VA Awards $1.38M Sole Source Contract for Perfusion Services to University of Washington
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $137,661 ($137.7K)
Contractor: University of Washington
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $378/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: AFFILIATE SOLE SOURCE PERFUSIONS SERVICES ICA FOR VA PUGET SOUND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98108
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $137,661.12 to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON for work described as: AFFILIATE SOLE SOURCE PERFUSIONS SERVICES ICA FOR VA PUGET SOUND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Key points: 1. Sole source award limits competition, potentially impacting price discovery. 2. Contract duration of 364 days suggests a need for ongoing services. 3. The specific service (perfusion) is critical for healthcare operations. 4. No small business participation noted in this award.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Pricing is not benchmarked due to lack of competitive data. The sole source nature prevents direct comparison with similar contracts awarded through competitive processes.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded sole source, meaning it was not open to competitive bidding. This limits the government's ability to ensure the best possible price and value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds may not be optimally utilized due to the absence of competition.
Public Impact
Veterans in the Puget Sound area will continue to receive essential perfusion services. The award highlights reliance on specialized academic institutions for critical medical support. Lack of competition raises questions about long-term cost-effectiveness for the VA.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole source award
- Lack of competition
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Ensures continuity of critical healthcare services
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the healthcare sector, specifically for specialized medical services. Benchmarking is difficult without competitive data, but healthcare services often represent a significant portion of federal spending.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication of small business participation in this sole source award. This contract does not appear to support small business goals.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole source justification and award process require careful review to ensure proper adherence to federal procurement regulations and to confirm the necessity of a non-competitive award.
Related Government Programs
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole source award limits competition.
- Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
- No small business participation.
- Limited transparency in pricing.
Tags
colleges-universities-and-professional-s, department-of-veterans-affairs, wa, definitive-contract, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $137,661.12 to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. AFFILIATE SOLE SOURCE PERFUSIONS SERVICES ICA FOR VA PUGET SOUND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.
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 $137,661.12.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the justification for this sole source award, and has it been adequately documented?
The justification for a sole source award typically involves demonstrating that only one responsible source can provide the required services. This often relates to unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or proprietary technology. For this contract, the specific justification from the Department of Veterans Affairs would need to be reviewed to confirm its validity and ensure it meets federal procurement standards.
What is the potential long-term financial impact of relying on a sole source provider for these critical services?
The long-term financial impact of a sole source award can be negative if prices are not regularly benchmarked or negotiated aggressively. Without competitive pressure, the provider may have less incentive to offer cost reductions over time. This could lead to higher overall spending for the VA compared to a scenario with open competition.
Are there any alternative providers or potential future competition for these perfusion services?
Investigating alternative providers or the potential for future competition is crucial for long-term cost management. Even if a sole source award is necessary now, the VA should explore if other institutions or companies could develop the capability to provide these services in the future, potentially through future competitive solicitations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: University of Washington Inc
Address: 4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE, SEATTLE, WA, 98195
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $137,661
Exercised Options: $137,661
Current Obligation: $137,661
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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