VA awards $520K for prescription eyeglasses and optician services to PDS Consultants, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $520,000 ($520.0K)

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: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES AND OPTICIAN SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20422

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $520,000 to PDS CONSULTANTS, INC for work described as: PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES AND OPTICIAN SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. The contract duration is 121 days, suggesting a short-term need. 3. The award is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339115 points to ophthalmic goods manufacturing. 5. The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the government. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $520,000 for a 121-day period for prescription eyeglasses and optician services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized medical supplies and services. However, without specific details on the quantity of items or services to be provided, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar sole-source contracts for optician services within the VA or other federal agencies would be necessary for a more definitive comparison. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost risks for the government.

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 is capable of meeting the government's requirements, or in specific circumstances where competition is not feasible or advantageous. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from the price discovery that typically occurs in a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down costs. This necessitates strong justification for the sole-source determination to ensure fair pricing.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from access to prescription eyeglasses and optician services. The services delivered will include fitting, dispensing, and potentially repair of eyewear. The geographic impact is focused on the District of Columbia, where the services will be provided. The contract supports the workforce within the optical and opticianry field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Short contract duration may indicate a temporary need or potential for future re-competition.
Lack of small business participation could limit opportunities for smaller businesses in this sector.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to PDS Consultants, Inc. ensures provision of necessary optical services to veterans.
Delivery order structure suggests potential integration with a broader contracting framework.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the healthcare sector, specifically related to medical equipment and services. The NAICS code 339115, Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing, indicates a focus on the production and provision of optical products. Spending in this area is crucial for supporting the health and well-being of beneficiaries, particularly veterans who may have specific vision needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other VA contracts for similar optical goods and services, as well as general government spending on medical supplies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific procurement were limited. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral to negative, as this particular award did not directly foster small business growth or participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, oversight mechanisms would be tied to the terms of that parent contract. Accountability measures would include performance monitoring against the contract's requirements and adherence to the firm-fixed-price terms. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance details may be less public for sole-source awards.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Services Contracts
Federal Ophthalmic Goods Procurement
Veteran Healthcare Services
Medical Equipment and Supplies

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Limited competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $520,000 to PDS CONSULTANTS, INC. PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES AND OPTICIAN SERVICES

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 $520,000.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of PDS Consultants, Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Information regarding the specific track record of PDS Consultants, Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their track record, one would need to review historical contract awards, performance evaluations (such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past issues or successes the company has had in fulfilling VA contracts. A thorough review would involve searching federal procurement databases and agency records for PDS Consultants, Inc.'s history of performance, timeliness, quality of goods/services, and overall client satisfaction within the VA system. Without this historical data, it is difficult to gauge their reliability and past performance specifically for the VA.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar sole-source awards for optician services within the VA?

A direct comparison of the $520,000 value for this 121-day contract to similar sole-source awards for optician services within the VA is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of past VA procurements for identical or comparable services. Sole-source awards are, by nature, less frequent and can vary significantly based on specific needs, geographic location, and the unique capabilities of the awarded vendor. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify other VA contracts for optician services that were also sole-sourced, note their duration, scope of work, and total value, and then normalize these figures (e.g., by daily rate or per-beneficiary cost if applicable). The current data does not provide sufficient context for such a benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for prescription eyeglasses and optician services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for prescription eyeglasses and optician services include a lack of competitive pricing, which could lead to the government paying a premium compared to a competitively bid contract. There is also a potential risk of reduced innovation or service quality, as the vendor may face less pressure to exceed expectations. Furthermore, a sole-source award might indicate a lack of readily available alternative vendors or a failure in the government's market research to identify potential competitors, which could point to systemic issues in procurement planning. Ensuring fair and reasonable pricing in sole-source situations requires diligent negotiation and justification by the contracting officer.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in meeting veteran vision care needs?

The effectiveness of this contract in meeting veteran vision care needs hinges on the scope of services provided by PDS Consultants, Inc. and the quality of their execution. Assuming the contract covers essential optician services such as eye exams, prescription verification, frame selection, lens fitting, and dispensing of eyeglasses, it directly addresses a critical aspect of healthcare for veterans. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests a defined budget, which can aid in predictable service delivery. However, the short duration (121 days) implies this may be a temporary solution or part of a larger, ongoing effort. The ultimate effectiveness will be measured by veteran satisfaction, the accuracy and quality of the eyewear provided, and the timeliness of service delivery within the specified period.

How has federal spending on ophthalmic goods and optician services trended over the past five years?

Analyzing federal spending trends on ophthalmic goods and optician services over the past five years requires access to historical federal procurement data. Such an analysis would typically involve querying databases like USAspending.gov or FPDS-NG for contracts categorized under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 339115 for Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing, or service codes related to optometry and optical services) and filtering by agency (e.g., Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense). A trend analysis would look for increases or decreases in total obligated amounts, the number of contracts awarded, and the average contract value. Factors influencing these trends could include changes in beneficiary populations, legislative mandates, healthcare policy shifts, and the utilization of different contracting vehicles (e.g., competitive vs. sole-source, IDIQ vs. delivery orders).

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: $520,000

Exercised Options: $520,000

Current Obligation: $520,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24526D0041

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline