VA awards $6.8M for phlebotomist staffing, with 5 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,814,280 ($6.8M)

Contractor: ONE Stop Recruiting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PHLEBOTOMIST STAFFING SERVICES FOR WASHINGTON DC VA MEDICAL CENTER.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20422

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $6.8 million to ONE STOP RECRUITING LLC for work described as: PHLEBOTOMIST STAFFING SERVICES FOR WASHINGTON DC VA MEDICAL CENTER. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the contract duration and scope. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for temporary staffing services. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm-fixed-price contract type. 4. Performance context is critical for ensuring adequate staffing at the VA. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader healthcare support services market.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $6.8 million over five years for phlebotomist staffing services at the Washington DC VA Medical Center suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized medical staffing is challenging without more granular data on the number of staff and hours required. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, which is a positive indicator of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with five bids received. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a competitive market for these services. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers for essential staffing services.

Public Impact

Veterans in Washington D.C. will benefit from consistent and reliable phlebotomy services, crucial for their healthcare. The contract ensures the delivery of essential diagnostic support services at a major VA medical center. Geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., serving the local veteran population. Workforce implications include the creation of temporary or contract-based phlebotomist positions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for staff turnover in temporary roles impacting service continuity.
Ensuring consistent quality of service across all shifts and personnel.
Monitoring contractor performance to ensure adherence to VA standards.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and competitive pricing.
Long-term contract (5 years) allows for stable staffing solutions.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare support services sector is a significant component of federal spending, encompassing a wide range of services from administrative support to specialized clinical staffing. This contract for phlebotomist services falls within the temporary help services sub-sector. The market for such services is often characterized by numerous providers, ranging from large staffing agencies to smaller, specialized firms. Federal agencies, particularly in healthcare, frequently rely on contract staffing to manage fluctuating demands and ensure operational continuity.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor, ONE STOP RECRUITING LLC, may be a small business, the competition itself was open to all qualified offerors. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of Veterans Affairs responsible for medical services at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Performance metrics and quality assurance surveillance plans would be key accountability measures. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Staffing Contracts
Temporary Healthcare Staffing Services
Clinical Support Services
Diagnostic Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if contractor faces staffing issues.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure quality of care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $6.8 million to ONE STOP RECRUITING LLC. PHLEBOTOMIST STAFFING SERVICES FOR WASHINGTON DC VA MEDICAL CENTER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ONE STOP RECRUITING 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 $6.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the historical spending trend for phlebotomist staffing services at the Washington DC VA Medical Center?

Historical spending data for phlebotomist staffing specifically at the Washington DC VA Medical Center prior to this award is not readily available in the provided data. However, the current award of $6.8 million over five years (approximately $1.36 million annually) provides a benchmark for recent spending. To understand historical trends, one would need to access historical contract databases (like FPDS or USASpending) and filter for similar service codes (NAICS 561320) and the specific facility over previous fiscal years. This would reveal if spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether previous contracts were also competed or awarded sole-source.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for phlebotomist services?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for this contract is challenging without knowing the exact number of phlebotomists, their hours, and the specific services rendered. The total contract value is $6,814,279.78 over 1825 days (5 years). If we assume an average of 10 full-time equivalent phlebotomists working 40 hours a week at a blended hourly rate, the annual cost per FTE would be around $136,285. Industry benchmarks for phlebotomist salaries vary significantly by location and experience, but a fully burdened cost (including benefits, overhead, and profit) for a contract employee could range from $40-$70 per hour. This would place the annual cost per FTE between $83,200 and $145,600, suggesting the VA's contract rate is within a plausible range, though potentially on the higher end depending on the specifics.

What is the track record of ONE STOP RECRUITING LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of ONE STOP RECRUITING LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for healthcare staffing, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations on federal contract databases, such as the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). This would reveal their history of on-time delivery, quality of service, and overall compliance with contract terms on previous government engagements. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and past performance effectiveness for this critical VA contract.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for essential phlebotomy services?

Relying on a single contractor, even one selected through full and open competition, carries inherent risks. Key risks include potential service disruptions if the contractor faces staffing shortages, financial instability, or operational issues. There's also a risk of complacency, where the contractor might reduce efforts to innovate or maintain peak performance once the competitive pressure of the initial award has passed. Furthermore, if the contractor fails to meet performance standards, the VA may face delays in finding and onboarding a replacement, potentially impacting patient care. The firm-fixed-price nature mitigates cost overrun risks but does not eliminate performance risks.

How does the duration of this contract (5 years) impact its overall value and risk profile?

The five-year duration of this contract offers significant advantages in terms of stability and continuity of essential services for the Washington DC VA Medical Center. For the government, a longer-term contract can reduce administrative burden associated with frequent re-procurement and potentially secure more favorable pricing through commitment. It allows the contractor to invest in staffing and resources, fostering a more stable workforce. However, a longer duration also increases the risk exposure to potential contractor underperformance or market changes over time. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate financial risk, but performance monitoring remains crucial throughout the contract's life.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5434 S ST CLAIRE, MESA, AZ, 85212

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, 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: $6,814,280

Exercised Options: $6,814,280

Current Obligation: $6,814,280

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79721D0072

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline