VA awards $38M for Genomic Sequencing to Personalis, Inc. under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,072,544 ($38.1M)

Contractor: Personalis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2019-09-28

End Date: 2020-09-27

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $104.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: GENOMIC SEQUENCING

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15212

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $38.1 million to PERSONALIS, INC. for work described as: GENOMIC SEQUENCING Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized genomic services. 2. Competition was open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk appears moderate given the specialized nature of the service. 4. IT/Healthcare sector, with potential for broader application.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $38M for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized genomic sequencing services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale genomic projects would provide further clarity on value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced medical diagnostics, potentially improving veteran healthcare outcomes.

Public Impact

Enhances diagnostic capabilities for veterans. Supports advancements in personalized medicine. Potential for improved health outcomes and treatment efficacy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in advanced sequencing.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.

Positive Signals

Leverages advanced technology for healthcare.
Open competition ensures fair market pricing.
Supports a critical area of medical research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the healthcare and IT sectors, specifically focusing on advanced diagnostic services. Spending benchmarks for genomic sequencing can vary widely based on the scope and technology used.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The primary awardee, Personalis, Inc., is a commercial entity, and further analysis would be needed to determine its small business status.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices should ensure accountability and performance.

Related Government Programs

Testing Laboratories and Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

High contract value.
Specialized service with limited vendor pool.
Potential for rapid technological change.
Data sensitivity and privacy concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $38.1 million to PERSONALIS, INC.. GENOMIC SEQUENCING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERSONALIS, 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 $38.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-28. End: 2020-09-27.

What is the specific impact of this genomic sequencing on veteran health outcomes?

The genomic sequencing is intended to provide advanced diagnostic capabilities, potentially leading to more personalized and effective treatment plans for veterans. This could improve disease detection, risk stratification, and therapeutic response, ultimately enhancing overall health outcomes and quality of life for the veteran population served by the VA.

What are the primary risks associated with this genomic sequencing contract?

Key risks include the potential for rapid technological obsolescence in the fast-evolving field of genomics, requiring continuous updates and potential renegotiations. There's also a risk of data security and privacy breaches given the sensitive nature of genetic information. Furthermore, reliance on a single vendor for such a critical service could pose supply chain or performance risks if not managed diligently.

How does this contract contribute to the VA's overall mission effectiveness?

This contract directly supports the VA's mission by providing cutting-edge diagnostic tools that can lead to better healthcare decisions for veterans. By enabling personalized medicine and identifying genetic predispositions to diseases, the VA can offer more targeted and effective treatments, potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs and improving the health and well-being of its patient population.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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: 1330 OBRIEN DR, MENLO PARK, CA, 94025

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,072,544

Exercised Options: $38,072,544

Current Obligation: $38,072,544

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA24017D0103

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline