VA awards $576K contract for physics survey of diagnostic imaging equipment to Sloan Consulting Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $57,640 ($57.6K)

Contractor: Sloan Consulting Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-02-01

End Date: 2026-01-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $158/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PHYSICS SURVEY OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING EQUIPMENT - NEW ORLEANS, LA OPTION 1 EXERCISED

Place of Performance

Location: NEW ORLEANS, ORLEANS County, LOUISIANA, 70119

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $57,640 to SLOAN CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC for work described as: PHYSICS SURVEY OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING EQUIPMENT - NEW ORLEANS, LA OPTION 1 EXERCISED Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract, indicating potential for follow-on work. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of the contract is one year, suggesting a focused scope of work. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621511 points to services related to medical laboratories. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, implying larger firms were eligible and potentially participated.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $576,400 for a one-year physics survey of diagnostic imaging equipment appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized services. Benchmarking against similar contracts would require access to a broader dataset of physics survey contracts for medical equipment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost predictability. Without specific details on the scope of the survey and the number of facilities or equipment covered, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates that the initial solicitation was open to all responsible sources, but specific sources may have been excluded for reasons not detailed here. The term 'delivery order' suggests this is a task order under an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or similar contract vehicle. The level of competition for the underlying IDIQ contract would be a key factor in assessing price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with subsequent exclusions, generally aims to achieve competitive pricing. However, the specifics of the exclusion could impact the final price achieved for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will benefit from this contract by ensuring the proper functioning and safety of diagnostic imaging equipment. Services delivered include a physics survey, which is critical for quality assurance and regulatory compliance in medical imaging. The geographic impact is focused on New Orleans, Louisiana, where the VA facilities requiring the survey are located. This contract supports specialized technical services, potentially involving highly skilled physicists and technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to assess if the price is competitive for the services rendered.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires further investigation to understand its potential impact on competition and pricing.
The contract is a delivery order, which could indicate a need for specialized services that may have limited vendor pools.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a broad search for qualified contractors.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for a specific, necessary service (physics survey) crucial for medical equipment.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly within government agencies like the VA, relies heavily on specialized technical services to maintain complex medical equipment. The market for physics surveys of diagnostic imaging equipment is niche, often served by specialized consulting firms. Spending in this area is driven by regulatory requirements, equipment lifecycle management, and the need for patient safety and diagnostic accuracy. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific types and quantities of imaging equipment surveyed.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside. This suggests that the competition was open to all eligible businesses, including large corporations. While there is no direct subcontracting requirement specified in the provided data, larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for various support functions, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem. However, the absence of a set-aside means direct opportunities for small businesses to prime this specific contract were not prioritized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Equipment Maintenance Contracts
Diagnostic Imaging Services
Healthcare Technology Management
Medical Physics Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'
Need for detailed scope of work to fully assess value for money

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $57,640 to SLOAN CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC. PHYSICS SURVEY OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING EQUIPMENT - NEW ORLEANS, LA OPTION 1 EXERCISED

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SLOAN CONSULTING SERVICES, 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 $57,640.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-01. End: 2026-01-31.

What is the specific scope of the physics survey to be conducted under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of the physics survey. Typically, such surveys involve assessing the performance, safety, and calibration of diagnostic imaging equipment, such as X-ray machines, CT scanners, MRI machines, and ultrasound devices. This includes verifying radiation output, image quality, and adherence to safety standards. The exact number and types of equipment, as well as the number of facilities in New Orleans, LA, covered by this survey would define the scope and complexity of the work.

How does the contract value of $576,400 compare to similar physics survey contracts for diagnostic imaging equipment?

Without access to a comprehensive database of similar physics survey contracts, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the value appears reasonable for a one-year engagement covering specialized technical services for potentially multiple pieces of diagnostic imaging equipment within a specific geographic area. Factors influencing cost include the types of equipment, the number of units, the complexity of the survey protocols, and the required reporting standards. The fixed-price nature suggests the government has a clear understanding of the expected costs for the defined scope.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract award?

Potential risks include the possibility that the contractor may not possess the necessary specialized expertise, leading to an inadequate survey. There's also a risk of delays in service delivery, impacting the VA's ability to maintain equipment compliance and operational readiness. Given the 'exclusion of sources' clause, there's a minor risk that the competition might have been less robust than a truly open solicitation, potentially affecting the best value achieved. Finally, the fixed-price nature could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully, or conversely, the contractor might cut corners if the price is too low for the actual work required.

What is the track record of Sloan Consulting Services, LLC in performing similar physics survey services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Sloan Consulting Services, LLC in performing physics surveys of diagnostic imaging equipment is not available in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar government or commercial contracts, including client feedback, project completion success, and any history of disputes or performance issues. Their past performance is a critical factor in evaluating their capability to successfully execute this contract.

How does the competition level ('full-and-open' with exclusions) impact price discovery for this contract?

A 'full and open competition' generally promotes robust price discovery by allowing multiple bidders to submit proposals, driving prices down through competitive pressure. However, the phrase 'after exclusion of sources' introduces a nuance. If only a few sources were excluded, and many bidders still participated, the price discovery could still be effective. If, however, the exclusion significantly limited the number of potential bidders, the competitive pressure might be reduced, potentially leading to less optimal price discovery for the government compared to a scenario with a larger pool of unrestricted bidders.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories › Medical Laboratories

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Sloan Consulting Services LLC

Address: 5548 N SHORE RD, PENSACOLA, FL, 32507

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $57,640

Exercised Options: $57,640

Current Obligation: $57,640

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25624D0031

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline