VA awards $1.18M to Case Western Reserve University for statistical support services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $117,511 ($117.5K)

Contractor: Case Western Reserve University

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-05-01

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $80/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: FES CENTER CWRU STATISTICAL SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44106

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $117,510.63 to CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY for work described as: FES CENTER CWRU STATISTICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Services align with R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Long contract duration of 4 years may indicate specialized needs. 4. No small business set-aside, potentially impacting smaller firms. 5. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 6. Performance is in Ohio, with potential for broader geographic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.18 million over four years is modest for specialized research support. Benchmarking is difficult without more detail on the specific statistical services required. However, the lack of competition suggests potential for overpayment if market rates for similar expertise are lower. The fixed-price nature provides some cost control, but the absence of competitive bidding is a concern for value.

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 unique capability or specialized expertise is required that cannot be met by multiple sources. The lack of competition means that the VA did not benefit from a bidding process, which could have driven down prices or offered a wider range of solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to leverage competition to secure the best possible pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved statistical analysis supporting VA research initiatives. Services delivered include statistical support for research and development projects. Geographic impact is centered in Ohio, where Case Western Reserve University is located. Workforce implications include specialized roles for statisticians and researchers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential for cost savings.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics raises concerns about ongoing value.
No indication of small business participation or subcontracting opportunities.

Positive Signals

Award to a known academic institution with potential for specialized expertise.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the award.
Services directly support the Department of Veterans Affairs' research mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on statistical support for physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for such specialized analytical services is often niche, with a limited number of academic institutions and private firms possessing the required expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the precise nature of the statistical analysis, but federal agencies frequently contract for such support to augment internal capabilities.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for them. The award to a large university suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized research capabilities rather than fostering small business participation. This could limit opportunities for small businesses in the statistical analysis and R&D support domain within this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. As a sole-source award, the justification and terms are critical for accountability. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Research and Development Programs
Federal Statistical Services
University Research Partnerships
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Long contract duration without clear performance benchmarks.
Limited transparency regarding specific services and deliverables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $117,510.63 to CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY. FES CENTER CWRU STATISTICAL SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CASE WESTERN RESERVE 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 $117,510.63.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the specific nature of the statistical support required by the VA from Case Western Reserve University?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'FES CENTER CWRU STATISTICAL SUPPORT' under NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). While the specific statistical methodologies or research areas are not detailed, it implies support for scientific research projects managed by the VA. This could range from experimental design and data collection protocols to advanced statistical modeling, analysis of research findings, and preparation of reports. The long duration suggests ongoing support for a significant research portfolio or a complex, multi-year research initiative.

How does the $1.18 million contract value compare to similar statistical support contracts awarded by the VA or other agencies?

Benchmarking this $1.18 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services. However, federal agencies often procure statistical support through various mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, and service contracts. Sole-source awards, like this one, can sometimes be at a premium compared to competitively bid contracts. The value appears modest for a four-year engagement, suggesting either a highly specialized niche or a focused set of tasks. A comprehensive comparison would require analyzing contracts with similar NAICS codes and service descriptions, considering the contractor's institutional overhead and the complexity of the research supported.

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

The primary risk is the lack of price competition, which could lead to the government paying more than necessary for the statistical support services. Without a competitive bidding process, it's harder to ascertain if Case Western Reserve University's pricing is aligned with market rates for similar expertise. Another risk is the potential for scope creep or inefficiencies over the four-year period, as there is less external pressure to optimize performance and cost. Finally, the justification for the sole-source award needs to be robust to ensure that competition was genuinely not feasible or advantageous.

What is Case Western Reserve University's track record with federal research and statistical support contracts?

Case Western Reserve University is a well-established research institution that frequently engages in federal contracts and grants across various scientific disciplines. While specific details on their past performance in statistical support for the VA are not provided here, universities of this caliber typically have dedicated research administration offices and experienced faculty capable of managing complex projects. Their track record would generally be considered strong in terms of academic and research output, but specific performance metrics on prior VA contracts would be needed for a complete assessment of their reliability and efficiency in delivering these particular services.

How does this contract align with the VA's broader mission and research objectives?

This contract directly supports the VA's mission by providing essential statistical expertise for its research and development initiatives. The VA conducts extensive research aimed at improving healthcare, understanding diseases, and enhancing the well-being of veterans. Statistical analysis is fundamental to the scientific method, enabling researchers to interpret data, draw valid conclusions, and ensure the rigor of their findings. By outsourcing this specialized support to an institution like Case Western Reserve University, the VA can leverage external academic strengths to advance its research agenda and ultimately benefit veterans through evidence-based advancements.

What are the potential implications of the fixed-price contract type for this R&D support?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as indicated, means the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs. For R&D support, this can be advantageous for the government as it provides cost certainty and shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. However, it can also incentivize the contractor to minimize effort or quality if not carefully managed, especially in a sole-source scenario. The effectiveness of FFP in R&D depends heavily on how well the scope of work is defined and whether the contractor has sufficient incentive to innovate and deliver high-quality results within the agreed price.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10900 EUCLID AVE, CLEVELAND, OH, 44106

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: $149,151

Exercised Options: $149,151

Current Obligation: $117,511

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline