VA awards $36.3M for emergency business-critical medications, ensuring timely veteran access

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,281 ($36.3K)

Contractor: Partner Therapeutics, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 14 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EMERGENCY BIZENGRI MEDS FOR VETERAN

Place of Performance

Location: LEXINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02421

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $36,281.4 to PARTNER THERAPEUTICS, INC. for work described as: EMERGENCY BIZENGRI MEDS FOR VETERAN Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in immediate pharmaceutical needs for veterans. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market response and potential for competitive pricing. 3. Short performance period indicates a focus on urgent, time-sensitive supply chain requirements. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the agency. 5. The award falls within the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing sector, vital for healthcare support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $36.3 million for a 14-day delivery order appears reasonable given the 'emergency' nature of the requirement. Benchmarking against similar emergency pharmaceutical procurements would provide further context, but the fixed-price structure suggests the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. The award to Partner Therapeutics, Inc. warrants a review of their past performance in fulfilling urgent medical supply needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and allowed to bid. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, driving down prices and encouraging innovation. The number of bidders and the specific evaluation criteria would provide a clearer picture of the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for obtaining the best value through a wide range of offers and competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring emergency business-critical medications will benefit from timely access to necessary treatments. The contract ensures the availability of essential pharmaceuticals, supporting the VA's healthcare mission. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as veteran healthcare needs are distributed across the country. This contract supports the pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions if the contractor faces unforeseen production or logistical issues given the short duration.
Ensuring the 'emergency' classification is justified to avoid unnecessary premium pricing.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the VA.
Short performance period indicates a focus on immediate needs, potentially mitigating long-term storage or obsolescence risks.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing sector (NAICS 325412), a critical component of the healthcare industry. The market for pharmaceuticals is large and complex, with significant government spending driven by agencies like the VA. This specific award addresses an urgent need, distinct from routine or long-term supply contracts, highlighting the sector's role in responding to immediate public health demands.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. Given the nature of emergency pharmaceutical needs, it's possible that larger, specialized manufacturers are typically involved. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate or if subcontracting goals were established.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices would apply. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. The Inspector General's office within the VA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.

Related Government Programs

VA Pharmaceutical Contracts
Emergency Medical Supply Procurements
Veteran Healthcare Services
Department of Defense Pharmaceutical Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption
Urgency classification justification
Contractor capacity assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $36,281.4 to PARTNER THERAPEUTICS, INC.. EMERGENCY BIZENGRI MEDS FOR VETERAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PARTNER THERAPEUTICS, 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 $36,281.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-04-24.

What is the historical spending pattern of the VA on emergency business-critical medications?

Analyzing the VA's historical spending on emergency business-critical medications requires accessing procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts with similar descriptions, urgency classifications, and performance periods. A trend analysis could reveal if such emergency awards are becoming more frequent, if spending is increasing, and the typical value range for these urgent needs. Understanding historical patterns helps in assessing whether the current $36.3 million award is an outlier or consistent with past practices, and it can inform future budget planning and risk assessment for unforeseen pharmaceutical demands within the veteran population.

How does the price per unit for these medications compare to market rates or other federal contracts?

Determining the price per unit and comparing it to market rates or other federal contracts is crucial for value assessment. This requires breaking down the total award amount ($36.3 million) by the quantity of each specific medication being procured. Once per-unit costs are established, they can be benchmarked against publicly available pricing data from commercial pharmaceutical distributors, data from the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), or similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies like the Department of Defense. Significant deviations from established benchmarks could indicate either an exceptional value or potential overpricing, necessitating further investigation into the specific circumstances of the emergency procurement.

What is Partner Therapeutics, Inc.'s track record with the VA and other federal agencies, particularly for emergency supplies?

Investigating Partner Therapeutics, Inc.'s track record involves reviewing their past contract performance with the VA and other federal entities. Key areas to examine include on-time delivery rates, quality of products supplied, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and overall customer satisfaction feedback. Special attention should be paid to any previous awards for emergency or time-sensitive pharmaceutical procurements. A strong performance history, especially in critical supply situations, would increase confidence in their ability to meet the current contract's demands. Conversely, a history of issues might raise concerns about the reliability of this award.

What specific 'business-critical' medications are included in this $36.3 million award?

The designation 'emergency bizengri meds for veteran' is broad and does not specify the exact pharmaceutical products. To fully assess the contract's impact and value, a detailed list of the specific medications covered under this $36.3 million award is necessary. Understanding the nature of these drugs—whether they are life-saving, critical for managing chronic conditions, or used in emergency medical procedures—provides context for their 'business-critical' status. This information is essential for evaluating the necessity of the emergency classification, potential therapeutic alternatives, and the overall public health significance of ensuring their availability.

What risk indicators were identified during the procurement process for this emergency medication contract?

Assessing risk indicators for this emergency medication contract involves examining potential vulnerabilities in the procurement and execution phases. Risks could include supply chain fragility (e.g., reliance on a single manufacturer or limited distribution channels), potential for price gouging due to the 'emergency' nature, quality control issues with pharmaceuticals, or the contractor's capacity to meet the demand within the short timeframe. The 'full and open competition' suggests an effort to mitigate some risks by involving multiple vendors, but specific due diligence on the selected contractor's financial stability, manufacturing capabilities, and past performance is crucial. Understanding identified risks helps in evaluating the overall prudence of the award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing › Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 19 MUZZEY STREET SUITE 105, LEXINGTON, MA, 02421

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,281

Exercised Options: $36,281

Current Obligation: $36,281

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79723D0171

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline