VA awards $300K for prescription eyeglasses and optician support to PDS Consultants, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $300,000 ($300.0K)

Contractor: PDS Consultants, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 121 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES AND OPTICIAN SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21201

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $300,000 to PDS CONSULTANTS, INC for work described as: PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES AND OPTICIAN SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Short contract duration of 121 days suggests a specific, immediate need. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 4. No small business set-aside or subcontracting reported, potentially limiting small business participation. 5. Contract falls under Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing NAICS code. 6. Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating a focus on veteran healthcare services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $300,000 for a 121-day period for prescription eyeglasses and optician support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of optical services. However, without comparable contract data for similar services or detailed scope of work, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost risks for the VA. Benchmarking against market rates for optician services and custom eyewear would provide further insight into pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required goods or services, or in cases of urgent need. The lack of competition means the VA did not benefit from potential price reductions or innovative solutions that a competitive bidding process might have yielded. This raises questions about whether the best possible price and service were secured.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not leverage competitive market forces to drive down prices. This limits the opportunity for cost savings that could otherwise be realized through a more open bidding process.

Public Impact

Veterans in Maryland will benefit from access to prescription eyeglasses and optician support. The contract ensures the provision of essential vision care services for beneficiaries. Services are delivered within Maryland, directly impacting the local veteran population. The contract supports the operational needs of VA healthcare facilities providing ophthalmic services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential cost savings.
Lack of small business participation may exclude specialized small businesses from contributing.
Short contract duration could indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the VA.
Focus on veteran healthcare aligns with the VA's mission.
Specific NAICS code indicates a targeted approach to procuring specialized optical goods.

Sector Analysis

The ophthalmic goods manufacturing sector encompasses companies that produce eyeglasses, lenses, and related optical equipment. This contract falls within the broader healthcare services industry, specifically focusing on durable medical equipment and related professional services. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a significant purchaser of healthcare goods and services, including vision care, for its beneficiaries. Benchmarking this contract's value against other VA or government contracts for similar optician support and prescription eyewear would be informative, though specific data is not readily available.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor is there an indication of subcontracting requirements. This means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in or benefit from this contract are limited. While PDS Consultants, Inc. may be a small business itself, the absence of specific set-aside provisions or subcontracting plans suggests that the primary focus was not on maximizing small business involvement in this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for the ophthalmic services. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award would be crucial for assessing accountability. The VA's Office of Inspector General may review contracts of this nature as part of broader audits of healthcare spending.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Programs
Durable Medical Equipment Procurement
Vision Care Services Contracts
Federal Ophthalmic Goods and Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may indicate limited market research or lack of competition.
Short contract duration could signal an urgent need or a stop-gap measure.
Absence of small business subcontracting goals limits opportunities for smaller firms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $300,000 to PDS CONSULTANTS, INC. PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES AND OPTICIAN SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PDS CONSULTANTS, 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 $300,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available to meet the government's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling circumstances where competition is not feasible. For this contract, the Department of Veterans Affairs would need to provide documentation detailing why PDS Consultants, Inc. was the only viable option. Without this specific justification, it is difficult to assess if the sole-source award was appropriate and if it resulted in fair pricing compared to what could have been achieved through competition.

How does the contract value compare to similar prescription eyewear and optician support contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

A direct comparison of the $300,000 contract value for 121 days is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of similar sole-source or competed contracts for prescription eyewear and optician support. However, the value appears moderate for a specialized service. If this contract were competed, the number of bids received and the range of pricing would offer a clearer benchmark. Given the sole-source nature, it's important to scrutinize the pricing against industry standards for optician services and custom eyewear manufacturing to ensure it represents good value for the VA.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for optician services?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the awarded contractor may not have the same incentive to offer the lowest possible price. Additionally, sole-source awards can limit the government's access to innovative solutions or alternative service providers that might emerge in a competitive environment. There's also a risk that the government may not be aware of other capable vendors who could provide the services, potentially leading to suboptimal procurement outcomes.

What is the expected performance standard for PDS Consultants, Inc. under this contract?

While the specific performance standards are not detailed in the provided data, contracts for prescription eyeglasses and optician support typically include requirements related to the quality of materials, accuracy of prescriptions, timeliness of service delivery, and customer satisfaction. For the VA, adherence to specific veteran eligibility criteria and proper documentation would also be critical. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to meet these standards efficiently to maintain profitability. Performance would likely be monitored by VA contracting officers.

What is the historical spending pattern for prescription eyeglasses and optician support by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for prescription eyeglasses and optician support by the VA would require access to historical contract databases. Typically, the VA procures such services through a combination of direct contracts, blanket purchase agreements, and potentially through partnerships with other federal agencies or healthcare providers. Understanding past spending levels, whether contracts were competed or sole-sourced, and the average contract values would provide context for the current $300,000 award. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending could indicate changes in demand, policy, or procurement strategies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3801 BISHOP LN, LOUISVILLE, KY, 40218

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $300,000

Exercised Options: $300,000

Current Obligation: $300,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24526D0037

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline