the cost efficiency dependent on the pricing achieved through the limited competition.

Public Impact

Ensures access to critical post-vasectomy and semen analysis testing for veterans. Supports the health and family planning needs of the veteran population. Provides essential diagnostic services through a contracted provider.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Contract duration is close to one year, requiring potential re-competition soon.
Specific performance metrics and quality assurance details are not provided.

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific and necessary medical service for veterans.
Utilizes a firm-fixed-price contract, providing cost certainty.
Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA Call), suggesting an existing framework.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Medical Laboratories sector (NAICS 621511). Spending in this sector is driven by healthcare needs, diagnostic services, and public health initiatives. Benchmarks would typically compare per-test costs or overall contract values for similar laboratory services.

Small Business Impact

Analysis of small business participation is not directly available from the provided data. The contract was competed under SAP, which can sometimes favor small businesses, but it's not guaranteed without specific set-aside information.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight would involve monitoring service delivery, quality, and adherence to contract terms to ensure taxpayer value and veteran satisfaction.

Related Government Programs

Medical Laboratories
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for overpayment due to limited competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided summary.
Short contract duration requires timely re-competition planning.
Dependence on a single awardee for a specific service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $114,650 to FELLOW HEALTH INC. SEMEN ANALYSIS TESTING AND POST VASECTOMY TESTING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FELLOW HEALTH INC.

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 $114,650.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-15. End: 2026-03-14.

What is the average cost per semen analysis test under this contract, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks?

The provided data does not break down the total contract value by the number of individual tests. To determine the per-unit cost, we would need the estimated quantity of tests to be performed over the contract period. Without this, a precise per-unit cost benchmark cannot be established, making it difficult to assess value for money on a per-test basis.

What are the specific risks associated with limited competition under SAP for these critical medical services?

Limited competition under SAP can increase the risk of paying a higher price than necessary, as there are fewer bidders vying for the contract. It may also limit the pool of qualified providers, potentially impacting service quality or availability. Furthermore, it reduces transparency and the opportunity for innovative solutions that might emerge from broader competition.

How effectively does this contract ensure timely and accurate diagnostic results for veterans requiring semen analysis?

The effectiveness of this contract in ensuring timely and accurate results depends heavily on the performance standards set within the BPA Call and the monitoring capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. While the contract specifies the service, the data does not detail turnaround times, quality control measures, or patient satisfaction metrics, which are crucial for assessing effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories › Medical Laboratories

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1933 DAVIS ST STE 249, SAN LEANDRO, CA, 94577

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $655,350

Exercised Options: $114,650

Current Obligation: $114,650

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24125A0061

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline