VA awards $101,937 contract for patient transport, highlighting specialized needs for transplant recipients

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $101,937 ($101.9K)

Contractor: Integrated Maintenance and BUS Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $280/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: OY4 - PATIENT TRANSPORTATION FOR LIVER AND HEART TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS AT THE CENTRAL VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN RICHMOND, VA.

Place of Performance

Location: RICHMOND, RICHMOND CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23249

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $101,937.4 to INTEGRATED MAINTENANCE AND BUS SERVICES LLC for work described as: OY4 - PATIENT TRANSPORTATION FOR LIVER AND HEART TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS AT THE CENTRAL VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN RICHMOND, VA. Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical patient transportation needs for liver and heart transplant recipients. 2. Specialized transportation services are essential for vulnerable patient populations. 3. The contract duration is one year, aligning with immediate service requirements. 4. Awarded to Integrated Maintenance and Bus Services LLC, a provider with existing contracts. 5. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the VA. 6. Geographic focus on Richmond, VA, ensures localized service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $101,937 for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized patient transportation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical transport, especially for critical care patients like transplant recipients, would provide a clearer picture of value. However, the fixed-price nature suggests a degree of cost control. The specific nature of the service, requiring sensitivity and reliability for transplant patients, may justify a premium compared to general transportation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for acquisitions below a certain threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages competition. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors were likely considered, which should contribute to fair pricing and service quality. The VA's use of SAP for this contract indicates a commitment to leveraging market competition for specialized services.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, is beneficial for taxpayers as it helps ensure that the VA is receiving services at a fair market price, preventing potential overspending on essential patient care.

Public Impact

Liver and heart transplant recipients at the Central VA Health Care System in Richmond, VA, will benefit from reliable transportation. Ensures timely and safe transport to and from medical appointments and facilities. Supports the continuity of care for critically ill patients. Potentially impacts the local transportation workforce in the Richmond area. Enhances the overall patient experience for transplant candidates and recipients.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs in the provided data.
Potential for service disruptions if the contractor faces operational challenges.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical patient service.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Awarded to a known entity, potentially indicating past performance.
Service is essential for vulnerable patient population, indicating high priority.
One-year duration allows for reassessment and potential re-competition.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader healthcare services sector, specifically focusing on specialized transportation. The market for medical transportation is significant, driven by the increasing demand for patient access to care, particularly for those with chronic conditions or requiring specialized treatment like organ transplants. The VA's spending in this area reflects its commitment to providing comprehensive care to veterans, including logistical support. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in contracts for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) and specialized patient transport services across federal and state healthcare systems.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are a requirement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the extent to which small businesses are participating in or benefiting from this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accountability measures would be outlined in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Care Programs
VA Transplant Services
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Federal Healthcare Contracts
Specialized Transportation Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption impacting patient care.
Ensuring specialized training and sensitivity of transport personnel.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical patient logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $101,937.4 to INTEGRATED MAINTENANCE AND BUS SERVICES LLC. OY4 - PATIENT TRANSPORTATION FOR LIVER AND HEART TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS AT THE CENTRAL VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN RICHMOND, VA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTEGRATED MAINTENANCE AND BUS SERVICES 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 $101,937.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of Integrated Maintenance and Bus Services LLC with the VA or other government agencies?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess the track record of Integrated Maintenance and Bus Services LLC. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Understanding their experience with similar specialized transportation services, particularly for healthcare or vulnerable populations, is crucial. If they have a history of successful, on-time, and reliable service delivery, it would increase confidence in their ability to meet the VA's needs for patient transportation. Conversely, any past performance issues would raise concerns about potential risks associated with this award.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar patient transportation services for transplant recipients?

Benchmarking this contract's cost against similar services is challenging without access to detailed pricing data for comparable contracts. However, the value of approximately $101,937 for a one-year, firm-fixed-price contract for specialized patient transport suggests a focused service. Factors influencing cost include the geographic area, the level of specialization required (e.g., specialized vehicles, trained personnel), the frequency and duration of transport, and the specific needs of transplant recipients (e.g., medical support during transit). If this contract covers a significant volume of transports or requires highly specialized resources, the price may be justified. A detailed comparison would require analyzing contracts for similar services at other VA facilities or with other healthcare providers serving comparable patient populations.

What are the primary risks associated with this patient transportation contract?

Key risks include potential service disruptions due to contractor performance issues (e.g., vehicle breakdowns, driver shortages, punctuality problems), which could directly impact patient care and transplant outcomes. There's also a risk related to the specialized nature of the service; ensuring the contractor's personnel are adequately trained to handle the specific needs and sensitivities of transplant recipients is critical. Furthermore, if the contract volume is underestimated or overestimated, it could lead to inefficiencies or service gaps. Dependence on a single provider for such a critical service also presents a risk if the contractor fails to meet its obligations.

How effective is this contract in ensuring timely and safe transport for transplant patients?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the contractor's ability to consistently provide reliable and safe transportation. The firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs, but the primary measure of effectiveness will be the on-time performance and the safety record of the transport services. The VA's oversight, through the COR, will be crucial in monitoring these aspects. Success would be indicated by minimal delays, no reported safety incidents, and positive feedback from patients and medical staff regarding the service quality. The one-year duration allows the VA to assess this effectiveness and make adjustments in future contract actions.

What has been the historical spending by the VA for patient transportation services in the Richmond area?

To determine historical spending, a detailed analysis of past VA contracts for patient transportation services specifically within the Central VA Health Care System in Richmond, VA, would be required. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded over previous fiscal years. Understanding the trend in spending, the number of contracts awarded, and the average contract values would provide context for the current $101,937 award. It would help identify if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical transportation services for veterans in the region.

Are there specific performance metrics or KPIs tied to this contract to ensure quality of service?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract. Typically, contracts for specialized services like patient transportation include requirements for on-time performance, vehicle maintenance standards, driver qualifications, and patient satisfaction. The effectiveness of the contract in ensuring quality service relies heavily on the presence and enforcement of such metrics. The VA contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring adherence to these standards. Without explicit KPIs, assessing the contractor's performance objectively becomes more challenging.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 224 HARPERS FERRY DR, LOCUST GROVE, VA, 22508

Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, 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: $101,937

Exercised Options: $101,937

Current Obligation: $101,937

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24622D0043

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline