VA awards $3.3M contract for 3 anesthesiologist FTEs to Titan-Auxo, LLC, with 6 bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,326,721 ($3.3M)

Contractor: Titan-Auxo, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: ANESTHESIOLOGY SERVICES 3 FTE

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, RICHLAND County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29209

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.3 million to TITAN-AUXO, LLC for work described as: ANESTHESIOLOGY SERVICES 3 FTE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized medical staffing, but requires benchmarking against similar VA or DoD contracts. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm-fixed-price structure and a single delivery order. 4. Performance context is limited to the duration and number of full-time equivalents. 5. This contract fits within the broader healthcare staffing sector, supporting critical medical services. 6. The contract's success hinges on the quality and reliability of the provided anesthesiology services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.3 million for 3 anesthesiologist FTEs over one year translates to approximately $364,000 per FTE. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts for medical staffing within the VA and other federal agencies. Without direct comparisons, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money, but it falls within a plausible range for highly specialized medical professionals. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $364,000 per FTE per year (based on 3 FTEs over 364 days).

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a competitive marketplace for these services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from multiple qualified providers.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition indicates that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple companies vied for the contract, driving down potential costs.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from access to essential anesthesiology services, ensuring timely and quality medical care. The contract directly supports the delivery of surgical and procedural care at VA facilities. The geographic impact is localized to the VA facility where the anesthesiologists will be deployed (specific location not detailed in data). The contract provides temporary, specialized medical workforce support, filling critical staffing needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for reliance on a single contractor for critical medical services.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across different anesthesiologists provided by the contractor.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Contract duration of one year allows for periodic reassessment of needs and performance.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector is a critical component of the broader healthcare industry, focusing on providing qualified personnel to meet patient care demands. This contract falls within the temporary help services sub-sector, specifically for highly specialized medical professionals. The federal government, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs, is a significant consumer of such services to ensure adequate staffing levels at its medical facilities. Market size for federal healthcare staffing is substantial, driven by the need to supplement permanent workforces and address specialized skill gaps.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While Titan-Auxo, LLC is the prime contractor, there is no information on subcontracting plans or whether small businesses will be involved in fulfilling the contract requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, but specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Services Contracts
Federal Healthcare Staffing
Temporary Medical Personnel Services
Anesthesiology Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues impacting service continuity.
Need for ongoing monitoring to ensure quality of care meets VA standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.3 million to TITAN-AUXO, LLC. ANESTHESIOLOGY SERVICES 3 FTE

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 $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the track record of Titan-Auxo, LLC in providing similar medical staffing services to the federal government?

Information regarding Titan-Auxo, LLC's specific track record with federal medical staffing contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with anesthesiology services and their ability to meet VA requirements for quality and reliability is crucial for assessing future performance. Their history with similar contract types (e.g., firm-fixed-price, temporary help) and durations would also provide valuable context.

How does the per-FTE cost of $364,000 compare to similar anesthesiology staffing contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

The per-FTE cost of approximately $364,000 for anesthesiologists needs direct comparison with similar contracts. Benchmarking against recent VA or Department of Defense contracts for anesthesiology services, especially those awarded under full and open competition, would reveal if this rate is competitive. Factors such as geographic location (cost of living, demand), specific skill sets required, and contract duration can influence pricing. If this rate is significantly higher than comparable contracts, it could indicate potential overpricing or unique service requirements justifying the cost. Conversely, if it aligns with or is lower than benchmarks, it suggests good value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential disruptions in service delivery if the contractor fails to provide qualified personnel, or a decline in the quality of care. Another risk is the potential for cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price structure doesn't adequately account for unforeseen circumstances, though this is less likely than with cost-reimbursement contracts. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contractor performance monitoring by the VA, clear service level agreements, and contingency plans for staffing shortages. The firm-fixed-price nature itself mitigates financial risk for the government, ensuring cost certainty.

What is the historical spending pattern for anesthesiology services at this specific VA facility or within this region?

Analyzing historical spending for anesthesiology services at the relevant VA facility or region would provide crucial context for this $3.3 million award. This involves examining past contracts for similar services, noting the number of FTEs procured, contract values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding trends in spending—whether it's increasing, decreasing, or stable—can indicate changes in demand, market availability, or pricing. Significant deviations from historical patterns might warrant further investigation into the reasons behind them, such as increased patient load or market shifts.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method impact price discovery and overall value for taxpayers?

This specific procurement method, while allowing full and open competition, involves an initial exclusion of sources. The exact reason for this exclusion isn't detailed but could be due to prior contract issues or specific pre-qualification steps. However, the subsequent full and open competition among the remaining eligible sources is generally positive for price discovery. With six bidders, the competitive pressure is expected to drive offers towards market rates, ensuring taxpayers receive fair value. The exclusion step, if justified, aims to streamline the process while still leveraging competition.

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: 6

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: $17,661,960

Exercised Options: $3,326,721

Current Obligation: $3,326,721

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