VA awards $29.5M contract for dental water testing services to Umpqua Research Company

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,502 ($29.5K)

Contractor: Umpqua Research Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-27

End Date: 2026-09-26

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: DENTAL WATER TESTING

Place of Performance

Location: MYRTLE CREEK, DOUGLAS County, OREGON, 97457

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $29,502 to UMPQUA RESEARCH COMPANY for work described as: DENTAL WATER TESTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded through Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The firm fixed-price contract structure aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 3. The duration of the contract is two years, with a potential for extensions. 4. The awardee, Umpqua Research Company, is based in Oregon. 5. The contract falls under the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' category. 6. The agency's primary responsibility for this service is the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $29.5 million over two years for dental water testing services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of laboratory testing. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental or specialized laboratory services would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, assuming the scope of work is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for procurements below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is designed to encourage competition. The agency's use of SAP suggests they sought competitive offers within the established regulatory framework for smaller acquisitions.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by allowing multiple vendors to bid on the requirement, driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care at VA facilities will benefit from ensured dental water safety. The contract supports the delivery of essential health and safety services within the VA healthcare system. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, serving VA facilities nationwide. The contract supports specialized laboratory services, potentially impacting the scientific and testing workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or quality assurance details in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'dental water testing' is not precisely delineated.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Awarded under competitive procedures (SAP), indicating market engagement.
Two-year base period allows for stable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on testing laboratories. The market for specialized environmental and health-related testing is significant, driven by regulatory compliance and public health concerns. The VA's spending in this area is consistent with its mission to provide comprehensive healthcare, which includes ensuring safe water quality in its facilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting goals. Given the contract value and the nature of specialized testing, it's possible that larger firms or those with specific certifications were prioritized. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of performance metrics and any modifications to the contract.

Related Government Programs

VA Healthcare Services
Environmental Testing Services
Laboratory Services Contracts
Public Health Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption
Risk of inaccurate or delayed testing results
Cost overruns if scope is not well-defined
Ensuring consistent quality across multiple facilities
Vendor-specific performance risks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $29,502 to UMPQUA RESEARCH COMPANY. DENTAL WATER TESTING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UMPQUA RESEARCH COMPANY.

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 $29,502.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-27. End: 2026-09-26.

What is the track record of Umpqua Research Company with the federal government, particularly the VA?

Information regarding Umpqua Research Company's specific track record with the federal government, and the Department of Veterans Affairs in particular, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous federal awards. This would help assess their reliability and capability to fulfill the current dental water testing contract effectively. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their established performance level within the federal procurement landscape.

How does the $29.5 million contract value compare to similar dental water testing contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Direct comparison of this $29.5 million contract for dental water testing to similar federal awards is challenging without access to a broader database of specialized laboratory service contracts. Dental water testing is a niche service, and its cost can vary significantly based on the scope of testing (e.g., types of contaminants, frequency, number of locations), geographic region, and specific regulatory requirements. While $29.5 million over two years suggests a substantial ongoing service, its value-for-money can only be truly assessed by benchmarking against contracts for comparable laboratory testing services, potentially including environmental or public health testing, to understand prevailing market rates and service levels.

What are the primary risks associated with this dental water testing contract for the VA?

Key risks for the VA in this dental water testing contract include potential service disruptions if Umpqua Research Company faces operational issues, or if the testing results are inaccurate or delayed, impacting patient safety. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the 'firm fixed price' is not adequately managed against unforeseen complexities in testing protocols or regulatory changes. Furthermore, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to strict testing standards across all VA facilities covered by this contract presents an ongoing management challenge. The reliance on a single contractor for such a critical health-related service also introduces vendor-specific risks.

How effective is the VA in managing contracts for specialized laboratory services like dental water testing?

The effectiveness of the VA in managing contracts for specialized laboratory services like dental water testing can be inferred from various factors, though not explicitly detailed here. The use of competitive procedures (SAP) and a firm fixed-price contract suggests an intent to manage costs and ensure market-driven pricing. However, true effectiveness hinges on robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and timely issue resolution. The VA's overall performance in contract management is often subject to Inspector General reviews and GAO audits, which would provide a more objective assessment of their success in overseeing such critical health-related service contracts.

What are the historical spending patterns of the VA on dental water testing or similar laboratory services?

Historical spending patterns of the VA on dental water testing or similar laboratory services are not provided in the current data. To understand these patterns, one would need to analyze past contract awards for these specific services over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, the number of awards, the types of services procured, and the contractors frequently utilized. Such historical data is crucial for identifying any significant increases or decreases in spending, assessing budget allocation for these services, and understanding the VA's long-term commitment to ensuring dental water safety.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C26024Q0264

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 125 VOLUNTEER WAY, MYRTLE CREEK, OR, 97457

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $82,422

Exercised Options: $29,502

Current Obligation: $29,502

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline