VA Awards $66M for Blood Bank Testing Quality Control at Boise VA Medical Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $66,066 ($66.1K)

Contractor: Quidelortho Sales Company, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2020-10-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,007 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BLOOD BANK TESTING QUALITY CONTROL FOR BOISE VA MEDICAL CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: ROCHESTER, MONROE County, NEW YORK, 14626

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $66,066.35 to QUIDELORTHO SALES COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BLOOD BANK TESTING QUALITY CONTROL FOR BOISE VA MEDICAL CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC for essential medical supplies. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration spans over five years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The sector is Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, crucial for healthcare quality.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $66.07 million over approximately 5.5 years suggests a substantial but potentially reasonable investment for critical quality control services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for laboratory instruments and reagents would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery. It allows multiple vendors to bid, theoretically driving down costs and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for the blood bank testing quality control systems.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best possible price for essential medical supplies and services, ensuring funds are used efficiently for veteran healthcare.

Public Impact

Ensures accurate and reliable blood testing for veterans at the Boise VA Medical Center. Supports the operational efficiency and quality of diagnostic services within the VA system. Contributes to patient safety by maintaining high standards in laboratory quality control.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases over the contract's long duration.
Dependence on a single supplier for critical quality control reagents.
Ensuring adequate training and support for the instruments provided.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports critical healthcare functions for veterans.
Long-term contract provides stability for service provision.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, which is vital for healthcare diagnostics. Spending in this area is generally driven by the need for accurate testing, patient safety, and regulatory compliance, with benchmarks varying based on instrument complexity and consumables required.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate in this full and open competition or if subcontracting opportunities exist.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure the quality of the testing, adherence to delivery schedules, and proper utilization of funds throughout the contract's lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to price escalation.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Dependence on a single supplier for critical components.
Need for ongoing VA oversight to ensure quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $66,066.35 to QUIDELORTHO SALES COMPANY, LLC. BLOOD BANK TESTING QUALITY CONTROL FOR BOISE VA MEDICAL CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is QUIDELORTHO SALES COMPANY, LLC.

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 $66,066.35.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-10-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the projected annual cost of this contract, and how does it compare to similar quality control programs at other VA medical centers?

The total award is $66.07 million over approximately 65 months (October 2020 to March 2026). This averages to roughly $1.02 million per month, or $12.2 million annually. A comparative analysis with other VA centers would require access to similar contract data, but this figure represents a significant investment in maintaining high-quality diagnostic services.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on QuidelOrtho Sales Company, LLC for this critical function over a 5.5-year period?

Risks include potential supply chain disruptions for reagents or instruments, vendor lock-in limiting future flexibility, and the possibility of price increases not fully captured in the initial fixed-price agreement. Ensuring robust contract management and contingency planning by the VA is essential to mitigate these risks.

How effectively will this contract ensure the ongoing quality and reliability of blood bank testing at the Boise VA Medical Center?

The contract's effectiveness hinges on the quality of the instruments and reagents provided by QuidelOrtho, coupled with the VA's diligent oversight. Regular performance reviews, adherence to quality control protocols, and prompt resolution of any issues will be critical to ensuring reliable testing and patient safety.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9975 SUMMERS RIDGE RD, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $71,387

Exercised Options: $66,066

Current Obligation: $66,066

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: V797D60637

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline