VA awards $739K for wheelchair van services, with competition impacting value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $739,607 ($739.6K)

Contractor: Alert Ambulance Service, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-09-01

End Date: 2023-09-30

Contract Duration: 394 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: WHEELCHAIR VAN TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR VA PROVIDENCE HCS BASE + 4 OPTION PERIODS.

Place of Performance

Location: PROVIDENCE, PROVIDENCE County, RHODE ISLAND, 02908

State: Rhode Island Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $739,607.46 to ALERT AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC. for work described as: WHEELCHAIR VAN TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR VA PROVIDENCE HCS BASE + 4 OPTION PERIODS. Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm-fixed-price structure and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially favorable outcome for the government. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm-fixed-price contract and established provider. 4. Performance context is specific to VA Providence HCS needs. 5. Sector positioning is within specialized healthcare transportation services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $739,607.46 over approximately 13 months for wheelchair van transportation services seems reasonable. While direct comparisons are difficult without more granular data on service levels and geographic coverage, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests predictable costs. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized medical transportation would provide a clearer picture of value, but the price appears within a plausible range for the services described.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process was utilized. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of SAP generally aims to encourage competition for contracts below certain thresholds. A competitive award is positive for price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from multiple sources.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayers benefited from multiple companies vying for the contract, likely leading to a more competitive price than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

Veterans in the Providence, Rhode Island area will benefit from reliable wheelchair-accessible transportation. Services include transportation for medical appointments and other healthcare needs. The geographic impact is focused on the service area of the VA Providence HCS. The contract supports the operational needs of the VA healthcare system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific detail on the number of bidders limits full assessment of competition's impact.
No data provided on the contractor's past performance specifically for this type of service.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process (SAP).
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract duration is clearly defined with option periods.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the specialized healthcare transportation sector, a critical component of the broader healthcare services industry. The market for medical transportation is diverse, ranging from non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) to specialized services like wheelchair van transport. Spending in this area is driven by the needs of healthcare providers, government agencies like the VA, and insurance providers to ensure patient access to care. Benchmarks for similar services can vary significantly based on geographic location, service intensity, and regulatory requirements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it detail any subcontracting plans. Given the contract value and the nature of the service, it's possible that small businesses could participate either as prime contractors or subcontractors, contributing to the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Care Transportation
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Specialized Healthcare Logistics

Risk Flags

Limited detail on competition specifics.
No explicit past performance data provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $739,607.46 to ALERT AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC.. WHEELCHAIR VAN TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR VA PROVIDENCE HCS BASE + 4 OPTION PERIODS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALERT AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC..

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 $739,607.46.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-01. End: 2023-09-30.

What is the historical spending trend for wheelchair van transportation services at VA Providence HCS?

Analyzing historical spending for wheelchair van transportation at VA Providence HCS would require access to past contract awards for this specific service at this facility. Without that data, it's impossible to determine if the current $739,607.46 award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to previous periods. Understanding this trend is crucial for assessing budget predictability and identifying potential shifts in demand or service provision. It would also help in benchmarking the current award against prior investments in similar services.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar wheelchair van transportation services in Rhode Island?

To compare the awarded price to market rates, one would need to gather data on similar contracts awarded by other government agencies or private healthcare providers in Rhode Island. This would involve looking at per-mile rates, per-trip rates, or hourly rates for wheelchair-accessible vehicles and trained personnel. Factors such as service area, availability of vehicles, and demand levels influence market rates. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract provides cost certainty but may not always reflect the absolute lowest market price if competition was limited or if the contractor built in a significant contingency.

What are the specific performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) for this wheelchair van transportation contract. Typically, such contracts would include requirements for on-time performance, vehicle maintenance and cleanliness, driver qualifications and professionalism, and response times for booking requests. The Department of Veterans Affairs would monitor these metrics to ensure the contractor meets the required standards. Failure to meet SLAs could result in penalties or contract termination, underscoring the importance of these unstated performance benchmarks.

What is the track record of ALERT AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC. with the Department of Veterans Affairs or similar government contracts?

Information regarding ALERT AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC.'s specific track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs or other government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would involve reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any history of contract disputes, or previous awards for similar services. A strong track record with the VA or other federal agencies would generally indicate reliability and competence, reducing performance risk for this current contract.

What is the potential impact of the option periods on the total contract value and duration?

The contract includes base period plus four option periods, which significantly extends the potential duration and total value beyond the initial award amount. While the base period value is $739,607.46, the total potential value could be substantially higher if all option periods are exercised. The duration, initially around 13 months (Sept 2022 - Sept 2023), could extend over several years. Exercising options is at the discretion of the government and depends on continued need and satisfactory performance, providing flexibility but also requiring careful budget planning.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation › Special Needs Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1290 WILSON RD, FALL RIVER, MA, 02720

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,126,786

Exercised Options: $1,091,536

Current Obligation: $739,607

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24122D0021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline