VA awards $10K Legionella testing contract to Analytical Laboratories, Inc. for 89 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,349 ($10.3K)

Contractor: Analytical Laboratories, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $116/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEGIONELLA WATER TESTING BRIDGE CONTRACT 04/02/2026 - 06/30/2026

Place of Performance

Location: BANKS, BOISE County, IDAHO, 83602

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $10,349.02 to ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES, INC for work described as: LEGIONELLA WATER TESTING BRIDGE CONTRACT 04/02/2026 - 06/30/2026 Key points: 1. Contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 2. Short duration indicates a potential need for interim services or a pilot program. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about market research and potential cost efficiencies. 4. Limited competition may impact price competitiveness and innovation. 5. Focus on Legionella testing aligns with public health priorities for water safety. 6. Geographic focus on Idaho suggests a specific facility or regional need.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of approximately $10,349 for an 89-day period is modest. Without comparable contract data for Legionella water testing services, it is difficult to definitively benchmark value. However, the lack of competition and the short-term nature suggest this may be an interim solution rather than a strategic, cost-optimized procurement. Further analysis would be needed to compare pricing against industry standards for similar testing scopes.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. This means that the Department of Veterans Affairs did not solicit offers from multiple potential vendors. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances, the lack of competition here limits the agency's ability to explore a broader range of service providers and potentially secure more favorable pricing or innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value due to the absence of competitive bidding, which typically drives down costs and improves service offerings.

Public Impact

Veterans and staff at VA facilities in Idaho will benefit from ensured water safety. The service delivered is critical Legionella water testing to prevent outbreaks. Geographic impact is limited to facilities within the state of Idaho. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team from the awarded contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs than a competed contract.
Short contract duration could indicate a lack of long-term planning or a stop-gap measure.
Sole-source justification needs thorough review to ensure necessity and proper market research.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical public health concern (Legionella prevention).
Contract is for a defined, short period, limiting long-term financial commitment.
Awarded to a known entity (Analytical Laboratories, Inc.), potentially indicating prior satisfactory performance.

Sector Analysis

The market for environmental testing services, including water quality analysis for pathogens like Legionella, is a specialized segment within the broader scientific and technical services sector. This contract fits within the 'Testing Laboratories and Services' industry code (NAICS 541380). The demand for such services is driven by regulatory requirements, public health concerns, and facility management needs. While the overall market size for Legionella testing is substantial, this specific contract represents a very small portion of that market.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on its limited scope and value. The award to Analytical Laboratories, Inc. does not indicate any specific impact on the small business ecosystem in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a purchase order under SAP, the oversight mechanisms might be less formalized than for larger, competed contracts. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature. There is no specific mention of an Inspector General's involvement at this contract level, though broader VA health and safety initiatives may be subject to IG review.

Related Government Programs

VA Water Quality Monitoring Programs
Environmental Health Services Contracts
Public Health Laboratory Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Short contract duration may indicate a stop-gap measure.
Limited data available for value benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $10,349.02 to ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES, INC. LEGIONELLA WATER TESTING BRIDGE CONTRACT 04/02/2026 - 06/30/2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES, 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 $10,349.02.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the typical cost range for Legionella water testing services for a facility of similar size and scope?

Determining the typical cost range for Legionella water testing requires specific details about the number of samples, testing methodologies (e.g., culture vs. PCR), turnaround times, and geographic location. However, for a small number of samples (e.g., 5-10 samples per location) with standard turnaround, costs can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per testing event. Given the $10,349 contract value over 89 days, this suggests either a very limited scope of testing, a low frequency of testing, or potentially a higher per-unit cost due to the sole-source nature and the specific requirements of the VA facility. Without more granular data on the testing parameters and volume, a precise benchmark is challenging, but the overall value is modest for a public health-critical service.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically falls into categories such as urgency, unique capabilities of the contractor, or lack of market availability. For this contract, awarded as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' the specific justification is not provided in the summary data. Common reasons could include an emergency situation requiring immediate testing, the contractor possessing unique proprietary testing methods essential for the VA's needs, or a determination that only one source could reasonably fulfill the requirement within the necessary timeframe. A thorough review of the agency's acquisition file would be necessary to ascertain the precise justification and ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations.

How does this contract's duration and value compare to previous Legionella testing contracts awarded by the VA?

The provided data indicates a short contract duration of 89 days and a value of approximately $10,349. Without access to historical VA contract databases specifically for Legionella water testing, a direct comparison is difficult. However, this contract's characteristics suggest it might be an interim measure, a pilot program, or a contract for a very specific, limited need. Longer-term, comprehensive water safety programs often involve contracts spanning multiple years and significantly higher dollar values to cover routine testing, remediation, and monitoring across multiple facilities. This contract appears to be a small, discrete procurement.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for essential health services like water testing?

Awarding a sole-source contract for essential health services like water testing carries several potential risks. Firstly, it can lead to higher costs for taxpayers, as the absence of competition removes the downward price pressure that multiple bidders would typically exert. Secondly, it may limit access to potentially more innovative or efficient testing methods that other qualified laboratories might offer. Thirdly, it raises concerns about whether the chosen contractor is truly the best-suited provider in terms of capability, reliability, and responsiveness, as a competitive process would normally vet these aspects more thoroughly. Finally, it can create a perception of favoritism or a lack of due diligence in ensuring the government obtains the best value.

What is Analytical Laboratories, Inc.'s track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies?

The provided data identifies Analytical Laboratories, Inc. as the contractor for this specific purchase order. However, it does not offer details on their broader track record with the VA or other federal agencies. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past contracts awarded to this entity, review past performance evaluations, and check for any reported issues or disputes. Without this additional information, it's impossible to comment on their general reliability or past performance.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1804 N 33RD ST, BOISE, ID, 83703

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,349

Exercised Options: $10,349

Current Obligation: $10,349

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline