VA Awards $3.1M Ambulance Services Contract to Jan-Care in West Virginia

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,069,732 ($3.1M)

Contractor: Jan-Care Ambulance Service Tri-State Division Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 242 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: AMBULANCE SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTINGTON, CABELL County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25701

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.1 million to JAN-CARE AMBULANCE SERVICE TRI-STATE DIVISION INC for work described as: AMBULANCE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Jan-Care Ambulance Service for $3.1M over 24 months. 2. Services are for ambulance transport in West Virginia. 3. The contract was not competed, raising potential value concerns. 4. This falls under the Healthcare sector, specifically medical transport.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $3.1M for 24 months needs comparison to similar ambulance service contracts. Without competition, it's difficult to ascertain if this price reflects fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers if the price is not optimized through market forces.

Public Impact

Ensures critical ambulance services for veterans in West Virginia. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. Limited transparency on pricing justification without a competitive process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency

Positive Signals

Ensures essential service delivery
Supports veteran healthcare needs

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically for emergency medical transport. Ambulance service costs can vary significantly based on geographic location, service level, and contract duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if Jan-Care is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight. The lack of competition warrants closer scrutiny to ensure the price is fair and reasonable.

Related Government Programs

Ambulance Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for price gouging
Limited transparency in pricing
No clear justification for sole-source award

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.1 million to JAN-CARE AMBULANCE SERVICE TRI-STATE DIVISION INC. AMBULANCE SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JAN-CARE AMBULANCE SERVICE TRI-STATE DIVISION 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 $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the benchmark cost for similar ambulance services in West Virginia or comparable regions?

Determining a precise benchmark requires access to detailed pricing data for comparable contracts. Factors like response times, fleet size, and service area coverage significantly influence costs. Without this, assessing the $3.1M award against industry standards is challenging, but a rough estimate might place it within a broad range, though the lack of competition prevents a definitive value assessment.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source award for essential services like ambulances?

Sole-source awards for essential services like ambulances carry risks of inflated pricing due to the absence of competitive pressure. This can lead to inefficient use of taxpayer funds. Additionally, it may stifle innovation and reduce the incentive for the awarded contractor to optimize service delivery or cost-effectiveness over the contract period.

How effectively does this contract ensure timely and adequate ambulance services for veterans in the specified region?

The contract aims to ensure timely and adequate services by awarding it to a specific provider. However, the effectiveness is contingent on the contractor's performance and the adequacy of the pricing. Without competition, it's harder to guarantee optimal service levels at the best possible price, though the contract duration and specified region provide a framework for service delivery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Other Ambulatory Health Care Services › Ambulance Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1301 7TH AVE, HUNTINGTON, WV, 25701

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,069,732

Exercised Options: $3,069,732

Current Obligation: $3,069,732

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24526D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline