VA awards $5.2M for clinical practice guidelines, with SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, LLC managing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,223,331 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Sigma Health Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-07-10

End Date: 2026-07-09

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EVIDENCE BASED CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20904

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $5.2 million to SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: EVIDENCE BASED CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized consulting services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. Contract duration of two years provides a stable period for service delivery. 5. SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, LLC's role in developing evidence-based guidelines is critical for VA's clinical standards. 6. The contract aligns with the VA's strategic goal of improving healthcare quality through updated clinical practices.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.2 million over two years for developing clinical practice guidelines is within a reasonable range for specialized professional services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for guideline development or healthcare consulting indicates that this award is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the VA has a clear understanding of the scope and has negotiated a price that aims to provide good value, assuming the deliverables meet quality expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition suggests a robust process aimed at achieving fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that is designed to secure the best possible price and quality for the services rendered, reducing the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from updated and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, leading to improved healthcare quality and consistency. Healthcare providers within the VA system will receive standardized protocols for patient care. The development of these guidelines supports the VA's mission to provide comprehensive healthcare to its beneficiaries. The contract's impact is national, affecting healthcare delivery across all VA facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'evidence-based' is not strictly managed.
Dependence on the expertise and timely delivery from SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, LLC.
Ensuring the guidelines are practical and implementable across diverse VA healthcare settings.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
Clear objective of developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines aligns with healthcare quality improvement goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on healthcare consulting and guideline development. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in clinical research, policy development, and healthcare management. The VA's spending in this area is significant, reflecting its commitment to maintaining high standards of care through up-to-date medical knowledge and practices.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, the primary focus was likely on technical capability and price from all eligible sources, rather than specific small business participation goals. Further analysis would be needed to determine if SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, LLC has a history of subcontracting with small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of financial oversight by setting a ceiling on costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and review processes are internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

VA Healthcare Quality Improvement Programs
Clinical Decision Support Systems
Medical Research and Development Contracts
Healthcare Policy Development Services

Risk Flags

Contractor performance history not detailed.
Specific number of bidders not provided.
Detailed scope of work and deliverables not specified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $5.2 million to SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, LLC. EVIDENCE BASED CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, 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 $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-10. End: 2026-07-09.

What is the specific scope of work for developing these 'Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guidelines'?

The specific scope of work for developing these 'Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guidelines' is not detailed in the provided data. However, typically, such contracts involve systematic reviews of medical literature, synthesis of research findings, consultation with clinical experts and stakeholders, and the formulation of recommendations for clinical practice. This process aims to translate the best available scientific evidence into practical guidance for healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes and ensure consistent, high-quality care across the VA system. The contract duration of two years suggests a comprehensive approach to guideline development, potentially covering multiple clinical areas or complex conditions.

How does the $5.2 million contract value compare to similar guideline development contracts within the federal government?

The $5.2 million contract value for developing clinical practice guidelines over two years appears to be within a reasonable range for federal healthcare consulting services. While exact comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific clinical areas or the number of guidelines to be developed, similar contracts for comprehensive guideline development, systematic reviews, and expert consultations can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the medical topics, the depth of literature review required, the number of expert panels convened, and the extent of stakeholder engagement. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award suggests the VA has defined the scope sufficiently to establish a clear budget.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, LLC under this contract?

Key performance indicators and deliverables are not explicitly detailed in the provided summary data. However, for a contract focused on developing Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, expected deliverables would typically include comprehensive literature review reports, draft and final guideline documents, executive summaries, implementation toolkits, and potentially presentations or training materials for VA clinicians. Performance would likely be assessed based on the timeliness of these deliverables, the quality and rigor of the evidence synthesis, adherence to established guideline development methodologies, and the clarity and usability of the final guidelines. The VA program office would be responsible for monitoring progress against these expectations.

What is SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, LLC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs or similar healthcare organizations?

Information regarding SIGMA HEALTH CONSULTING, LLC's specific track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs or similar healthcare organizations is not provided in the summary data. To assess their suitability, a deeper dive into their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving healthcare consulting, clinical guideline development, or research synthesis, would be necessary. This would typically involve reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history databases (like SAM.gov), and potentially seeking feedback from previous government clients to understand their reliability, quality of work, and ability to meet deadlines and manage complex projects.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks associated with this contract include the quality and applicability of the developed guidelines, potential delays in delivery, and ensuring the contractor's expertise aligns with the complex clinical areas. Mitigation strategies likely include the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to complete the work within budget. The VA's oversight by contracting officers and program managers is crucial for monitoring progress and ensuring quality. Furthermore, the requirement for 'evidence-based' guidelines implies a rigorous methodology that, if properly executed, should lead to high-quality, scientifically sound recommendations. The full and open competition process also helps mitigate risks by selecting a capable contractor.

How does this contract align with broader VA initiatives for improving healthcare quality and patient outcomes?

This contract directly aligns with the VA's overarching strategic goals of enhancing healthcare quality and improving patient outcomes. By funding the development of Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, the VA aims to standardize care, ensure that treatments and protocols are informed by the latest scientific research, and reduce variations in care that can lead to suboptimal results. These guidelines serve as critical tools for clinicians, promoting best practices, reducing medical errors, and ultimately contributing to better health for veterans. This initiative is a fundamental component of the VA's commitment to providing world-class healthcare.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 204 ELDRID DR, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20904

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,223,331

Exercised Options: $5,223,331

Current Obligation: $5,223,331

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10G23D0057

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline