VA awards $450K veterinary services task order to Brown University for 364 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,002 ($45.0K)

Contractor: Brown University

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2027-04-05

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $124/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VETERINARY SERVICES TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: PROVIDENCE, PROVIDENCE County, RHODE ISLAND, 02908

State: Rhode Island Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $45,001.6 to BROWN UNIVERSITY for work described as: VETERINARY SERVICES TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. The task order is a delivery order under an existing contract. 3. No competition was utilized for this award, raising questions about potential value. 4. The contract duration is one year, aligning with typical service needs. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611310 points to higher education services. 6. The award is a sole-source action, suggesting specific capabilities were required.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $450,001.60 veterinary services task order is challenging without specific service details or comparable contracts. However, the lack of competition for a service that could potentially be offered by multiple entities raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the absence of competitive bidding means there's no market validation of the pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source action, meaning it was not competed. This suggests that Brown University was identified as the only responsible source capable of meeting the government's specific requirements. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative providers and potentially negotiate more favorable terms or pricing based on market dynamics.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is a reduced likelihood of benefiting from competitive pricing that could drive down costs. The justification for sole-sourcing needs to be robust to ensure public funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Veterans in Rhode Island may benefit from specialized veterinary services facilitated by this contract. The contract supports the delivery of essential veterinary care, potentially for research animals or service animals. The geographic impact is focused on Rhode Island, where Brown University is located. The contract may indirectly support the workforce at Brown University's veterinary or research departments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source justification needs thorough review to ensure necessity.
Limited transparency into the specific services rendered and their necessity.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Award to an established institution like Brown University suggests a level of reliability.
Contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Other Services' category, specifically related to educational and research institutions. Brown University, as a major research university, likely possesses specialized facilities and expertise in veterinary services, particularly if related to biomedical research. Comparable spending in this niche area is difficult to benchmark without more specific service details, but contracts with universities for specialized research support are common across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the award to a large university, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The focus is on the primary contractor's capabilities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature and the lack of detailed public reporting on the specific services provided under this task order.

Related Government Programs

Veterinary Services
Research Support Services
Higher Education Contracts
Federal Grants to Universities

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing validation.
Potential for higher costs due to absence of competition.
Need for clear justification for sole-sourcing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $45,001.6 to BROWN UNIVERSITY. VETERINARY SERVICES TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BROWN UNIVERSITY.

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 $45,001.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-04-05.

What specific veterinary services are being procured under this task order, and why is Brown University the sole source?

The provided data does not specify the exact veterinary services. However, the NAICS code 611310 (Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools) suggests these services are likely related to research activities conducted at Brown University, potentially involving laboratory animals or specialized medical procedures. The justification for sole-sourcing would typically stem from unique capabilities, existing infrastructure, or ongoing research projects where Brown University is already involved and possesses the necessary expertise and facilities that cannot be replicated by other entities in a timely or cost-effective manner. A detailed justification from the agency would be required to fully understand the sole-source rationale.

How does the $450,001.60 price compare to similar veterinary service contracts awarded by the VA or other agencies?

Direct price comparison is difficult without knowing the specific services rendered. Veterinary services can range widely in cost depending on the type of animal, complexity of the procedure, duration of care, and required expertise. For instance, routine care for a small number of research rodents would be significantly less expensive than specialized surgical procedures or long-term care for larger animals. The VA procures a variety of veterinary services, often for animal research or for the care of service animals. Without more granular data on the scope of work, personnel hours, and specific treatments, it's impossible to definitively benchmark this $450,001.60 award against market rates or other federal contracts.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for veterinary services?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition. Without competing bids, the government may not be achieving the best possible value for its money. Another risk is that the government might overlook a more innovative or cost-effective solution that another vendor could offer. Furthermore, sole-sourcing can sometimes indicate a lack of adequate market research or planning by the agency. For taxpayers, this translates to a higher likelihood of paying more than necessary for the services rendered, and a reduced incentive for contractors to offer competitive pricing in the future.

What is Brown University's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Brown University, as a major research institution, likely has a history of receiving federal funding and contracts, often through grants and agreements for research and development. While specific details of their past contract performance with the VA are not provided in this data snippet, universities typically have established administrative and compliance processes for managing federal awards. Their track record would generally be assessed based on their ability to meet the terms of previous agreements, manage funds responsibly, and deliver on research or service objectives. A deeper dive into federal contract databases would reveal the extent and nature of their prior federal awards.

What is the historical spending pattern for veterinary services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending patterns for veterinary services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are not detailed in the provided data. However, the VA's mission includes supporting research related to veterans' health, which often necessitates the use of animals and, consequently, veterinary services. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on research priorities, the number of active research protocols, and the types of animals involved. The VA also supports programs involving service animals, which may also incur veterinary costs. Analyzing past VA budgets and contract awards for similar services would provide insight into the scale and trends of their historical spending in this category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 PROSPECT ST, PROVIDENCE, RI, 02912

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,002

Exercised Options: $45,002

Current Obligation: $45,002

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24126D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline