VA awards $4.6M contract for therapeutic medical physicist services to Suncoast Physics LLC in Florida

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,631,065 ($4.6M)

Contractor: Suncoast Physics LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-02-13

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,507 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: THERAPUTIC MEDICAL PHYSICIST

Place of Performance

Location: BAY PINES, PINELLAS County, FLORIDA, 33744

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4.6 million to SUNCOAST PHYSICS LLC for work described as: THERAPUTIC MEDICAL PHYSICIST Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized medical physics services, indicating a need for expert support in therapeutic applications. 2. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, suggesting clear scope and cost control. 3. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves smaller procurements and potentially less robust competition. 4. The duration of the contract is over 4 years, providing long-term service delivery. 5. The awardee, Suncoast Physics LLC, is a private entity, and its track record for similar government contracts will be a key indicator of performance. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more specific data on the scope of services and the qualifications of the physicist. However, the total value of $4.6 million over approximately 4 years suggests an average annual cost of around $1.15 million. This figure needs to be compared against the typical salaries and overhead for highly specialized medical physicists in the relevant geographic area and the specific services required by the VA. Without detailed service requirements or comparable contract data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the price appears within a plausible range for specialized medical expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally allows for more streamlined procurement processes for purchases below certain thresholds. While this method can increase efficiency, it often results in fewer bidders compared to full and open competition. The data indicates 5 bidders participated, which is a moderate level of competition for SAP. The limited competition environment may have implications for price discovery, potentially leading to higher prices than if a broader range of vendors had been solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP means there's a reduced likelihood of achieving the absolute lowest price achievable through extensive market outreach. However, the VA likely balanced the need for timely service with a reasonable degree of competition to ensure fair pricing.

Public Impact

Patients receiving radiation therapy or other medical physics-dependent treatments at VA facilities in Florida will benefit from the specialized services provided. The contract ensures the availability of expert medical physics support for the safe and effective use of radiation-based medical technologies. The geographic impact is primarily focused on Florida, serving the VA healthcare system within that state. The contract supports highly skilled professionals in the healthcare sector, contributing to the specialized workforce in medical physics.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to limited competition under SAP.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical medical physics services over a multi-year period.
Need to ensure the contractor maintains high standards of quality and compliance throughout the contract term.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the VA.
Contract duration of over 4 years ensures continuity of essential services.
Award to a specialized firm suggests access to necessary expertise.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly within government agencies like the VA, relies on specialized medical professionals. Medical physicists play a crucial role in the safe and effective use of radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging equipment. The market for these services is niche, requiring advanced degrees and certifications. Spending in this area is driven by the need for quality patient care and regulatory compliance. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other VA or large healthcare systems' contracts for similar physics services, considering factors like equipment types, patient volume, and geographic scope.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific small business subcontracting requirements. The award went to Suncoast Physics LLC, which may or may not be a small business itself, but the procurement process did not prioritize small business participation. This means opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited unless they are partners or subcontractors to the prime awardee, which is not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for medical services. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance work statement, including quality control standards, reporting requirements, and potential penalties for non-performance. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which record award details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract is suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Services Contracts
Healthcare Professional Services
Radiology and Imaging Support
Therapeutic Medical Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price optimization.
Contract duration requires robust performance monitoring.
Dependence on specialized expertise necessitates contractor stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4.6 million to SUNCOAST PHYSICS LLC. THERAPUTIC MEDICAL PHYSICIST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SUNCOAST PHYSICS 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 $4.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-13. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific scope of 'therapeutic medical physicist' services required under this contract?

The specific scope of 'therapeutic medical physicist' services under this contract is not detailed in the provided data. Generally, these services involve ensuring the safe and effective delivery of radiation therapy and other medical procedures that utilize radiation. This includes tasks such as calibration and quality assurance of linear accelerators and other treatment machines, treatment planning, dose calculations, patient-specific quality assurance, radiation safety compliance, and consultation with physicians and dosimetrists. The exact requirements would be outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) attached to the definitive contract, specifying the types of equipment, patient volumes, and reporting obligations.

How does the $4.6 million contract value compare to similar contracts for medical physicist services at other VA facilities or healthcare systems?

A direct comparison of the $4.6 million contract value to similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of VA and other healthcare system procurements for medical physicist services. Factors influencing cost include the geographic location, the number of facilities served, the complexity and volume of treatments, and the specific services required (e.g., brachytherapy, external beam therapy, diagnostic imaging QA). The average annual value of this contract is approximately $1.15 million ($4.6M / 4 years). This figure needs to be benchmarked against the typical salaries and overhead for a team of medical physicists or a specialized firm providing comprehensive services. Without more granular data on service scope and market rates, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high, low, or average spending.

What is the track record of Suncoast Physics LLC in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Suncoast Physics LLC in performing similar government contracts is not provided in the summary data. To assess their performance history, one would typically review past contract awards to this entity, including their duration, value, and performance ratings (if publicly available). Additionally, searching contract databases for past performance reviews or any documented issues (e.g., contract disputes, terminations) would be necessary. A positive track record with the VA or other federal agencies for comparable services would indicate a lower performance risk for this new contract.

What are the potential risks associated with a 4-year contract for specialized medical physics services?

Potential risks associated with a 4-year contract for specialized medical physics services include: 1) **Cost Overruns:** Although a firm fixed price contract aims to mitigate this, unforeseen complexities or scope creep could strain the budget if not managed carefully. 2) **Quality Degradation:** Over a long period, the quality of services might decline if contractor performance monitoring is lax or if the contractor faces staffing challenges. 3) **Technological Obsolescence:** Medical technology evolves rapidly; the contract needs to ensure the physicist's expertise remains current with advancements in therapeutic equipment and techniques. 4) **Contractor Viability:** The financial stability and operational continuity of Suncoast Physics LLC over four years are critical; business downturns or acquisitions could impact service delivery. 5) **Limited Flexibility:** A long-term contract might offer less flexibility to adapt to changing VA needs or incorporate new service requirements compared to shorter-term agreements.

How does the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) impact the overall cost-effectiveness for taxpayers?

The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this $4.6 million contract, while potentially speeding up the procurement process, can have mixed impacts on cost-effectiveness for taxpayers. SAP is designed for purchases below certain thresholds and often involves less extensive market research and fewer bidders than full and open competition. This can lead to a less competitive environment, potentially resulting in prices that are not as low as they might be under broader competition. However, SAP also reduces administrative costs associated with the procurement itself. For taxpayers, the trade-off is between potentially higher service costs due to reduced competition and lower administrative overhead in acquiring the service. The effectiveness hinges on whether the number of bidders (5 in this case) was sufficient to drive competitive pricing within the SAP framework.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Other Health Practitioners › Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24822Q1383

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1419 JUMANA LOOP, APOLLO BEACH, FL, 33572

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,837,465

Exercised Options: $4,631,065

Current Obligation: $4,631,065

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline