VA awards $23M contract for Electrophoresis Agreement to Helena Laboratories Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,002 ($23.0K)

Contractor: Helena Laboratories Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-05-01

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: ELECTROPHORESIS AGREEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44106

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $23,002 to HELENA LABORATORIES CORPORATION for work described as: ELECTROPHORESIS AGREEMENT Key points: 1. The contract is for Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance. 2. Helena Laboratories Corporation is the sole awardee. 3. The contract duration is 729 days. 4. The award was a Purchase Order under a Firm Fixed Price contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value is $23,002,000. Without specific benchmarks for electrophoresis equipment maintenance, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing. However, the duration and total value suggest a significant investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition, as the VA did not explore alternative vendors or pricing.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs healthcare services may be impacted by the availability and maintenance of electrophoresis equipment. The reliance on a single vendor for critical equipment maintenance could pose a risk to service continuity. The significant contract value highlights the importance of this equipment within VA facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 32 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award
Dependence on a single supplier for critical maintenance

Positive Signals

Clear contract duration and start/end dates
Specific NAICS code identified

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector relies heavily on specialized equipment like electrophoresis machines for diagnostics. Spending benchmarks for such maintenance contracts can vary widely based on equipment complexity and service level agreements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business, as 'sb' is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or had the capability to bid.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and adequate service delivery. The VA should document the justification for not competing this requirement.

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
Potential for price inflation
Lack of competitive benchmarking
Dependency on a single vendor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $23,002 to HELENA LABORATORIES CORPORATION. ELECTROPHORESIS AGREEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HELENA LABORATORIES CORPORATION.

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 $23,002.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling needs. Without further documentation from the VA, the specific reason for this sole-source determination remains unclear.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source contract for essential equipment maintenance?

Sole-source contracts carry risks of inflated pricing due to a lack of competitive pressure. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single provider, potentially limiting flexibility and innovation. Furthermore, if the sole-source vendor experiences issues, it could disrupt essential services.

How does this contract ensure value for taxpayer money given the lack of competition?

Ensuring value in a sole-source contract requires rigorous negotiation and performance monitoring. The VA should have established clear performance metrics and service level agreements. Regular reviews of pricing against market data, if available, and justification for any price increases are crucial to mitigate the risks of overpayment.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1530 LINDBERGH DR, BEAUMONT, TX, 77707

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,002

Exercised Options: $23,002

Current Obligation: $23,002

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline