VA Awards $3.8M IDIQ for Eyeglass Manufacturing to PDS Consultants, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,844,250 ($3.8M)

Contractor: PDS Consultants, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-05-28

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 125 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: VISN 1 EYEGLASS IDIQ 05/28/25- 09/30/25 TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: BEDFORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01730

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.8 million to PDS CONSULTANTS, INC for work described as: VISN 1 EYEGLASS IDIQ 05/28/25- 09/30/25 TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, PDS Consultants, Inc. 2. The contract is for ophthalmic goods manufacturing, specifically eyeglass production. 3. The award value is $3,844,250 over a 125-day period. 4. The contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a delivery order under an existing IDIQ. Without access to the IDIQ's pricing structure or other bids, it's difficult to assess if this specific delivery order's pricing is competitive. The firm fixed price suggests cost certainty, but the lack of competition for this order is a concern.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed, indicating a limited competition approach. This likely occurred under an existing IDIQ contract. The lack of open competition may have limited price discovery and potentially led to a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is potentially negative due to the lack of competition, which could result in a higher price paid for the eyeglass goods than if a competitive process had been used.

Public Impact

Veterans will receive manufactured eyeglasses, directly impacting their vision care. The award supports a specific vendor, PDS Consultants, Inc., in the ophthalmic goods sector. The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to procure essential medical supplies. The short duration of the contract (125 days) suggests an immediate need or a bridge to a larger procurement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition for this specific task order.
Short contract duration may indicate urgency or a temporary solution.
Potential for higher costs due to limited bidding.

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific need for eyeglass manufacturing for veterans.
Firm fixed price provides cost certainty for this order.
Utilizes an existing IDIQ vehicle, potentially streamlining the procurement process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing sector, a niche within the broader healthcare and manufacturing industries. Spending benchmarks for similar IDIQ contracts for specialized medical equipment can vary widely based on volume, complexity, and the specific agency's needs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was awarded to a small business. The vendor, PDS Consultants, Inc., is not identified as a small business in the provided data. Further investigation would be needed to determine the small business impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight would involve ensuring timely delivery, quality of goods, and adherence to the firm fixed price. The lack of competition for this order warrants closer scrutiny to ensure fair pricing.

Related Government Programs

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition for this delivery order.
Potential for inflated pricing due to limited bidding.
Short contract duration may indicate an inefficient or reactive procurement process.
Vendor's small business status is not specified, impacting socio-economic goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.8 million to PDS CONSULTANTS, INC. VISN 1 EYEGLASS IDIQ 05/28/25- 09/30/25 TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PDS CONSULTANTS, 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 $3.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-28. End: 2025-09-30.

What was the justification for not competing this specific delivery order under the existing IDIQ?

The justification for not competing this specific delivery order would likely stem from the terms of the IDIQ itself, potentially including pre-negotiated pricing, specific vendor qualifications, or a limited number of awardees. Agencies often use IDIQs to streamline procurements for recurring needs, but individual task orders can still be competed if the IDIQ allows and it's deemed beneficial for price discovery and best value.

How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for similar eyeglass manufacturing contracts?

Without specific details on the types of eyeglasses, materials, and quantities, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. However, the $3.84 million award over approximately four months suggests a significant volume or specialized production. A lack of competition for this order raises a flag that the price might be higher than if multiple vendors had submitted bids, potentially exceeding typical market rates.

What is the long-term strategy for eyeglass procurement for VISN 1, given this short-term contract?

This 125-day contract suggests a short-term need or a potential gap filler. The Department of Veterans Affairs likely has a longer-term strategy for eyeglass procurement, which could involve a larger, competitively awarded IDIQ or other contract vehicles. This specific award may be a bridge to that future strategy or address an immediate, unforeseen demand.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C24125Q0468

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3801 BISHOP LN, LOUISVILLE, KY, 40218

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,844,250

Exercised Options: $3,844,250

Current Obligation: $3,844,250

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24125D0023

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline