Department of Veterans Affairs Awarded a Contract to CRITERION LABORATORIES INC for $11,300.00

Summary of Award

The awarded contract detailed in the JSON data represents a federal agreement between the United States government, specifically the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Criterion Laboratories Inc. This contract is central to providing urgent abatement monitoring and air testing services at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, specifically in the 1 East Wing area where asbestos abatement activities are taking place. Given the hazardous nature of asbestos, these services are critical to ensuring the safety and health of individuals in and around the medical center.

### Overview of the Contract

The contract, identified by the award ID **36C24425P0444**, is a **purchase order** under the category of contract. Its unique award ID helps in differentiating it from other federal government transactions. The total obligation for this contract is **$11,300**, which covers the cost of the specified services. Both the base exercised options and the base with all options reflect the same financial obligation, indicating there are no additional options anticipated beyond this initial outlay. Signed on **April 10, 2025**, the period of performance extends from **April 11, 2025**, to **May 19, 2025**. The entire execution and completion of the task are expected to fall within these specified dates, ensuring a timely response to the urgent need for air testing and monitoring services in the context of asbestos abatement. ### Recipient Details Criterion Laboratories Inc., the contract recipient, is a well-established entity within the realm of environmental and remediation services. Operating out of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Criterion Laboratories is categorized as a small business under the Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt and U.S.-Owned Business categories. These designations underline its qualification for the specific business set-aside aspects in federal contracting, although no set-aside was used in this contract. The firm specializes in services that include environmental testing, hazardous material assessment, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. ### Nature and Significance of Services The services to be rendered by Criterion Laboratories cover **abatement monitoring and air testing**, which are crucial for maintaining safety standards in environments where asbestos removal is conducted. Asbestos is a hazardous material known to cause severe respiratory issues and other health complications if disturbed without proper safety measures in place. The presence of Criterion Laboratories ensures that environments are assessed and remediated following stringent safety protocols, as described by the industry standards covered under the NAICS code **562910** for `Remediation Services` and the PSC code **H399** for `Inspection - Miscellaneous`. ### Competition and Contract Specifications The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), with only one offer received, indicating a limited competition scenario. This emphasizes the specialized nature of the services or the immediacy and urgency of the need. The type of contract pricing is described as **firm fixed price**, which assures both the government and the contractor of the financial terms without subject to escalation or additional charges outside the agreed amount of **$11,300**. ### Transaction Specifics Examining the transactions, we observe that there is one core transaction associated with this award, dated **April 10, 2025**. This transaction matches the total value of the contract and involves the awarding and funding agency as the Department of Veterans Affairs. It further validates the transaction amount of **$11,300** exclusively allocated for the described services. With no modifications, loan value, or subsidy cost involved, the contract is straightforward in its financial stipulations. ### Administrative and Oversight Aspects There is a notable absence of a subcontracting plan requirement, suggesting that Criterion Laboratories will handle all aspects of the contract without outsourcing work to additional subcontractors. This highlights confidence in the recipient’s capacity to fulfill the agreement independently. Furthermore, the contract adheres to labor standards, affirming compliance with federal regulations concerning wage rates and worker rights. ### Conclusion The awarded contract to Criterion Laboratories Inc. marks a concerted effort by the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the necessary safety measures are in place during asbestos abatement activities. Through this collaboration, the federal government underscores its commitment to maintaining safe environments for its veterans and staff at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center. Criterion Laboratories, with its expertise and compliance, stands as a pivotal partner in executing this crucial environmental and health-related task effectively and efficiently.