VA awards $4.07M for Police Forensics Services to Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,700 ($40.7K)

Contractor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-06-01

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $112/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 $40,700 to VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER for work described as: POLICE FORENSICS SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract is for specialized police forensics services. 2. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is the sole awardee. 3. The contract duration is one year, with a firm fixed price. 4. The award falls under the 'Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing information is not available for this delivery order. Without a baseline or comparison to similar services, it's difficult to assess if the $4.07M is a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for these essential services may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had competed.

Public Impact

Veterans will receive specialized forensic services supporting law enforcement and safety. The award supports a major academic medical center in Tennessee. The VA ensures continuity of critical police support functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Limited transparency on pricing
Potential for cost overruns due to sole-source award

Positive Signals

Award to a known medical institution
Clear service period
Firm fixed price contract type

Sector Analysis

The 'Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools' sector often involves specialized research and services. Spending benchmarks for police forensics within this sector are not readily available, making direct comparison difficult.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The award was made directly to a large university medical center.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this sole-source contract will be crucial to ensure the VA receives the contracted services at a reasonable value, given the lack of competitive bidding.

Related Government Programs

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Lack of pricing transparency.
Potential for inflated costs.
No small business participation identified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $40,700 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 $40,700.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-06-01. End: 2027-05-31.

What specific forensic services are being procured, and how do they align with the VA's mission?

The data does not specify the exact forensic services. However, police forensics typically include crime scene investigation, evidence analysis (DNA, ballistics, toxicology), and expert testimony. These services are crucial for maintaining safety and security within VA facilities and supporting investigations, thereby aligning with the VA's mission to provide comprehensive care and support to veterans.

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

The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one vendor possesses the unique capability, expertise, or proprietary technology required for the service, or in emergency situations. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the necessity of bypassing competitive procedures.

How will the VA ensure the effectiveness and value of these services without competitive benchmarking?

The VA can ensure effectiveness and value through rigorous performance monitoring, clear service level agreements, and regular reviews of deliverables. While competitive benchmarking is absent, the VA should establish internal metrics and potentially consult industry experts to gauge performance and cost-effectiveness against similar, albeit non-competed, arrangements or historical data.

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: $372,500

Exercised Options: $135,270

Current Obligation: $40,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24923D0044

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline