VA awards $1.85M contract for cardiac pathology consults to Utah Pathology Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,465 ($18.5K)

Contractor: Utah Pathology Services, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-05-10

End Date: 2025-05-09

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $51/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EO14042-CARDIAC PATHOLOGY CONSULTS FOR THE SLCVAMC

Place of Performance

Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84148

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $18,465 to UTAH PATHOLOGY SERVICES, INC for work described as: EO14042-CARDIAC PATHOLOGY CONSULTS FOR THE SLCVAMC Key points: 1. Contract value of $1.85 million for a 1-year period. 2. Awarded to Utah Pathology Services, Inc. 3. Procured under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 4. Focuses on medical laboratory services (NAICS 621511). 5. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.85 million for a one-year duration appears reasonable for specialized pathology services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical laboratory services would provide a more precise assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition environment. While SAP aims for efficiency, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this contract may result in a slightly higher cost to taxpayers than if it were fully competed, though the value is likely still within a reasonable range.

Public Impact

Ensures critical cardiac pathology services for veterans at the SLCVAMC. Supports timely diagnosis and treatment for veteran patients. Maintains operational capacity for the VA's medical services. Provides specialized medical expertise within the VA system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 51 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Potential for higher costs due to limited competition

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical healthcare need for veterans
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty
Short contract duration allows for re-evaluation

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly medical laboratories, is crucial for diagnostic services. Spending in this area is driven by patient volume and the complexity of tests required. This contract falls within the typical range for specialized laboratory services.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating oversight by a federal agency. The use of SAP suggests a streamlined process, but accountability for price and performance remains with the VA.

Related Government Programs

Medical Laboratories
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for price not being fully optimized
Reliance on a single provider for critical services
Lack of transparency on small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $18,465 to UTAH PATHOLOGY SERVICES, INC. EO14042-CARDIAC PATHOLOGY CONSULTS FOR THE SLCVAMC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UTAH PATHOLOGY SERVICES, 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 $18,465.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-10. End: 2025-05-09.

What is the specific breakdown of services included in these cardiac pathology consults and how does this influence the cost?

The contract specifies 'cardiac pathology consults,' which likely encompass microscopic examination of cardiac tissue, interpretation of findings, and reporting. The complexity and volume of these analyses directly impact the cost. Without a detailed service list, it's difficult to precisely benchmark the per-unit cost, but the overall value suggests a significant volume or highly specialized expertise is required.

How does the pricing of Utah Pathology Services compare to other providers for similar cardiac pathology consults, especially considering the limited competition?

Given the contract was competed under SAP, direct price comparisons are challenging. However, the VA likely conducted some level of price analysis to ensure the $1.85 million award was fair and reasonable. Further investigation into historical pricing or market research conducted by the VA would reveal if this price is competitive relative to other limited-source or sole-source contracts for similar services.

What is the potential impact on veteran healthcare if Utah Pathology Services is unable to fulfill this contract effectively?

A failure by Utah Pathology Services to perform could significantly disrupt veteran healthcare at the SLCVAMC. Delays in cardiac pathology consults could lead to delayed diagnoses, postponed treatments, and potentially adverse patient outcomes. The VA would need to quickly find an alternative provider, which could be costly and time-consuming, further impacting care continuity.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5330 S 900 E STE 120, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, 84117

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,465

Exercised Options: $18,465

Current Obligation: $18,465

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25921A0035

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline