DoD Spends $72.6M on Forensic Pathology Services via Sole-Source Contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $72,640,175 ($72.6M)
Contractor: American Registry of Pathology
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-04-01
End Date: 2015-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,642 days
Daily Burn Rate: $44.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: FORENSIC PATHOLOGY AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $72.6 million to AMERICAN REGISTRY OF PATHOLOGY for work described as: FORENSIC PATHOLOGY AND SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant spending on specialized forensic pathology services. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Long contract duration (2011-2015) may indicate potential for cost overruns. 4. Services fall under physician offices, a broad category.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $72.6 million over four years for forensic pathology services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this pricing is optimal compared to similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding on this significant contract.
Public Impact
Essential forensic services for military and potentially civilian cases are covered. The lack of competition could impact the availability or cost of these critical services. Transparency in sole-source procurements is crucial for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source procurement
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- High contract value
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Definitive contract type
Sector Analysis
Forensic pathology services are highly specialized, often falling under healthcare or professional services. Benchmarks are difficult without specific service details, but the value suggests a significant need within the Department of Defense.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses, and the nature of specialized forensic pathology services may make it challenging for smaller entities to compete.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract warrants close oversight to ensure the services are necessary, performed effectively, and priced reasonably, despite the lack of competition.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Potential for inflated costs due to no competition.
- Long contract duration may hide inefficiencies.
- Lack of transparency in sole-source justification.
- Difficulty in benchmarking specialized services.
Tags
offices-of-physicians-except-mental-heal, department-of-defense, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $72.6 million to AMERICAN REGISTRY OF PATHOLOGY. FORENSIC PATHOLOGY AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN REGISTRY OF PATHOLOGY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $72.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-04-01. End: 2015-09-29.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or a lack of available alternatives. For forensic pathology, it might relate to specific expertise or established relationships. Further investigation into the specific reasons cited by the Department of Defense is needed to validate this.
How was the 'COST NO FEE' pricing structure determined to be fair and reasonable?
A 'COST NO FEE' contract means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs but pays no fee. Determining fairness and reasonableness without competition is challenging. It implies the contractor's primary motivation is cost recovery, but oversight is critical to ensure costs are controlled and necessary.
What mechanisms were in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of services provided under this sole-source contract?
Even without competition, quality assurance is vital. Mechanisms likely included performance standards, regular reporting, site visits, and potentially independent reviews of forensic findings. The contract's definitive nature suggests a focus on specific deliverables, but the absence of competitive pressure necessitates robust government monitoring.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W81K0411R0008
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 14TH ALASKA AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20306
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $89,253,836
Exercised Options: $89,253,836
Current Obligation: $72,640,175
Actual Outlays: $-98,616
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-04-01
Current End Date: 2015-09-29
Potential End Date: 2015-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-06-08
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