BLM-AFS Medical Director contract awarded to Joseph C. Livengood, M.D., Prof. LLC for $800,000

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $80,000 ($80.0K)

Contractor: Joseph C. Livengood, M.D., Prof. LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-03-10

End Date: 2027-03-09

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $55/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BLM-AFS MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRBANKS, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR County, ALASKA, 99712

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $80,000 to JOSEPH C. LIVENGOOD, M.D., PROF. LLC for work described as: BLM-AFS MEDICAL DIRECTOR Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. The contract duration of 1460 days suggests a long-term need for medical director services. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the absence of competition raises value concerns. 4. The service falls under the 'Offices of Physicians' category, indicating specialized medical expertise is required. 5. The contract is geographically focused on Alaska, potentially reflecting unique regional healthcare needs. 6. No small business set-aside was applied, with no indication of subcontracting plans.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $800,000 over approximately four years for a medical director role requires careful benchmarking. Without competitive bids, it is difficult to assess if this represents a fair market price. The absence of comparable contracts in the provided data makes a direct comparison challenging. However, the sole-source nature raises a red flag regarding potential overpayment or lack of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required service, often due to unique qualifications or circumstances. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have driven down prices or spurred innovation from multiple providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best value for their money due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska, which will receive essential medical director services. The contract ensures the provision of medical oversight and expertise for BLM operations in Alaska. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alaska, addressing the specific healthcare needs of federal employees in the region. Workforce implications include the direct engagement of a specialized medical professional, potentially supporting the health and safety of BLM personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential value for money.
Lack of transparency in the justification for a sole-source award.
Potential for higher costs compared to a competitively bid contract.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type helps to define and control costs.
Contract awarded to a specific medical professional LLC, suggesting specialized expertise.
Long-term duration indicates a stable and ongoing need for the service.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, particularly within government contracting, often involves specialized professional services. Contracts for medical directors are crucial for ensuring the health and safety of federal employees, especially in remote or challenging environments like Alaska. While specific market size data for 'medical director' services for federal agencies is not readily available, the broader physician services market is substantial. This contract fits within the niche of supporting federal agency operational needs with specialized medical expertise.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, nor is there any indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award is made to a professional limited liability company, which may or may not qualify as a small business depending on its size and revenue. The absence of specific small business provisions suggests that the primary focus was on securing the specialized medical expertise required, rather than promoting small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance of the medical director against the contract's requirements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. There is no specific mention of an Inspector General's jurisdiction for this particular contract, but the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General generally oversees federal spending.

Related Government Programs

Federal Physician Services Contracts
Bureau of Land Management Healthcare Support
Alaska Federal Employee Health Services
Sole-Source Professional Services Awards

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for non-competitive pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $80,000 to JOSEPH C. LIVENGOOD, M.D., PROF. LLC. BLM-AFS MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOSEPH C. LIVENGOOD, M.D., PROF. LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $80,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-10. End: 2027-03-09.

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

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded on a sole-source basis ('CT': 'NOT COMPETED'). However, the specific justification for this determination is not included in the abbreviated data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when a unique service or capability is required that only one vendor can provide, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without further documentation, it is impossible to definitively state the reason. This lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government explored all available options to secure the best value and whether alternative providers could have met the requirements.

How does the contract value of $800,000 compare to similar medical director contracts for federal agencies?

Direct comparison of the $800,000 contract value for the BLM-AFS Medical Director role to similar federal contracts is challenging without access to a broader database of federal procurements. The value is spread over approximately four years (1460 days), suggesting an annual cost of around $200,000. Factors influencing this cost include the scope of services, required qualifications, geographic location (Alaska may incur higher costs due to logistics), and the specific needs of the agency. The sole-source nature of this award also complicates benchmarking, as competitive bids often result in lower prices. Further analysis would require identifying comparable contracts with similar service scopes and durations.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract for essential medical services?

The primary risk of a sole-source contract for essential medical services is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the awarded vendor may not be incentivized to offer the most competitive pricing. Additionally, there's a risk that the government might not be aware of or able to access potentially better-qualified or more cost-effective providers. Transparency can also be a concern, as the justification for a sole-source award needs to be robust to ensure public funds are used appropriately. This can limit accountability and oversight compared to a fully competed contract.

What is the expected performance standard for the medical director under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance standards or deliverables for the medical director. However, as a 'Medical Director,' the expected performance would generally include providing expert medical advice, overseeing health and safety programs, ensuring compliance with medical regulations, and potentially managing medical aspects of emergency response for the Bureau of Land Management's Alaska operations. The contract is firm fixed-price, implying that the contractor is expected to deliver the agreed-upon services for the stated price. Performance would likely be evaluated based on the quality and timeliness of medical guidance, responsiveness to agency needs, and adherence to professional medical standards.

What is the historical spending pattern for medical director services by the Bureau of Land Management or Department of the Interior?

The provided data only includes information for this single contract and does not offer historical spending patterns for medical director services by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Department of the Interior (DOI). To assess historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded over previous fiscal years. Analyzing past awards could reveal trends in contract values, durations, types of services procured, and whether these services were typically competed or awarded sole-source. This would provide context for the current $800,000 award and help determine if spending has increased or remained consistent.

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: 140L0223Q0013

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 759 HAIDA LN, FAIRBANKS, AK, 99712

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $80,000

Exercised Options: $80,000

Current Obligation: $80,000

Actual Outlays: $60,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline