VA Extends Eyeglass Contract by 6 Months for $3.5M with PDS Consultants

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,495,000 ($3.5M)

Contractor: PDS Consultants, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 181 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASS CONTRACT - 6 MONTH EXTENSION

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37212

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.5 million to PDS CONSULTANTS, INC for work described as: PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASS CONTRACT - 6 MONTH EXTENSION Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.5M for a 6-month extension. 2. PDS Consultants, Inc. is the incumbent contractor. 3. Competition method is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. The sector is Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing. 5. The contract is Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.5M for 6 months suggests a significant per-unit cost. Benchmarking against similar VA contracts for prescription eyeglasses is needed to assess pricing fairness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' is unusual and requires clarification. It implies a competitive process but with specific exclusions, which could limit true market competition and potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The extension of this contract, especially with an unclear competition method, warrants scrutiny to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and competitively.

Public Impact

Veterans will continue to receive prescription eyeglasses. The extension ensures continuity of service for beneficiaries. Potential for increased costs due to the specific competition method used.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Unclear competition method ('Exclusion of Sources')
Lack of detailed cost breakdown
Short extension period may indicate underlying issues

Positive Signals

Ensures continued service for veterans
Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost overrun risk

Sector Analysis

The Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing sector involves the production of vision-correcting lenses and frames. Spending in this area is driven by healthcare needs and government programs like VA. Benchmarks for similar contracts are essential for evaluating cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract or its competition. Further analysis is needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. The unusual competition method necessitates close oversight to ensure fairness and value for taxpayer money.

Related Government Programs

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Unusual competition method requires clarification.
Potential for inflated pricing due to limited competition.
Short extension duration may indicate underlying contract issues.
Lack of transparency in source exclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.5 million to PDS CONSULTANTS, INC. PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASS CONTRACT - 6 MONTH EXTENSION

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 $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the specific justification for using 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' for this contract, and how does it impact the competitive landscape?

This competition method is atypical and suggests that while the procurement was open, certain sources were intentionally excluded. The justification is crucial for understanding if this exclusion was based on specific technical requirements, past performance, or other factors. If the exclusion significantly limits the number of potential bidders, it could reduce competition and potentially lead to higher prices than a truly open and unrestricted competition.

How does the $3.5 million contract value for a 6-month extension compare to historical spending for prescription eyeglasses under similar VA contracts?

Benchmarking this $3.5 million, 6-month extension against historical VA contracts for prescription eyeglasses is vital for assessing value. A preliminary assessment suggests this could be a high per-unit cost. Without comparative data on the number of eyeglasses to be provided and their specifications, it's difficult to definitively state if the pricing is fair or inflated. Further analysis requires historical contract data and unit cost breakdowns.

What are the potential risks associated with a short, 6-month extension, and does it signal any underlying issues with the primary contract or vendor performance?

A short, 6-month extension can indicate several things: it might be a stop-gap measure while a new, larger contract is being procured, or it could be a result of issues with the incumbent vendor's performance or pricing that prevented a longer-term extension. There's also a risk that frequent short extensions can lead to higher overall costs due to administrative overhead and potentially less favorable pricing compared to a longer-term commitment.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 22 RAINBOW TRL, SPARTA, NJ, 07871

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,495,000

Exercised Options: $3,495,000

Current Obligation: $3,495,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24920D0032

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline