VA awards $5.98M contract for health outreach and training support to SoldierPoint Digital Health

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,982,480 ($6.0M)

Contractor: Soldierpoint Digital Health, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-09-15

End Date: 2024-09-14

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HOPAT VI - HEALTH OUTREACH, PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND TRAINING SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICKSBURG, SPOTSYLVANIA County, VIRGINIA, 22408

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $6.0 million to SOLDIERPOINT DIGITAL HEALTH, LLC for work described as: HOPAT VI - HEALTH OUTREACH, PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND TRAINING SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential for competitive pricing. 2. The contract duration of 365 days suggests a focused, short-term need for services. 3. No small business set-aside was utilized, potentially impacting small business participation. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The specific NAICS code (334111) indicates a focus on electronic computer manufacturing, which may not directly align with 'health outreach and training support communications'.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking value for this specific contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and the potential misalignment of the NAICS code with the stated services. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if the $5.98 million price represents a fair market value for health outreach, public awareness, and training support communications. The contract's value appears substantial for a single year of service, but its true value proposition hinges on the effectiveness and scope of the delivered communications.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of Veterans Affairs did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This approach bypasses the competitive process, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. The lack of competition means there is no direct comparison to other offers to gauge price reasonableness or contractor performance against alternatives.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value due to the absence of a competitive bidding process, which could have led to lower costs or more innovative solutions.

Public Impact

Veterans are the primary beneficiaries, receiving improved health outreach, public awareness, and training information. The contract supports the delivery of critical communications related to health services and programs. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, reaching veterans across the United States. The contract may indirectly support a workforce involved in digital health communications and training development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing and innovation.
Potential mismatch between NAICS code (Electronic Computer Manufacturing) and stated contract purpose (communications support).
Lack of transparency in the justification for a sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts financial risk to the contractor.
Contract duration of one year allows for focused service delivery and potential re-evaluation.
Award to a single vendor may indicate a specialized capability required for the task.

Sector Analysis

The health communications sector is a growing area, particularly within government agencies focused on public health and outreach. This contract falls within the broader IT and professional services landscape, specifically addressing digital communication strategies. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely based on the scope and complexity of campaigns, but government spending on health-related IT and communication services is substantial. The NAICS code 334111, typically associated with electronic computer manufacturing, is an unusual fit for a communications support contract, raising questions about the precise nature of the services procured.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in delivering these services are limited unless they are subcontractors to the prime vendor, SoldierPoint Digital Health, LLC. The absence of a set-aside may reduce the direct economic benefit to the small business ecosystem for this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, as the justification for not competing the contract is not publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Health Information Technology
VA Public Health Initiatives
VA Digital Communications Strategy
Federal Health Outreach Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential NAICS code mismatch with contract services.
Limited transparency on performance metrics and justification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $6.0 million to SOLDIERPOINT DIGITAL HEALTH, LLC. HOPAT VI - HEALTH OUTREACH, PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND TRAINING SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOLDIERPOINT DIGITAL HEALTH, LLC.

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 $6.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-15. End: 2024-09-14.

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

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded on a 'NOT COMPETED' basis, which is synonymous with a sole-source award. However, the specific justification for this determination is not included in the data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without further documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the precise rationale remains unknown. This lack of transparency can raise concerns about whether the government explored all available options to ensure competitive pricing and maximize value for taxpayer dollars.

How does the NAICS code 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing) align with the contract's stated purpose of 'Health Outreach, Public Awareness, and Training Support Communications'?

The NAICS code 334111, 'Electronic Computer Manufacturing,' is typically associated with businesses that design, manufacture, and assemble electronic computers and related devices. This code appears to be a significant mismatch with the contract's stated purpose, which involves communications, outreach, and training support. It is possible that the contractor, SoldierPoint Digital Health, LLC, has diversified capabilities, or that the NAICS code was selected based on a specific component of the service delivery that involves technology or manufacturing-related aspects not immediately apparent from the contract title. However, this discrepancy warrants further investigation to understand the precise nature of the services being procured and ensure the correct classification for accurate market analysis and future procurement planning.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. As a 'Health Outreach, Public Awareness, and Training Support Communications Contract,' expected deliverables likely include the development and dissemination of communication materials (e.g., websites, social media content, informational brochures, training modules), strategic communication plans, public awareness campaigns, and potentially analytics on campaign reach and effectiveness. The performance of SoldierPoint Digital Health, LLC would be evaluated against these specific outputs and outcomes, as outlined in the contract's statement of work. Without access to the full contract document, a precise list of KPIs and deliverables cannot be provided.

What is the track record of SoldierPoint Digital Health, LLC with the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of SoldierPoint Digital Health, LLC with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or other federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance history, one would typically look at past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Given this is a sole-source award, understanding the contractor's prior experience and demonstrated capabilities, especially in health communications and training support, would be crucial for validating the decision to award without competition.

How does the $5.98 million contract value compare to similar health communications contracts awarded by the VA or other agencies?

Direct comparison of the $5.98 million contract value is difficult without knowing the specific scope, duration, and deliverables. However, for a one-year contract focused on health outreach, public awareness, and training support communications, this amount is substantial. Government spending on large-scale public health campaigns and communication strategies can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the target audience, complexity, and media channels used. The sole-source nature of this award prevents a direct benchmark against competitive bids, making it harder to definitively assess if this represents optimal value for money compared to what could have been achieved through a competitive process.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2121 COOPERATIVE WAY STE 500, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,982,480

Exercised Options: $5,982,480

Current Obligation: $5,982,480

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10G21D0016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline