VA awards $20.15M for emergency physician services to TITAN-AUXO, LLC, with 6 bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,015,280 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Titan-Auxo, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-18

End Date: 2027-04-17

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/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: EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, RICHLAND County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29209

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.0 million to TITAN-AUXO, LLC for work described as: EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and service type. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Potential risk indicators include the firm-fixed-price structure for services. 4. Performance context is critical for assessing the value of physician staffing. 5. This contract fits within the broader healthcare staffing sector for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.15 million over 364 days for emergency physician services is within a reasonable range for such specialized staffing. Benchmarking against similar contracts for physician staffing at other federal facilities or large healthcare systems would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure, while common, can present risks if demand or service complexity fluctuates significantly, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple bids were considered. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a competitive market for emergency physician services, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The agency's decision to exclude sources initially might be due to specific pre-qualification criteria or a desire to ensure a broad reach.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this procurement is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down pricing and encouraged providers to offer competitive service packages. A robust competition reduces the risk of overpayment and ensures that the government secures services at market-reflective rates.

Public Impact

Veterans in South Carolina will benefit from consistent access to emergency medical care. The contract ensures the availability of qualified emergency medicine physicians at a VA facility. Geographic impact is focused on the region served by the specific VA medical center. Workforce implications include the provision of temporary physician staffing, potentially filling critical gaps.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Firm-fixed-price contracts for services can lead to cost overruns if scope changes or demand increases unexpectedly.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical physician services may pose continuity risks if the contractor faces operational issues.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition indicates a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract duration of one year allows for stable staffing and service delivery.
The award to TITAN-AUXO, LLC, suggests they met the technical and performance requirements.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector is a critical component of the federal healthcare system, particularly for agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs. This contract for emergency physician services falls within the broader category of temporary help services (NAICS 561320) and specifically addresses the need for specialized medical personnel. The market for physician staffing is often characterized by high demand, specialized skill requirements, and significant regulatory oversight. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other VA or DoD contracts for similar physician staffing needs, as well as private sector healthcare system expenditures.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. The primary focus is on securing specialized physician services through full and open competition. While there is no direct set-aside, the prime contractor, TITAN-AUXO, LLC, may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether subcontracting plans are implemented and if small businesses possess the specific qualifications required for emergency medicine support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and potential penalties for non-compliance. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected or reported.

Related Government Programs

VA Physician Staffing Contracts
Emergency Medical Services Contracts
Temporary Physician Services
Healthcare Staffing Solutions
Federal Medical Personnel Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns under firm-fixed-price for variable demand services.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical medical staffing.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure quality of care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.0 million to TITAN-AUXO, LLC. EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN SERVICES

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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-18. End: 2027-04-17.

What is the track record of TITAN-AUXO, LLC in providing similar physician staffing services to the federal government?

Information regarding TITAN-AUXO, LLC's specific track record in providing emergency physician services to the federal government is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes with previous federal contracts. Understanding their experience with VA facilities or similar emergency medicine environments would be crucial for assessing their capability to fulfill this contract effectively. Further research into their contract awards and performance metrics would be necessary to establish a reliable track record.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for emergency physician services in South Carolina?

The provided data does not include specific pricing details beyond the total contract value and duration, making a direct comparison to market rates for emergency physician services in South Carolina challenging. To assess value, one would need to analyze the average hourly or daily rates for emergency physicians in that region, considering factors like physician experience, sub-specialties, and the specific demands of the VA facility. Benchmarking against similar contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies in comparable geographic areas would also provide valuable context for determining if the $20.15 million award represents a fair market price.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for emergency physician services?

A primary risk with firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts for services like emergency physician staffing is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work or demand fluctuates significantly beyond initial projections. While FFP provides cost certainty for the government, it can strain the contractor if unforeseen circumstances arise, potentially impacting service quality or leading to disputes. For emergency medicine, where patient volume and acuity can be unpredictable, the contractor bears the risk of underestimating resource needs. This could lead to staffing shortages or burnout if the agreed-upon price does not adequately cover the actual workload, potentially affecting patient care.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized medical services?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method aims to balance broad market reach with specific requirements. By initially excluding certain sources, the agency might be targeting contractors with pre-defined qualifications or capabilities essential for specialized services like emergency medicine. When followed by full and open competition among the remaining pool, this approach can still foster robust competition if the initial exclusion criteria are reasonable and do not unduly limit the number of potential bidders. The presence of 6 bidders in this case suggests that the method was effective in attracting a competitive field, which generally supports favorable price discovery for taxpayers.

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

The provided data focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns for emergency physician services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To analyze historical spending, one would need to examine aggregated contract data over several fiscal years, looking at the total amount spent on physician staffing, the number of contracts awarded, the types of services procured (e.g., emergency, primary care, specialty), and the primary contractors. This would reveal trends in VA's reliance on contracted physicians, average contract values, and shifts in procurement strategies within this service category.

What performance metrics are likely being used to evaluate TITAN-AUXO, LLC's service delivery?

While specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided data, contracts for emergency physician services typically include metrics related to physician availability, response times, patient satisfaction, adherence to clinical protocols, and timely reporting. The Department of Veterans Affairs would likely establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). These metrics ensure that the contractor meets the required standards of care and operational efficiency, directly impacting the quality of emergency services provided to veterans. Regular performance reviews would assess the contractor's adherence to these KPIs.

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: $10,487,491

Exercised Options: $2,015,280

Current Obligation: $2,015,280

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