VA awards $440K research contract for lipidomic analysis to University of South Florida

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,000 ($44.0K)

Contractor: University of South Florida

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2027-04-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $121/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESEARCH LAB SERVICES - LIPIDOMIC ANALYSIS

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33620

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $44,000 to UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA for work described as: RESEARCH LAB SERVICES - LIPIDOMIC ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. 3. Potential for high-value scientific advancement in lipidomic analysis. 4. Contract duration of one year with a firm-fixed-price structure. 5. Geographic focus on Florida, potentially impacting local research ecosystem.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $440,000 for a one-year research services agreement is moderate. Benchmarking against similar lipidomic analysis contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the sole-source nature of this award raises concerns about whether the University of South Florida was selected through a competitive process that would ensure the best value for the government. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but may not incentivize efficiency if the initial price was not aggressively negotiated.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of Veterans Affairs did not conduct a competitive solicitation. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source is available or in cases of urgent need. The lack of competition means that potential alternative providers were not considered, and the government may not have benefited from a wider range of pricing and technical proposals that a competitive process could have yielded.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these specialized research services due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Benefits researchers and potentially veterans through advancements in understanding lipidomics. Delivers specialized laboratory services for lipidomic analysis. Geographic impact is primarily within Florida, supporting local research capabilities. Workforce implications include support for scientific personnel at the University of South Florida.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially broader access to expertise.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes assessing effectiveness difficult.
Research and Development contracts can carry inherent risks of not achieving desired outcomes.

Positive Signals

Award to a university suggests a focus on scientific expertise and potential for innovation.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the VA.
Specialized nature of lipidomic analysis indicates a focus on critical scientific inquiry.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation and scientific discovery. The market for specialized laboratory services like lipidomic analysis is often niche, with a limited number of highly qualified providers. The VA's spending in this area supports its mission to advance medical knowledge and improve veteran care through scientific research.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As a sole-source award to a university, the primary focus is likely on academic research capabilities rather than small business participation. This contract does not appear to directly support the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a research and development contract, specific performance metrics and milestones would be crucial for monitoring progress and ensuring accountability. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, but detailed programmatic oversight rests with the agency.

Related Government Programs

VA Research and Development Programs
Biomedical Research Contracts
University Research Partnerships
Life Sciences Research Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit value for money.
Lack of competition could reduce innovation.
Research outcomes are inherently uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $44,000 to UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA. RESEARCH LAB SERVICES - LIPIDOMIC ANALYSIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA.

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 $44,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2027-04-14.

What is the track record of the University of South Florida in performing similar research services for the federal government?

The University of South Florida (USF) has a history of receiving federal funding for research, including grants and contracts from various agencies. While specific details on past performance for 'lipidomic analysis' services under federal contracts are not provided in this data, USF is a recognized research institution with significant capabilities in life sciences. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG or SAM.gov would be necessary to identify and analyze past contracts awarded to USF for similar services, assess their performance history, and evaluate their success in meeting federal requirements and objectives.

How does the $440,000 contract value compare to similar lipidomic analysis services procured by the federal government?

Benchmarking the $440,000 contract value for lipidomic analysis services is challenging without more granular data on the specific scope of work, deliverables, and the duration of comparable contracts. Lipidomic analysis can vary significantly in complexity and cost depending on the techniques used, the number of samples, and the depth of analysis required. Generally, specialized scientific research services can command substantial funding. A comprehensive comparison would require analyzing recent federal contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541715) and keywords related to 'lipidomics,' 'mass spectrometry,' or 'biomarker discovery' to identify a range of pricing and contract values.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source research contract?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source research contract include a lack of competitive pricing, potentially leading to suboptimal value for the government. Without competition, there's less incentive for the contractor to offer the most cost-effective solution. Additionally, the sole-source nature might mean that alternative or potentially more innovative approaches from other research institutions were not explored. There's also the inherent risk in R&D that the research objectives may not be fully met or that the outcomes may not yield the anticipated scientific advancements within the contract period and budget.

How effective is the Department of Veterans Affairs in managing research and development contracts to ensure program success?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manages a substantial portfolio of research and development contracts aimed at improving veteran health and healthcare. The effectiveness of these contracts varies widely depending on the specific program, the clarity of objectives, the rigor of oversight, and the capabilities of the performing institution. The VA has established processes for R&D contract management, including scientific peer review and program oversight. However, like any large federal agency, challenges can arise in ensuring consistent performance, timely delivery, and optimal resource utilization across all its research endeavors.

What is the historical spending pattern of the VA for research services in the physical, engineering, and life sciences?

The Department of Veterans Affairs consistently allocates significant funding towards research and development, particularly in the life sciences, to address the unique health needs of veterans. Historical spending data indicates a strong commitment to areas such as biomedical research, clinical trials, and health services research. While the specific amount dedicated to 'lipidomic analysis' or NAICS code 541715 fluctuates annually based on research priorities and available funding, the VA's overall investment in R&D within the physical, engineering, and life sciences has been substantial and is a core component of its mission to advance medical knowledge and improve care.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C24E26Q0023

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4202 E FOWLER AVE, TAMPA, FL, 33620

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,000

Exercised Options: $44,000

Current Obligation: $44,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline