VA awards $1.3M contract for Radiation Therapeutic Technologists to TITAN-AUXO, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,293,802 ($1.3M)

Contractor: Titan-Auxo, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-05-04

End Date: 2027-05-03

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: 3X RADIATION THERAPEUTIC TECHNOLOGIST (RTT)

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 $1.3 million to TITAN-AUXO, LLC for work described as: 3X RADIATION THERAPEUTIC TECHNOLOGIST (RTT) Key points: 1. Contract provides essential temporary staffing for radiation therapy services. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate sourcing strategy. 3. The contract duration of 729 days indicates a medium-term need for these specialized professionals. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 5. The award to a single vendor, TITAN-AUXO, LLC, warrants scrutiny of market availability and pricing. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. highlights a specific regional demand.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.3 million for 3 Radiation Therapeutic Technologists over approximately two years appears reasonable on a per-diem basis, but a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult without more specific service level agreements and geographic benchmarks. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the VA. However, the lack of multiple bids in the final award stage, despite initial open competition, raises questions about whether the VA secured the most competitive pricing possible.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which is an unusual designation. It implies that while the initial solicitation was open, specific sources may have been excluded later in the process, or that the exclusion of sources was a condition of the initial solicitation. The data does not specify the number of bidders that responded to the initial solicitation or how many were considered after exclusions. This procurement method could limit the breadth of competition and potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'exclusion of sources' aspect, even if justified, could mean taxpayers did not benefit from the widest possible pool of qualified bidders, potentially leading to a higher price than if all capable vendors had been allowed to compete fully.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving radiation therapy services at VA facilities in Washington D.C. will benefit from continued access to qualified technologists. The contract ensures the availability of specialized personnel to operate complex radiation equipment. This contract supports the VA's healthcare mission by providing essential medical support staff. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, addressing a specific regional need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in an otherwise 'full and open' competition needs further clarification to understand its impact on competition and potential price inflation.
Limited information on the number of bidders and the rationale for excluding sources makes it difficult to assess if the VA achieved optimal value.
The reliance on a single vendor for this critical staffing need could pose a risk if the vendor faces performance issues or capacity constraints.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The contract duration of 729 days suggests a stable, ongoing need for these specialized services.
The award to TITAN-AUXO, LLC, indicates the contractor meets the VA's requirements for providing these specialized technical services.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector, particularly for specialized medical roles like Radiation Therapeutic Technologists, is characterized by high demand and a shortage of qualified professionals. This contract falls within the broader temporary help services category (NAICS 561320) but is highly specialized. The VA's reliance on such contracts highlights the challenges government agencies face in recruiting and retaining highly skilled medical personnel, often turning to contractors to fill immediate needs and ensure continuity of care. Comparable spending benchmarks for such niche medical staffing can vary significantly based on location, required certifications, and the urgency of the need.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the competition was not geared towards small businesses, and the prime contractor, TITAN-AUXO, LLC, is likely not a small business or was not awarded under a small business designation for this contract. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award, which could mean limited opportunities for small business participation in fulfilling this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers responsible for healthcare services in the Washington D.C. region. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a set cost. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for general observation. Specific performance monitoring and quality assurance would be managed internally by the VA, with potential oversight from the VA Office of Inspector General if performance issues or fraud are suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Staffing Contracts
Radiation Therapy Services
Temporary Healthcare Personnel
Medical Equipment Technicians
Federal Healthcare Procurement

Risk Flags

Unclear justification for 'exclusion of sources' in competition.
Potential for limited price competition due to source exclusion.
Lack of public performance data for the awarded contractor.
Concentration of service delivery in a single geographic area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $1.3 million to TITAN-AUXO, LLC. 3X RADIATION THERAPEUTIC TECHNOLOGIST (RTT)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TITAN-AUXO, 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 $1.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-04. End: 2027-05-03.

What is the specific justification for the 'exclusion of sources' in this 'Full and Open Competition' award, and how did it impact the number of bids received?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' is unusual and requires clarification. Typically, 'Full and Open Competition' means all responsible sources are permitted to submit offers. The 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests that either specific vendors were disqualified based on pre-defined criteria outlined in the solicitation, or that the initial pool of potential sources was narrowed down before the final award. Without access to the solicitation details and the source selection documentation, it is impossible to determine the exact justification or the precise number of bidders affected. This lack of transparency regarding the competitive process raises concerns about whether the VA received the best possible pricing and value by potentially limiting the vendor pool.

How does the per-diem or hourly rate for these Radiation Therapeutic Technologists compare to market rates in the Washington D.C. area?

Determining the precise per-diem or hourly rate requires breaking down the total contract value ($1,293,801.60) by the number of labor hours or days worked over the contract period (729 days). Assuming a standard 8-hour workday, this equates to approximately $221.45 per hour, or $1771.60 per day for one technologist. Market research for specialized roles like Radiation Therapeutic Technologists in the high-cost Washington D.C. area indicates that hourly rates can range significantly, often between $100-$200+ per hour depending on experience, certifications, and benefits. The contractor's rate appears to be at the higher end, which may be justified by the specialized nature of the role, the need for specific certifications, and the inclusion of overhead and profit. However, without knowing the exact number of technologists and their specific work schedules, a definitive benchmark is challenging.

What is TITAN-AUXO, LLC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies for similar staffing contracts?

Information regarding TITAN-AUXO, LLC's specific track record with the VA or other federal agencies for Radiation Therapeutic Technologist staffing is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), contract history databases, and any publicly available information on their previous awards and performance. Without this data, it's difficult to ascertain their experience level, reliability, and success in fulfilling similar requirements. This lack of readily available performance history necessitates a closer look by the VA during future procurements or contract management phases.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor, TITAN-AUXO, LLC, for this critical healthcare support service?

Relying on a single vendor for critical healthcare support services like Radiation Therapeutic Technologists presents several risks. Firstly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, where the VA may have limited leverage in future negotiations if alternative vendors are not readily available or qualified. Secondly, performance issues with TITAN-AUXO, LLC could directly impact patient care continuity, as finding and onboarding a replacement vendor can be time-consuming. Thirdly, if the vendor experiences financial instability or staffing shortages, it could lead to disruptions in service delivery. Finally, the lack of ongoing competitive pressure might reduce the incentive for the vendor to maintain optimal service quality and cost-efficiency over the contract's duration.

How does this contract's value and duration compare to historical VA spending on Radiation Therapeutic Technologist services?

The provided data offers a snapshot of a single contract award and does not include historical spending patterns for Radiation Therapeutic Technologist services by the VA. To assess this, one would need to analyze historical contract databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for similar contract actions over several fiscal years. Key metrics for comparison would include the total annual spending on these services, the average contract value, the typical duration of such contracts, and the number of vendors awarded contracts. Without this historical context, it's challenging to determine if this $1.3 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of VA investment in these specialized staffing services.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 274 LANCASTER AVE STE 206, MALVERN, PA, 19355

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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: $3,383,578

Exercised Options: $1,293,802

Current Obligation: $1,293,802

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10X24D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline