VA awards $3.94M IDIQ for non-emergency transport, with 364-day delivery orders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,940,006 ($3.9M)

Contractor: Appointed Worldwide Holdings LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-11-01

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: AUGUSTA VAMC NON EMERGENCY 5 YEAR IDIQ

Place of Performance

Location: AUGUSTA, RICHMOND County, GEORGIA, 30904

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.9 million to APPOINTED WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LLC for work described as: AUGUSTA VAMC NON EMERGENCY 5 YEAR IDIQ Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure reliable non-emergency medical transportation for veterans. 2. The IDIQ structure allows for flexible task order issuance based on need. 3. Delivery orders are capped at 364 days, suggesting short-term service needs. 4. The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the VA. 5. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a broad search. 6. The awardee, Appointed Worldwide Holdings LLC, will provide services in Georgia.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $3.94 million over a potential 5-year period is relatively small for a federal contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar ambulance service contracts is difficult without more specific details on the scope of services and geographic coverage. The firm-fixed-price structure is positive for cost control, but the value for money will depend on the actual utilization of the IDIQ and the efficiency of the services provided by the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources. This suggests that the agency sought proposals from a wide range of qualified vendors. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The exclusion of sources clause might indicate specific requirements that narrowed the initial pool of potential offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging high-quality service delivery.

Public Impact

Veterans in Georgia requiring non-emergency medical transportation will benefit from this contract. The contract ensures access to essential medical services for beneficiaries who may have mobility challenges. Services are geographically focused within Georgia, impacting veterans residing in the state. The contract supports the healthcare delivery infrastructure for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased demand on delivery orders exceeding initial projections.
Ensuring consistent quality of service across all delivery orders.
Monitoring contractor performance to ensure compliance with service level agreements.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
IDIQ structure allows for flexibility in meeting fluctuating demand.
Full and open competition promotes a competitive market for services.

Sector Analysis

The ambulance services sector is a critical component of the healthcare industry, providing essential transportation for patients needing medical attention. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the needs of agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. Market size can vary significantly based on geographic scope and the specific types of services offered, ranging from basic life support to advanced critical care transport. This contract fits within the broader category of healthcare support services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are participating in the subcontracting chain. The absence of a specific set-aside suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best value through open competition, potentially limiting direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are prime contractors or subcontractors to the awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will primarily be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for the ambulance services. Accountability measures will be embedded within the terms and conditions of the individual delivery orders, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though detailed operational oversight specifics are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Care Programs
TRICARE Medical Transportation
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service gaps due to short delivery order durations.
Risk of increased administrative costs associated with frequent order renewals.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across multiple, potentially short-term, service periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.9 million to APPOINTED WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LLC. AUGUSTA VAMC NON EMERGENCY 5 YEAR IDIQ

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APPOINTED WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS 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 $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-01. End: 2025-10-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for ambulance services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending for ambulance services by the VA requires access to detailed procurement data over several fiscal years. Generally, VA spending in this area fluctuates based on veteran population needs, geographic distribution of facilities, and the availability of local civilian transport options. Contracts can range from large, multi-year IDIQs to smaller, individual task orders. Factors influencing spending include the prevalence of chronic conditions requiring regular transport, the number of VA medical centers and clinics needing support, and policy changes aimed at improving veteran access to care. Without specific historical data for this contract vehicle or similar ones, it's difficult to establish a precise trend, but it's reasonable to assume a consistent need for these services to support veteran healthcare delivery.

How does the firm-fixed-price contract type impact value for money in this context?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally advantageous for the government when the scope of work is well-defined and the risk of cost overruns is manageable. For ambulance services, an FFP structure provides cost certainty for the VA, as the contractor assumes the risk of increased costs associated with fuel, labor, or maintenance. This can lead to better value for money by preventing unexpected cost increases. However, if the service requirements are highly variable or difficult to predict, an FFP contract might incentivize the contractor to be overly conservative in service provision or to seek change orders, potentially negating some of the cost benefits. The effectiveness of FFP here depends on the VA's ability to accurately forecast demand and define service parameters clearly within the delivery orders.

What are the potential risks associated with a 364-day delivery order period?

Delivery orders with a 364-day period, just shy of a full year, can present several risks. Primarily, it may lead to a fragmented service delivery approach, requiring frequent re-competition or contract modifications if longer-term needs arise. This can increase administrative burden and potentially lead to service gaps or inconsistencies if transition periods are not managed effectively. For the contractor, short-term orders might limit investment in specialized equipment or training, potentially impacting service quality or responsiveness over time. It could also lead to higher per-unit costs if contractors factor in the administrative overhead of frequent renewals or re-bidding. The VA needs to ensure that these short durations align with actual service needs and do not inadvertently increase overall program costs or reduce service reliability.

How does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause affect competition?

The clause 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' indicates that the agency initially considered all responsible sources but then excluded certain ones based on specific, documented reasons before proceeding with full and open competition among the remaining sources. This is distinct from a sole-source or limited competition scenario. It suggests that while the agency aimed for broad competition, certain criteria or requirements (e.g., specific certifications, geographic presence, past performance on similar VA contracts) led to the exclusion of some potential offerors. The impact on price discovery is generally positive, as it still allows for multiple bidders to compete, driving down prices. However, the exclusion might slightly limit the breadth of competition compared to a scenario with no exclusions, potentially affecting the number of bids received and the range of innovative solutions proposed.

What is the typical performance context for ambulance services contracts with the VA?

Performance context for VA ambulance services contracts typically revolves around ensuring timely, safe, and appropriate transportation for veterans to and from medical appointments, procedures, or facilities. Key performance indicators (KPIs) often include response times, patient care quality during transport, vehicle maintenance and cleanliness, driver qualifications and professionalism, and adherence to schedules. The VA monitors these aspects closely to ensure veterans receive reliable access to care, especially those with mobility issues or in remote areas. Success is measured by patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes related to timely transport, and the contractor's ability to meet all contractual obligations, including documentation and reporting requirements.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1604 S W S YOUNG DR, KILLEEN, TX, 76543

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, 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: $3,940,006

Exercised Options: $3,940,006

Current Obligation: $3,940,006

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24724D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline