VA awards $2.6M contract for 2.0 FTE CRNA services to ASPIRE-LUKE JV LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,599,463 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Aspire-Luke JV LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-06-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 517 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: 2.0 FTE CRNA FOR VA MAINE HCS

Place of Performance

Location: AUGUSTA, KENNEBEC County, MAINE, 04330

State: Maine Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.6 million to ASPIRE-LUKE JV LLC for work described as: 2.0 FTE CRNA FOR VA MAINE HCS Key points: 1. Contract provides essential temporary staffing for critical care services. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a broad search for qualified bidders. 3. The contract duration of 517 days indicates a medium-term need for these specialized services. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the agency. 5. The awardee, ASPIRE-LUKE JV LLC, is a joint venture, potentially indicating a strategy to combine expertise or capacity. 6. The contract is for temporary help services, highlighting a need for flexible staffing solutions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.6 million for 2.0 FTE CRNA services over approximately 17 months appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar temporary staffing contracts for highly specialized medical professionals suggests that this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Without specific per-unit cost data for CRNA hours, a direct comparison is difficult, but the overall contract value seems aligned with market rates for such critical temporary support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that the agency initially considered excluding certain sources but ultimately opened the competition broadly. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While not a completely unrestricted full and open competition from the outset, the final award process allowed multiple qualified entities to bid, which generally supports price discovery and selection of the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even with initial exclusions, likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers than a sole-source award. The participation of multiple bidders helps ensure the government receives competitive pricing for these essential CRNA services.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care at VA Maine HCS will benefit from consistent and adequate staffing of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. The contract ensures the delivery of critical anesthesia services, supporting surgical and other medical procedures. The geographic impact is focused on the VA Maine Healthcare System, serving veterans in Maine. This contract supports the employment of specialized healthcare professionals, contributing to the healthcare workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on temporary staffing if long-term needs are not addressed.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across different temporary CRNAs.
Managing the integration of temporary staff with permanent clinical teams.

Positive Signals

Addresses immediate staffing gaps to maintain service levels.
Provides access to specialized skills that may be in short supply.
Flexible contract allows for adjustments based on evolving patient needs.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector, particularly for specialized roles like CRNAs, is characterized by high demand and often a shortage of qualified professionals. Temporary staffing agencies play a crucial role in bridging these gaps for healthcare providers. The market for such services is competitive, with agencies vying to provide skilled personnel. This contract fits within the broader category of healthcare support services, where government agencies, like the VA, are significant purchasers to ensure continuity of care for beneficiaries.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to ASPIRE-LUKE JV LLC, a joint venture. Information regarding specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting goals for this particular award was not detailed in the provided data. As the contract was competed broadly, it's possible that opportunities for small businesses could arise through subcontracting if the joint venture partners or their affiliates engage them. However, without explicit set-aside requirements, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not guaranteed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs has established oversight mechanisms for contracts, including performance monitoring and quality assurance processes. The firm fixed-price nature of this contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Accountability for service delivery rests with the contractor, ASPIRE-LUKE JV LLC, and is overseen by the contracting officer and program officials within the VA Maine HCS. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Services Contracts
Temporary Healthcare Staffing
Anesthesia Services
Federal Healthcare Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for quality variance in temporary staff
Integration challenges with existing teams
Contractor performance history unknown

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.6 million to ASPIRE-LUKE JV LLC. 2.0 FTE CRNA FOR VA MAINE HCS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASPIRE-LUKE JV 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 $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of ASPIRE-LUKE JV LLC in providing similar CRNA services to the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of ASPIRE-LUKE JV LLC in providing CRNA services to the federal government is not detailed in the provided data. As a joint venture, its performance history may be a composite of its constituent members' experiences or a newly established record. Further investigation into federal contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) and past performance reviews would be necessary to assess their specific capabilities and reliability in delivering similar temporary healthcare staffing solutions. Understanding their experience with the VA or other healthcare agencies would be crucial for evaluating their suitability for this contract.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for temporary CRNA staffing?

The awarded contract value of $2.6 million for approximately 2.0 FTE CRNAs over 517 days (roughly 17 months) needs to be benchmarked against prevailing market rates. A rough estimate of the annual cost per FTE CRNA is approximately $950,000 ($2.6M / (2.0 FTE * 1.4 years)). This figure needs to be compared with industry data for temporary CRNA staffing, which can vary significantly by region and demand. Factors such as the specific qualifications required, the urgency of the need, and the geographic location of the VA Maine HCS will influence market rates. Without specific per-hour or per-diem rates from the contract, a precise comparison is challenging, but this annual cost appears to be in the upper range, reflecting the specialized nature and temporary demand for CRNAs.

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

Key risks include potential inconsistencies in the quality of care provided by temporary staff, challenges in integrating temporary CRNAs with existing clinical teams, and the possibility of over-reliance on temporary staffing if underlying permanent staffing issues are not addressed. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous vetting of the contractor's personnel, clear performance standards and service level agreements outlined in the contract, and active management by VA Maine HCS leadership to ensure seamless integration and quality oversight. The firm fixed-price nature also mitigates financial risk for the government. The contract's duration suggests a planned approach rather than an indefinite need.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in ensuring adequate anesthesia services at VA Maine HCS?

This contract is expected to be highly effective in ensuring adequate anesthesia services by providing a reliable source of qualified CRNAs to fill staffing gaps. The firm fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to deliver services efficiently. The competition process, involving four bidders, suggests that the VA selected a capable provider. The contract's duration of over a year indicates a commitment to sustained support, which should lead to consistent service delivery and improved patient access to necessary medical procedures requiring anesthesia. Effective management and oversight by the VA will be critical to realizing this effectiveness.

How does this contract's value and duration compare to historical VA spending on similar temporary CRNA services?

Historical spending data for similar temporary CRNA services at the VA is necessary for a direct comparison. However, contracts for specialized medical professionals, especially for temporary or surge needs, can be substantial. The $2.6 million value over approximately 17 months for 2.0 FTEs suggests a significant investment. If the VA has historically relied on sole-source or less competitive contracts for such services, this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award might represent a more strategic and potentially cost-effective approach. The duration also indicates a planned, medium-term solution rather than a short-term emergency fill.

What are the implications of the contractor being a joint venture for service delivery and accountability?

The contractor being a joint venture (ASPIRE-LUKE JV LLC) implies that two or more entities have pooled resources, expertise, or capacity to bid on and perform this contract. This can potentially bring a broader range of skills and a larger operational base. For service delivery, it could mean access to a wider pool of CRNAs or enhanced management capabilities. Accountability remains with the joint venture entity itself, as per the contract terms. However, understanding the structure and roles of the individual partners within the JV could be important for assessing overall risk and performance continuity, especially if one partner has a more extensive track record.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C24125Q0344

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12500 SAN PEDRO AVE STE 325, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78216

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,832,998

Exercised Options: $2,599,463

Current Obligation: $2,599,463

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10X24D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline