VA Awards $17.1M Fecal Test BPA to Polymedco LLC Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,131 ($17.1K)

Contractor: Polymedco LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $47/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TEST BPA

Place of Performance

Location: CORTLANDT MANOR, WESTCHESTER County, NEW YORK, 10567

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $17,130.6 to POLYMEDCO LLC for work described as: FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TEST BPA Key points: 1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) valued at $17.1 million to Polymedco LLC. 2. The BPA is for Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT), a crucial diagnostic tool for colorectal cancer screening. 3. Procured under full and open competition, this suggests a competitive bidding process aimed at achieving best value. 4. The contract duration is one year, with a potential for extensions, indicating a need for ongoing supply. 5. The specific product service code (PSC) is missing, hindering direct sector benchmarking.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $17.1 million for a one-year BPA appears reasonable for a critical medical supply. Benchmarking against similar large-scale diagnostic supply contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method is generally expected to drive competitive pricing and ensure fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is designed to maximize taxpayer value by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better quality goods and services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued access to essential colorectal cancer screening tools for veterans. Supports public health initiatives by facilitating early disease detection. Potentially impacts the market for diagnostic testing supplies, encouraging innovation and competitive pricing. Provides a reliable supply chain for a critical medical necessity within the VA healthcare system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Missing Product Service Code (PSC) hinders detailed sector analysis.
Limited contract duration (1 year) may require frequent re-competition.
Small business participation not explicitly detailed.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear need for the procured item (Fecal Immunochemical Tests).
Established vendor (Polymedco LLC) likely has proven capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the healthcare sector, specifically diagnostic testing supplies. The $17.1 million value for a one-year BPA is significant, suggesting a substantial demand within the VA for these tests.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this BPA. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The VA's use of a BPA under full and open competition suggests a structured procurement process. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to terms, and ensuring continued competitive pricing if the BPA is extended or re-competed.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Missing Product Service Code (PSC).
Limited contract duration (1 year).
No explicit mention of small business participation.
Potential for vendor lock-in if BPA is extended without re-competition.
Unit cost and detailed pricing structure not provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $17,130.6 to POLYMEDCO LLC. FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TEST BPA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is POLYMEDCO 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 $17,130.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the specific unit cost for the Fecal Immunochemical Tests under this BPA, and how does it compare to market benchmarks?

The provided data does not include the specific per-unit cost for the Fecal Immunochemical Tests. To assess value, a comparison with industry benchmarks for similar diagnostic kits, considering volume and specifications, would be necessary. Without this granular data, a precise value assessment is challenging, though the competitive award process is a positive indicator.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor (Polymedco LLC) for this critical diagnostic supply, even under full and open competition?

While awarded under full and open competition, the primary risk lies in potential supply chain disruptions if Polymedco LLC faces production issues or if market conditions change unfavorably. The one-year duration mitigates some risk by necessitating periodic re-evaluation, but dependence on a single awardee for a critical item warrants close monitoring of vendor performance and market alternatives.

How effectively does this BPA contribute to the VA's overall goal of early colorectal cancer detection among veterans?

This BPA directly supports the VA's colorectal cancer screening goals by ensuring a consistent and substantial supply of Fecal Immunochemical Tests. The competitive award process suggests an effort to secure these tests at a reasonable cost, thereby maximizing the number of veterans who can be screened. Effective utilization and distribution within the VA system are key to realizing this contribution.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 510 FURNACE DOCK RD, CORTLANDT MANOR, NY, 10567

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,131

Exercised Options: $17,131

Current Obligation: $17,131

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C26324A0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline