VA awards $2.5M for Bioprinting Equipment and Services to Advanced Solutions, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,502,301 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Advanced Solutions, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-09-27

End Date: 2026-09-27

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: BIOPRINTING EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON County, KENTUCKY, 40223

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.5 million to ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, INC for work described as: BIOPRINTING EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract is for bioprinting equipment and services, a specialized area within R&D. 2. Advanced Solutions, Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract duration is over three years, indicating a significant commitment. 4. The R&D sector is crucial for technological advancement but can carry inherent risks.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $2.5M over three years for specialized bioprinting equipment and services appears high given the lack of competitive bidding. Without market research or comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing fairness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning no other vendors were considered. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers. The justification for a sole-source award needs careful scrutiny.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively bid contract.

Public Impact

Potential for advanced medical research and development through bioprinting technology. Impact on the VA's ability to innovate and improve healthcare solutions. Concerns about taxpayer money being potentially overspent due to sole-source award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
High contract value without clear justification for sole-source.
Long contract duration increases risk exposure.

Positive Signals

Supports critical R&D in bioprinting.
Potential for significant advancements in medical technology.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is vital for innovation but requires careful oversight due to its specialized nature and potential for high costs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award. Opportunities for small business participation appear to be missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the VA received fair value and that the justification for not competing the award was sound.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition (sole-source).
Potential for inflated pricing.
Long contract duration (over 3 years).
Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award.
No apparent small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.5 million to ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, INC. BIOPRINTING EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, INC.

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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-27. End: 2026-09-27.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract sole-source, and was a market survey conducted to confirm no other vendors could meet the requirement?

The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. A thorough review would require accessing the contract file to understand the rationale, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without this, it's impossible to confirm if a market survey was performed or if it adequately demonstrated the necessity of a sole-source procurement.

How does the per-unit cost of this bioprinting equipment and services compare to similar offerings in the market, especially considering the lack of competition?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost is challenging without specific item details and competitive bids. Given the sole-source nature, there's a risk that the pricing may not reflect market rates. A detailed cost analysis comparing the awarded price to industry standards for comparable equipment and services would be necessary to assess value.

What are the expected outcomes and milestones for this bioprinting research and development, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure effectiveness?

The contract data does not specify the expected outcomes or milestones for the bioprinting R&D. Effective oversight would require the VA to establish clear performance metrics, deliverables, and reporting requirements within the contract. Regular progress reviews and independent validation of results would be crucial to ensure the research is effective and taxpayer funds are used appropriately.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C10X22Q0248

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1901 NELSON MILLER PKWY, LOUISVILLE, KY, 40223

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,467,547

Exercised Options: $2,502,301

Current Obligation: $2,502,301

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline