VA awards $2.68M contract for police forensics services to Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,840 ($26.8K)

Contractor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-06-01

End Date: 2025-05-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $74/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: POLICE FORENSICS SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37212

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $26,840 to VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER for work described as: POLICE FORENSICS SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government. 3. The duration of the contract is one year, suggesting a need for ongoing services. 4. The specific services provided under 'police forensics' require further clarification to assess value. 5. The award to a university medical center may indicate specialized expertise is required. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without detailed service descriptions and comparable contract data. The $2.68 million award for a one-year period for police forensics services appears substantial, but its reasonableness depends heavily on the scope and complexity of the services. Given the sole-source nature, it's difficult to assess if competitive pricing pressures were achieved. Further analysis would require understanding the specific forensic disciplines covered and the volume of work anticipated.

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 possesses the unique capabilities or qualifications necessary to perform the work. The lack of competition means that the Department of Veterans Affairs did not benefit from the price discovery and potential cost reductions that typically arise from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for these services due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. The government may have paid a premium compared to what could have been achieved in an open market.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential police forensics services. These services likely support law enforcement investigations and administrative actions within VA facilities. The geographic impact is primarily within Tennessee, where Vanderbilt University Medical Center is located, but could extend to any VA facility requiring these specialized services. The contract supports specialized scientific and technical roles within Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing opportunities.
Lack of detailed service scope makes value assessment difficult.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable medical center suggests access to specialized expertise.
Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
One-year duration allows for flexibility and reassessment of needs.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically related to scientific and technical services. The market for specialized forensic services can be niche, often requiring specific accreditations and expertise. While broader professional services contracts are common across government, forensic services are typically awarded to entities with demonstrated capabilities in areas like DNA analysis, toxicology, ballistics, or digital forensics. Benchmarking would require comparing this to other government contracts for similar specialized forensic support.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to a large academic medical center suggests that the services required are highly specialized and may not be readily available from small business providers in the required capacity or with the necessary certifications. This procurement does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed service specifics may be limited. The Inspector General's office could investigate if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Law Enforcement Support Services
Medical and Health Services
Scientific and Technical Services
Forensic Science Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $26,840 to VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER. POLICE FORENSICS SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.

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 $26,840.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-01. End: 2025-05-31.

What specific forensic services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'POLICE FORENSICS SERVICES' with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. However, the specific nature of these services is not detailed. This could encompass a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to, DNA analysis, toxicology, ballistics, digital forensics, trace evidence analysis, or crime scene investigation support. Understanding the precise services is crucial for evaluating the contract's necessity, scope, and value for money. Without this detail, it's difficult to ascertain if the $2.68 million award is appropriate for the work performed.

How does the $2.68 million award compare to similar forensic service contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

Direct comparison is difficult without knowing the specific services rendered. However, federal agencies often contract for specialized forensic services. Awards can range from tens of thousands for specific analyses to millions for comprehensive support contracts. For instance, the FBI or Department of Justice may award larger contracts for broad forensic laboratory services. The VA's award to Vanderbilt for $2.68 million over one year suggests a significant need for specialized expertise, potentially in areas not covered by existing government capabilities or requiring a specific academic partnership. A more precise benchmark would require identifying contracts with identical or highly similar service scopes and durations.

What is the track record of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in providing government forensic services?

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a major academic health system known for its medical research and patient care. While VUMC has extensive expertise in various medical and scientific fields, its specific track record in providing 'police forensics services' directly to federal law enforcement or investigative bodies needs further examination. Academic institutions sometimes provide specialized analytical services or research support. It is important to verify if VUMC has prior experience with similar government contracts, particularly those involving law enforcement support, and assess their performance history on those engagements to gauge reliability and capability for this specific award.

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

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition. Without multiple bids, the government may not achieve the most cost-effective outcome. Additionally, reliance on a single provider can create risks if that provider experiences performance issues, financial instability, or changes in capability. For specialized services like forensics, ensuring the sole-source justification is robust and that the selected vendor truly offers unique and indispensable capabilities is critical to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer dollars.

What is the historical spending pattern for police forensics services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for 'police forensics services' by the VA is essential to contextualize this $2.68 million award. If the VA has consistently awarded similar contracts annually or periodically, it indicates a sustained need. If this is a new or significantly larger award compared to previous years, it warrants further investigation into the reasons behind the increase or the initiation of such a contract. Understanding past spending levels, the number of vendors previously used, and the average award values would provide valuable insights into whether this current contract represents a normal expenditure or an anomaly.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1161 21ST AVE S STE D3300 MCN, NASHVILLE, TN, 37232

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,840

Exercised Options: $26,840

Current Obligation: $26,840

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24923D0044

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline