VA awards $6M contract for simulation learning and research to Emerge Solutions Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,054,361 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Emerge Solutions Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-09-07

End Date: 2025-09-06

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: SIMULATION LEARNING, EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH NETWORK RESUSCITATION EDUCATION AND INNOVATION (REDI)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $6.1 million to EMERGE SOLUTIONS GROUP LLC for work described as: SIMULATION LEARNING, EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH NETWORK RESUSCITATION EDUCATION AND INNOVATION (REDI) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Emerge Solutions Group LLC for simulation learning and research. 2. The contract is valued at $6,054,361.28 and runs for 1460 days. 3. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the contracting agency. 4. The contract type is a definitive contract. 5. The NAICS code is 621399, indicating Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $6.05M for a 4-year period for simulation learning and research is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the services provided. Pricing for labor hours can vary significantly based on skill sets and project scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', suggesting a limited competition or sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a fully competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these simulation learning and research services.

Public Impact

Veterans may benefit from improved training and research through enhanced simulation technologies. The contract supports a specific company, Emerge Solutions Group LLC, in the health practitioner services sector. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term commitment to these services by the VA.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing due to limited competition
Unclear service details for cost assessment

Positive Signals

Supports VA's mission in veteran healthcare education and research
Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners (NAICS 621399). Spending in this sector can vary widely depending on the specific services, but simulation and research often involve specialized expertise and technology.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses, and the awardee is Emerge Solutions Group LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this company qualifies as a small business or if opportunities were missed for other small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, adherence to labor hour agreements, and ensuring the services meet the stated objectives for simulation learning and research.

Related Government Programs

Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
Lack of detailed service description makes cost-effectiveness difficult to assess.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to limited competition.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $6.1 million to EMERGE SOLUTIONS GROUP LLC. SIMULATION LEARNING, EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH NETWORK RESUSCITATION EDUCATION AND INNOVATION (REDI)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EMERGE SOLUTIONS GROUP 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 $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-07. End: 2025-09-06.

What specific simulation learning, evaluation, assessment, and research services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with the VA's strategic goals for veteran care and educat

The contract details for SIMULATION LEARNING, EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH NETWORK RESUSCITATION EDUCATION AND INNOVATION (REDI) are limited. To assess alignment, one would need to review the Statement of Work (SOW) to understand the specific research questions, simulation methodologies, and evaluation metrics. This would clarify how the services directly contribute to improving veteran healthcare outcomes, training protocols, or medical research advancements within the VA.

Given the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status, what justification was provided for limiting competition, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for limiting competition is crucial for understanding the pricing. Typically, such justifications cite unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific circumstances. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is fair and reasonable. A thorough review would involve examining the sole-source justification documentation and any independent government cost estimates or market research conducted to validate the proposed labor hour rates and overall contract value.

How will the effectiveness of the simulation learning and research be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure taxpayer value?

Measuring effectiveness requires clearly defined KPIs tied to the contract's objectives. For simulation learning, KPIs might include trainee performance improvements, knowledge retention rates, or reduction in errors. For research, KPIs could involve the number of publications, successful grant applications, or implementation of research findings into clinical practice. Tracking these KPIs will demonstrate the value derived from the $6.05M investment and ensure accountability for taxpayer funds.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Other Health Practitioners › Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5410 EDSON LN STE 310, NORTH BETHESDA, MD, 20852

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,164,332

Exercised Options: $6,054,361

Current Obligation: $6,054,361

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline