VA awards $34.4M research contract to UC San Diego for affiliate animal care services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,432 ($34.4K)

Contractor: University of California, SAN Diego

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-09-17

End Date: 2023-09-16

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $95/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: AFFILIATE ANIMAL CARE

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15212

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $34,432.23 to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO for work described as: AFFILIATE ANIMAL CARE Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. 3. Performance period of one year with potential for extensions. 4. Contract type is Cost No Fee, indicating payment for allowable costs. 5. No small business set-aside noted, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms. 6. High value contract for specialized research support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $34.4 million for a one-year term for affiliate animal care services appears substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts is difficult without more specific service details and comparable contract data. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs, which can sometimes lead to less stringent cost control compared to fixed-price contracts. Further analysis would require understanding the specific research activities and the necessity of the animal care provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source is available or authorized by statute. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from multiple bids to drive down prices or encourage innovation. The justification for this sole-source award would need to be thoroughly reviewed to ensure it was appropriate and that no viable alternatives were overlooked.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to ensure the most cost-effective solution is selected. It also limits the opportunity for other qualified entities to secure government funding.

Public Impact

The University of California, San Diego benefits from this contract, likely supporting its research infrastructure. Services provided are crucial for ongoing research activities, particularly in life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily centered around UC San Diego's facilities in Pennsylvania. This contract supports specialized roles within the research workforce, including animal care technicians and researchers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially increases cost to taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.
Cost-reimbursement contract type may offer less incentive for cost control.
No indication of small business subcontracting goals.

Positive Signals

Supports critical research activities for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Awarded to a reputable research institution (UC San Diego).
Contract duration provides stability for ongoing research projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for specialized animal care services in research is often niche, with a limited number of institutions possessing the necessary facilities, expertise, and accreditations. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the scale and specific nature of the animal care services required, which can vary significantly across different research institutions and government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a sole-source award to a large university, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses will be generated unless specifically mandated or pursued by the prime contractor. This limits the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. The 'Cost No Fee' structure necessitates careful monitoring of allowable costs to ensure adherence to the contract terms and prevent overspending. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Health Administration Research
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Grants
Animal Welfare Act Compliance
University Research Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential cost overruns.
Lack of detailed justification for sole-source procurement requires further review.
Cost-reimbursement contract type necessitates strong government oversight of expenditures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $34,432.23 to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO. AFFILIATE ANIMAL CARE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO.

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 $34,432.23.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-17. End: 2023-09-16.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to the University of California, San Diego?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (ct: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION), which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The specific justification for this sole-source determination is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards are justified when only one responsible source is capable of providing the required service or supply, or when there is a compelling urgency, or when it is authorized by statute. For a contract of this magnitude and nature, a detailed justification document, often including market research and a synopsis of the requirement, would normally be required by federal acquisition regulations. Without this justification, it is difficult to assess the appropriateness of bypassing the competitive bidding process.

How does the 'Cost No Fee' (pt: COST NO FEE) contract type affect the government's financial risk and oversight requirements compared to other contract types?

A 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract is a type of cost-reimbursement contract where the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but receives no fee or profit. This contract type is often used when the level of risk or uncertainty is high, making it difficult to establish a firm fixed price. For the government, the primary financial risk is that the total cost could exceed initial estimates, as the contractor is incentivized to incur costs to perform the work, but not necessarily to control them beyond what is allowable. This necessitates robust government oversight to ensure that all costs claimed are reasonable, allocable, and allowable according to the contract terms and federal cost principles. Unlike fixed-price contracts, where the contractor bears the cost risk, the government bears the cost risk in a CNF contract. This requires diligent monitoring of expenditures and performance to ensure value is received for the costs incurred.

What are the potential implications of awarding a large research contract to a single entity without competition for the broader research community?

Awarding a large research contract on a sole-source basis to a single entity, such as UC San Diego in this case, can have several implications for the broader research community. Firstly, it limits opportunities for other institutions and researchers to compete for and potentially secure these funds, which could stifle innovation and diversity in research approaches. Secondly, it concentrates resources and expertise within one organization, potentially leading to a less distributed research ecosystem. While it ensures continuity and focused effort for the specific project, it may prevent the exploration of alternative methodologies or the development of parallel research efforts that could yield different or complementary insights. Furthermore, it bypasses the competitive process that often drives efficiency and cost-effectiveness, potentially meaning less research output for the invested funds compared to a competitively awarded contract.

Can the 'Affiliate Animal Care' services provided under this contract be benchmarked against other federal contracts for similar services?

Benchmarking 'Affiliate Animal Care' services requires detailed information about the scope of work, the types and number of animals involved, the specific care protocols, and the required expertise. The provided data is limited, only specifying the service category. Without more granular details on the specific tasks, such as daily husbandry, veterinary care, specialized housing, or research support activities, direct comparison to other federal contracts is challenging. However, given the contract value of $34.4 million for a one-year period, it suggests a significant scale of operation. Agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other research-intensive departments frequently contract for animal care and facility management. A thorough benchmark would involve analyzing contract line item details, performance work statements, and pricing structures of comparable contracts awarded by these agencies to assess if UC San Diego's pricing and service delivery are within a reasonable range.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Affiliate Animal Care' by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and how does this award compare?

Historical spending data for 'Affiliate Animal Care' by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not provided in the current data extract. To assess this award in context, one would need to examine past VA contracts for similar services. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for previous awards related to animal care, veterinary support, or research facility operations within the VA. Comparing the $34.4 million value of this current contract to historical awards would reveal whether this represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of spending in this category. Understanding trends in VA's investment in animal care research support is crucial for evaluating the significance and potential impact of this specific contract award over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9500 GILMAN DR DEPT 621, LA JOLLA, CA, 92093

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,432

Exercised Options: $34,432

Current Obligation: $34,432

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24E19D0033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline