VA Awards $256K Ophthalmology Surgery Contract to University Physicians, Inc. for Colorado Facility

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $255,785 ($255.8K)

Contractor: University Physicians, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-01

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $703/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: OPHTHALMOLOGY SURGERY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: AURORA, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80010

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $255,784.97 to UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS, INCORPORATED for work described as: OPHTHALMOLOGY SURGERY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single provider, limiting competitive pricing. 2. The contract is for general medical and surgical hospital services. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition. 4. Focus on ophthalmology surgery services within the VA system.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Pricing is set via a firm fixed price contract. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these essential ophthalmology services.

Public Impact

Veterans in Colorado will receive specialized ophthalmology surgical care. Ensures continuity of care for specific medical needs. Potential impact on veteran access if pricing is not optimized.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 70 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment

Positive Signals

Ensures specialized care for veterans
Fixed price contract provides cost certainty

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the General Medical and Surgical Hospitals sector. Spending in this sector is critical for healthcare delivery, and competitive bidding is often sought to control costs.

Small Business Impact

The contract data does not indicate any set-aside for small businesses, and the awardee is a university physician group, suggesting it is not a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight. The 'NOT COMPETED' status warrants scrutiny to ensure the justification for sole-source procurement is valid.

Related Government Programs

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
Potential for above-market rates due to limited competition.
Need for strong justification for non-competitive procurement.
Limited transparency on cost-effectiveness without benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $255,784.97 to UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS, INCORPORATED. OPHTHALMOLOGY SURGERY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS, INCORPORATED.

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 $255,784.97.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-01. End: 2025-08-31.

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

The justification for a sole-source award is crucial for understanding why competition was bypassed. It could be due to the unique capabilities of University Physicians, Inc., the need for specialized expertise not readily available elsewhere, or a critical time constraint. Without this information, it's difficult to fully assess the value and necessity of the award.

How does the pricing compare to similar ophthalmology surgery services procured competitively by the VA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this contract's price against competitively procured services is essential for value assessment. If similar services are obtained at a lower cost through competition, it suggests this sole-source award may be overpriced. A detailed cost analysis or comparison with market data would be needed to determine if the $255,784.97 is reasonable.

What is the expected impact on veteran access to ophthalmology services given this contract structure?

The contract's structure ensures that University Physicians, Inc. will provide these services, potentially guaranteeing access for a defined period. However, if the pricing is not optimal or if the provider faces capacity issues, it could indirectly affect veteran access. Continuous monitoring of service delivery and patient wait times is important.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13199 E MONTVIEW BLVD, AURORA, CO, 80045

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $255,785

Exercised Options: $255,785

Current Obligation: $255,785

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25918D0249

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline