VA awards $2M research services task order to Boston University for college and university services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,026,595 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Trustees of Boston University

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-13

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 352 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESEARCH SERVICES 36C24E20D0016 TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02118

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.0 million to TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY for work described as: RESEARCH SERVICES 36C24E20D0016 TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison to similar research contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the sole-source nature and fixed-price contract type. 4. Performance context is a single delivery order for research services. 5. Sector positioning within higher education and research services. 6. Contract type is firm fixed price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $2 million for research services is within a typical range for academic research projects. However, without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar research services contracts awarded by the VA or other agencies for comparable research areas would provide a clearer picture of pricing efficiency. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, but the lack of competition raises questions about whether the government secured the most advantageous pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor was solicited. This approach is typically used when a specific capability or unique expertise is required that only one entity possesses, or in cases of urgent need. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was not utilized, and the government relied on the contractor's proposed pricing. The justification for this sole-source award would need to be thoroughly documented to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses and can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.

Public Impact

The Trustees of Boston University will benefit from this award through funding for their research activities. The services delivered are research services, likely contributing to advancements in a specific field relevant to the VA's mission. The geographic impact is primarily centered in Massachusetts, where Boston University is located, though the research findings may have broader national implications. Workforce implications include support for researchers, faculty, and potentially students involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential for innovation from a broader market.
Firm fixed-price contract, while clear on cost, can lead to disputes if scope creep occurs without modification.
Limited public information on the specific research objectives and expected outcomes.

Positive Signals

Award to a well-established academic institution suggests a focus on specialized research capabilities.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.
Contract duration aligns with typical project timelines for research initiatives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the higher education and research services sector, a significant area of federal spending, particularly for agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs that invest in medical and scientific research. Universities and research institutions are key players in this sector, often competing for grants and contracts to advance knowledge and develop solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other research service contracts awarded to academic institutions for similar scientific or medical research endeavors.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside, as it was awarded sole-source to the Trustees of Boston University. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The focus on a large academic institution suggests the primary contractor is not a small business, and the nature of the award does not inherently promote small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and program officials. Accountability measures would be tied to the successful completion of research objectives as defined in the task order and adherence to the firm fixed-price agreement. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature and the proprietary aspects of research, though contract award data is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Research and Development Programs
Federal Grants to Universities
Higher Education Research Contracts
Medical Research Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award justification required.
Potential for price not being the best value due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.0 million to TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY. RESEARCH SERVICES 36C24E20D0016 TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY.

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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-13. End: 2025-08-31.

What is the specific research area or objective of this task order, and how does it align with the VA's strategic goals?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'RESEARCH SERVICES' under NAICS code 611310 (Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools). However, the specific research area or objective is not detailed. To assess alignment with VA's strategic goals, one would need to examine the task order's statement of work. Typically, VA research focuses on improving the health and well-being of veterans, encompassing areas like medical treatments, prosthetics, mental health, and healthcare delivery systems. Without this specific information, it's impossible to definitively state the alignment, but the award to a university suggests a focus on scientific inquiry and knowledge generation relevant to veteran care.

How does the $2,026,595.37 award compare to typical research service contracts awarded to universities by the VA or other federal agencies?

The award of approximately $2 million for research services is a moderate-sized contract for an academic institution. Federal agencies, including the VA, often award research contracts and grants ranging from tens of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity of the research. For specialized or multi-year research projects, $2 million is a reasonable figure. However, a true benchmark would require comparing this to contracts for similar research topics, with similar durations, and awarded under similar contract types (e.g., firm fixed-price) to institutions of comparable size and research capacity. The sole-source nature also complicates direct comparison, as competitive awards might yield different pricing.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for research services, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which could lead to suboptimal pricing or less innovation compared to a fully competed contract. For research services, this could mean the government pays more than necessary or doesn't leverage the full spectrum of available expertise. Mitigation strategies typically involve rigorous justification for the sole-source award, ensuring it meets regulatory requirements (e.g., FAR Part 6). The government would also conduct thorough price analysis based on historical data, cost breakdowns, and market research to ensure the price is fair and reasonable. The firm fixed-price contract type also shifts some risk to the contractor, ensuring they are incentivized to manage costs effectively within the agreed-upon scope.

What is the track record of the Trustees of Boston University in performing federal research contracts, particularly with the VA?

The Trustees of Boston University have a significant track record of receiving federal funding for research, including substantial awards from agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as the Department of Defense and the VA. As a major research university, they possess extensive experience in managing complex research projects, adhering to federal regulations, and delivering scientific outcomes. Specific performance data on past VA contracts would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reports, but their status as a leading research institution implies a generally strong capability to execute such work.

Given the firm fixed-price contract type, what are the implications for scope management and potential cost overruns?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract establishes a ceiling price that the contractor must not exceed, regardless of the actual costs incurred. This shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For this research services contract, it means the Trustees of Boston University are obligated to complete the defined scope of work within the $2,026,595.37 budget. Implications include a strong incentive for the contractor to manage project costs efficiently and avoid scope creep. However, if unforeseen issues arise that necessitate a change in scope, a formal contract modification (and potentially additional funding) would be required, subject to negotiation and approval. Clear definition of the initial scope is crucial to minimize disputes and ensure successful project completion under FFP terms.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

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: 85 E NEWTON ST M-921, BOSTON, MA, 02118

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private)

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,026,595

Exercised Options: $2,026,595

Current Obligation: $2,026,595

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24E20D0016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline