VA awards $1.18M contract to Isla Lab Products for Bact Alert equipment maintenance
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $117,719 ($117.7K)
Contractor: Isla LAB Products LLC.
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2023-05-01
End Date: 2027-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $81/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: CORRECTIVE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR BACT ALERT EQUIPMENT (MICROBIAL DETECTION SYSTEM)
Place of Performance
Location: SAN JUAN, SAN JUAN County, PUERTO RICO, 00921
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $117,719.4 to ISLA LAB PRODUCTS LLC. for work described as: CORRECTIVE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR BACT ALERT EQUIPMENT (MICROBIAL DETECTION SYSTEM) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential microbial detection system maintenance. 2. Isla Lab Products LLC is the sole provider for this specialized service. 3. Potential risks include vendor lock-in and limited price negotiation. 4. The IT and Healthcare sectors rely on such critical equipment uptime.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $1.18M over four years for specialized equipment maintenance appears reasonable, but without specific benchmarks for this niche service, a definitive assessment is difficult. Pricing is set as firm fixed price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and competition, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are committed without competitive bidding, which could result in a less optimal price for the government.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical microbial detection systems for patient care. Supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' healthcare mission. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for price escalation without competitive pressure.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical maintenance.
Positive Signals
- Ensures continuity of essential service.
- Clear contract duration and pricing structure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance sector. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining operational readiness of specialized medical equipment within healthcare facilities.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, nor is there a specific set-aside for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded this contract. Oversight will involve monitoring contract performance and ensuring Isla Lab Products meets the maintenance requirements as outlined in the purchase order.
Related Government Programs
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive pricing
- Vendor lock-in potential
- Reliance on single supplier
Tags
electronic-and-precision-equipment-repai, department-of-veterans-affairs, pr, purchase-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $117,719.4 to ISLA LAB PRODUCTS LLC.. CORRECTIVE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR BACT ALERT EQUIPMENT (MICROBIAL DETECTION SYSTEM)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ISLA LAB PRODUCTS LLC..
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 $117,719.4.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative solutions explored?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or the absence of other qualified sources. Without further documentation, it's unclear if alternatives were thoroughly explored or if Isla Lab Products possesses exclusive rights or expertise essential for maintaining the Bact Alert equipment.
How does the per-unit maintenance cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar microbial detection systems?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost is challenging without access to detailed cost breakdowns and comparative data for similar systems. Given the sole-source nature, it's difficult to ascertain if the pricing reflects competitive market rates or if it includes a premium due to the lack of competition.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the maintenance services provided by Isla Lab Products?
Effectiveness and quality are typically ensured through performance standards outlined in the contract, regular progress reports, and government inspection of work. The VA contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring adherence to the terms of the purchase order.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 36C24823Q0584
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: AMELIA DISTRIBUTION CENTER, GUAYNABO, PR, 00968
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $149,292
Exercised Options: $117,720
Current Obligation: $117,719
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-05-01
Current End Date: 2027-04-30
Potential End Date: 2028-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
Other Department of Veterans Affairs Contracts
- CCN Region 3 Express Report — $5.2B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)
- Express Report for FY22 Region 2 — $5.1B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)
- Fiscal Year 2022 Express Report for Region 1 — $4.2B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)
- Express Report for the Patient Centered Community Care (PC3) Contract — $3.3B (Triwest Healthcare Alliance Corp)
- CCN Region Three FY21 Express Report — $3.1B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)