VA awards $3.8M IDIQ for environmental and personnel sampling, with US Micro-Solutions Inc. as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,124 ($38.1K)

Contractor: US Micro-Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-08-15

End Date: 2025-08-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $105/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: YEAR 2 TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND PERSONNEL SAMPLING AND TESTING IDIQ FOR SYRACUSE VAMC, VA FLX AND VA WNY

Place of Performance

Location: SYRACUSE, ONONDAGA County, NEW YORK, 13210

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $38,124 to US MICRO-SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: YEAR 2 TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND PERSONNEL SAMPLING AND TESTING IDIQ FOR SYRACUSE VAMC, VA FLX AND VA WNY Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential environmental and personnel sampling, crucial for health and safety. 2. Awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competitive pricing and market exploration. 3. The contract duration is one year, suggesting a need for ongoing services. 4. Geographic scope covers Syracuse VAMC, VA FLX, and VA WNY facilities. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.81 million for a one-year IDIQ for environmental and personnel sampling appears within a reasonable range for specialized testing services. However, without specific details on the scope of work, the number of anticipated task orders, or the complexity of the sampling required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar IDIQ contracts for environmental testing services across the VA or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of whether this pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure offers predictability, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically indicates an award value below the threshold for full and open competition. While SAP can be efficient for smaller procurements, it may not always yield the most competitive pricing or the widest range of potential bidders compared to larger, more broadly advertised solicitations. The specific competition level within SAP (e.g., number of quotes received, whether it was set aside for small businesses) is not detailed, making it difficult to assess the extent of market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Using simplified acquisition procedures may streamline the procurement process but could result in higher costs for taxpayers if robust competition is not achieved. The lack of transparency regarding the number of bidders and the specific competition method within SAP makes it hard to confirm if the government secured the best possible price.

Public Impact

Veterans at Syracuse VAMC, VA FLX, and VA WNY facilities benefit from ensured environmental and personnel safety. Services include critical sampling and testing to identify and mitigate potential health hazards. The contract supports the operational readiness and safety compliance of multiple VA healthcare facilities in New York. Workforce implications are likely limited to the contractor's specialized personnel conducting the sampling and testing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee the best value for taxpayer dollars.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor efficiency and effectiveness.
Potential for higher costs due to restricted market access under simplified acquisition procedures.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Focus on environmental and personnel sampling addresses critical health and safety needs for veterans.
Single award streamlines management for the agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically under the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' NAICS code (541380). This sector is characterized by specialized expertise in analysis and evaluation. The market for environmental and personnel sampling is driven by regulatory compliance, health and safety standards, and risk management needs across various industries, including government facilities. Spending in this area is often recurring, especially for facilities requiring regular monitoring. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the average cost of similar IDIQ contracts for environmental testing services awarded by federal agencies, considering factors like scope, duration, and geographic reach.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This means that while small businesses could have potentially bid, there was no specific requirement to prioritize them or ensure a portion of the work was subcontracted to them. The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) can sometimes favor larger businesses or those with established relationships, depending on how the competition was structured. Without further details on the bidding process under SAP, it's difficult to definitively assess the impact on the small business ecosystem, but the absence of a set-aside suggests no direct mandate for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and program managers. As a delivery order under an IDIQ, the oversight would focus on ensuring each task order is within the scope of the IDIQ, meets performance requirements, and is priced appropriately. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP, which typically involves less public documentation than larger, full-and-open competitions. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected in the procurement or performance of the contract.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Testing Services
Health and Safety Compliance
Facility Maintenance and Operations
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Lack of detailed performance metrics
Potential for non-optimal pricing due to limited competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $38,124 to US MICRO-SOLUTIONS, INC.. YEAR 2 TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND PERSONNEL SAMPLING AND TESTING IDIQ FOR SYRACUSE VAMC, VA FLX AND VA WNY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is US MICRO-SOLUTIONS, 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 $38,124.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-15. End: 2025-08-14.

What is the typical track record of US Micro-Solutions, Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs and similar federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to assess US Micro-Solutions, Inc.'s track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with the VA specifically, and with environmental sampling and testing contracts in general, would provide insight into their capability and reliability. Without this specific data, it's difficult to comment on their past performance. Federal databases like SAM.gov and FPDS can provide historical contract information, including award amounts, contract types, and agencies served, which are crucial for evaluating a contractor's performance history.

How does the $3.81 million award compare to other environmental sampling IDIQ contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

To benchmark this $3.81 million IDIQ, one would need to compare it against similar Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for environmental and personnel sampling and testing services. Key comparison points would include the contract's duration (1 year), the scope of services, the number of anticipated task orders, and the geographic coverage. For instance, if other VA or agency IDIQs of similar scope and duration were awarded in the range of $2-5 million, this award would appear competitive. Conversely, if comparable contracts were significantly lower or higher, it would warrant further investigation into the specific requirements and market conditions that influenced this particular award. The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) might also suggest a smaller scale compared to contracts competed under full and open competition.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source or limited-competition award under Simplified Acquisition Procedures for these services?

The primary risks associated with limited competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for environmental sampling services include potential overpayment and reduced innovation. When fewer vendors are involved, the government may not benefit from the most competitive pricing, leading to higher costs for taxpayers. Furthermore, a lack of robust competition can disincentivize contractors from offering their best value solutions or exploring more cost-effective methods. There's also a risk that critical expertise or specialized capabilities available in the broader market might be overlooked. For essential services like environmental sampling, ensuring a competitive process is vital for maintaining high standards of public health and safety while managing agency budgets effectively.

What is the expected effectiveness of the environmental and personnel sampling services provided under this contract in ensuring a safe environment for veterans?

The effectiveness of the environmental and personnel sampling services hinges on several factors, including the thoroughness of the sampling protocols, the accuracy of the laboratory testing, and the timely reporting of results. Assuming US Micro-Solutions, Inc. adheres to established industry standards and VA requirements, these services are expected to be effective in identifying potential environmental hazards (e.g., mold, asbestos, water quality issues) and ensuring personnel safety. The contract's focus on specific VA facilities suggests a targeted approach to maintaining a healthy environment for veterans receiving care. However, the ultimate effectiveness will be measured by the quality of the data generated and the subsequent actions taken by the VA based on the findings.

How has the Department of Veterans Affairs historically allocated spending for environmental testing and sampling services across its facilities?

Analyzing the Department of Veterans Affairs' historical spending on environmental testing and sampling would require a review of procurement data over several fiscal years. This analysis would likely reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured (e.g., air quality, water testing, hazardous materials), and the distribution of spending across different VA facilities and regions. It would also show whether the VA predominantly uses IDIQ contracts, sole-source awards, or competes these services broadly. Understanding historical patterns can help contextualize the current $3.81 million award, indicating whether it represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical safety services.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: U S Micro-Solutions Inc

Address: 302 UNITY PLAZA, LATROBE, PA, 15650

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,124

Exercised Options: $38,124

Current Obligation: $38,124

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24223D0082

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline