VA awards $275K for UIowa research transcription services, extending through April 2027
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,500 ($27.5K)
Contractor: THE University of Iowa
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2026-04-15
End Date: 2027-04-14
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $76/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE VA FOR UIOWA RESEARCH.
Place of Performance
Location: IOWA CITY, JOHNSON County, IOWA, 52242
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $27,500 to THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA for work described as: TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE VA FOR UIOWA RESEARCH. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to The University of Iowa for specialized transcription. 2. Focus on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. No competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type. 5. Potential for future related research needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $275,000 for a 364-day duration appears reasonable for specialized transcription services in a research context. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach. The specific justification for this method is not detailed, which may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been fully competed, though the exact impact is unknown without further analysis.
Public Impact
Supports critical research activities at the VA. Enhances data accuracy and accessibility for research findings. Benefits the University of Iowa through research funding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 76 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Limited transparency in price discovery
Positive Signals
- Supports VA research mission
- Clear contract duration and end date
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement, but requires careful oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a university, not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of SAP without full competition warrants oversight to ensure the government received fair value. Accountability for the procurement decision and justification for limited competition is essential.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of detailed justification for procurement method
- Potential for non-optimal pricing due to lack of competition
- No small business participation noted
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-veterans-affairs, ia, definitive-contract, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $27,500 to THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE VA FOR UIOWA RESEARCH.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA.
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 $27,500.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2027-04-14.
What is the specific justification for not competing this contract under SAP?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. A full justification would typically involve factors like urgency, a single source with unique capabilities, or specific program requirements that preclude full and open competition. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if the limited competition was appropriate or if it led to suboptimal pricing.
How does the cost of these transcription services compare to market rates for similar R&D support?
The contract value is $275,000 for a 364-day period. To assess value, this cost needs to be benchmarked against prevailing market rates for specialized transcription services supporting physical, engineering, and life sciences research. Factors like turnaround time, accuracy requirements, and specialized terminology can influence pricing, making direct comparison challenging without detailed service specifications.
What is the potential impact of this limited competition on future VA research support contracts?
If the justification for limited competition is not robust, it could set a precedent for similar procurements, potentially reducing competitive pressure and leading to higher costs across future VA research support contracts. Conversely, if the sole source has unique, indispensable capabilities, it might be a necessary exception. Consistent oversight is needed to ensure fair competition is pursued whenever feasible.
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 UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 105 JESSUP HALL, IOWA CITY, IA, 52242
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: $110,000
Exercised Options: $27,500
Current Obligation: $27,500
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-15
Current End Date: 2027-04-14
Potential End Date: 2030-04-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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