VA Awards $7.7M for Digital Telepathology Scanners to Four Points Technology, Enhancing Oncology Care

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,742,178 ($7.7M)

Contractor: Four Points Technology, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-09-29

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,432 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DIGITAL TELEPATHOLOGY SCANNERS FOR VA NATIONAL PRECISION ONCOLOGY PROGRAM, VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VHA).

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $7.7 million to FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C. for work described as: DIGITAL TELEPATHOLOGY SCANNERS FOR VA NATIONAL PRECISION ONCOLOGY PROGRAM, VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VHA). Key points: 1. The contract aims to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment through advanced digital imaging technology. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps manage costs, but the specific value needs comparison. 4. This spending falls under IT services, specifically related to healthcare technology modernization.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $7.7 million award for digital telepathology scanners appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment and its application in precision oncology. Benchmarking against similar advanced medical imaging systems would provide a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment is expected to improve veteran healthcare outcomes, representing a valuable use of taxpayer funds for advanced medical technology.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from faster and more accurate cancer diagnoses through advanced digital pathology. The VHA's National Precision Oncology Program will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology. This initiative supports the modernization of healthcare infrastructure within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific per-unit cost data for benchmarking.
Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized maintenance is required.
Dependence on technology that may require future upgrades.

Positive Signals

Supports critical healthcare mission for veterans.
Utilizes competitive procurement for acquisition.
Fixed-price contract helps control costs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and Healthcare sectors, focusing on specialized medical equipment. Spending benchmarks for similar advanced diagnostic imaging systems in the federal healthcare space are typically high due to technological sophistication and regulatory requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the award went to Four Points Technology, L.L.C. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting goals for this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices would apply to ensure performance and accountability.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

High cost of specialized medical technology.
Potential for vendor-specific maintenance requirements.
Need for robust cybersecurity measures for sensitive health data.
Integration challenges with existing VHA IT infrastructure.
Reliance on vendor for ongoing technical support and updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $7.7 million to FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.. DIGITAL TELEPATHOLOGY SCANNERS FOR VA NATIONAL PRECISION ONCOLOGY PROGRAM, VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VHA).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C..

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 $7.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-29. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the expected improvement in diagnostic accuracy or turnaround time for pathology results due to these digital scanners?

The implementation of digital telepathology scanners is expected to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy by allowing for remote expert consultation and advanced image analysis tools. This can lead to faster turnaround times for pathology reports, enabling quicker treatment decisions for cancer patients and potentially improving patient outcomes. The specific percentage improvements would depend on the baseline metrics and the capabilities of the new system.

What are the potential risks associated with the long-term maintenance and upgrade path for this specialized digital pathology equipment?

Long-term risks include the potential for high maintenance costs, vendor lock-in for proprietary hardware and software, and the rapid obsolescence of technology. Ensuring robust service agreements, exploring multi-vendor support options, and planning for future technology refreshes are crucial to mitigate these risks and maintain the system's effectiveness over its lifecycle.

How does the adoption of digital telepathology align with the VA's broader strategy for leveraging technology in veteran healthcare delivery?

This investment aligns with the VA's strategic goals of modernizing healthcare delivery through technology, improving access to specialized care, and enhancing diagnostic capabilities. Digital telepathology supports telehealth initiatives, facilitates collaboration among specialists regardless of location, and contributes to the development of data-driven precision medicine programs, ultimately aiming to provide better care for veterans.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS TESTING

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13221 WOODLAND PARK RD, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,045,576

Exercised Options: $7,742,178

Current Obligation: $7,742,178

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD22B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline