VA awards $3M contract for wheelchair transportation in Kentucky, with 8 bidders vying for the service

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,017,080 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Community Pastor Care LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-03-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,309 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: ROBLEY REX VAMC WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON County, KENTUCKY, 40206

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.0 million to COMMUNITY PASTOR CARE LLC for work described as: ROBLEY REX VAMC WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of specialized transportation services. 2. Strong competition among 8 bidders suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance will be crucial to ensure timely and appropriate care for veterans. 5. This contract supports essential healthcare logistics within the Veterans Affairs sector. 6. The geographic focus on Kentucky ensures localized support for veterans in the region.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3 million over 3.5 years for specialized transportation services in Kentucky seems competitive. While direct comparisons are difficult without more granular data on service levels and geographic coverage, the presence of 8 bidders indicates a potentially efficient market. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar VA transportation contracts in other states or regions would offer further insight into value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely a full and open competition accessible to a broad range of vendors. The participation of 8 bidders suggests robust interest and a competitive environment. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition among 8 bidders is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down the final contract price and encouraged vendors to offer their best value propositions.

Public Impact

Veterans in Kentucky requiring wheelchair transportation services will benefit from reliable and accessible transport to medical appointments. The service ensures that veterans can receive necessary healthcare, improving health outcomes and quality of life. The contract's geographic focus on Kentucky means local veterans will have dedicated support within their state. This contract supports local jobs in the transportation and healthcare support sectors within Kentucky.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Ensuring consistent quality of service across all providers and locations.
Monitoring contractor performance to guarantee adherence to specialized transportation protocols.
Managing potential disruptions in service due to unforeseen circumstances.

Positive Signals

The contract is for a defined period, allowing for reassessment and potential adjustments.
Multiple bidders indicate a competitive market, which can lead to better service quality.
The fixed-price contract structure incentivizes efficient service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare transportation sector is a critical component of the broader healthcare delivery system, ensuring patient access to care. This contract falls within the specialized transportation services niche, often characterized by specific vehicle requirements, trained personnel, and adherence to strict scheduling and safety protocols. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by demographic needs and healthcare utilization patterns. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other VA contracts for similar specialized transport services across different regions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not specify any small business set-aside. While the primary awardee is Community Pastor Care LLC, further investigation would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this contract. The absence of a specific set-aside suggests the competition was open to all eligible offerors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms likely include performance monitoring, quality assurance checks, and adherence to contract terms. Accountability measures would involve performance metrics and potential remedies for non-compliance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be internal.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Care Transportation
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Veteran Support Services
Healthcare Logistics

Risk Flags

Potential for service gaps if contractor fails to meet demand.
Risk of inconsistent service quality impacting veteran care.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.0 million to COMMUNITY PASTOR CARE LLC. ROBLEY REX VAMC WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COMMUNITY PASTOR CARE 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 $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of Community Pastor Care LLC in providing similar transportation services to the federal government?

Information regarding Community Pastor Care LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, particularly for specialized transportation services, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain their past performance, including contract history, performance ratings, and any past issues or commendations. Understanding their experience with VA contracts or similar healthcare-related services would provide crucial context for assessing their capability to fulfill this current award effectively.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar wheelchair transportation services in Kentucky?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs or detailed service metrics, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. To assess value for money, one would need to benchmark the contract's total value ($3.02M) against the duration (1309 days) and the expected volume and type of services. Researching average costs for wheelchair transportation services in Kentucky, considering factors like mileage, time, and specialized equipment, would be essential. The presence of 8 bidders suggests the pricing may be competitive, but a detailed market analysis is required for a definitive conclusion.

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

Key risks include potential service disruptions, inconsistent quality of care, and failure to meet the specific needs of veterans requiring wheelchair transport. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the VA, clear service level agreements (SLAs) within the contract, and contingency planning by the contractor. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate financial risks for the government related to cost overruns. Ensuring the contractor has adequate insurance and qualified personnel is also critical.

How effective has the VA been in managing similar transportation contracts in the past?

Assessing the VA's overall effectiveness in managing similar transportation contracts requires analyzing historical data on contract performance, dispute resolution, and patient satisfaction across various VA facilities and regions. While this specific contract is new, the VA's established procurement processes and oversight structures are designed to manage such awards. Examining Inspector General reports or GAO reviews related to VA transportation services could offer insights into systemic strengths and weaknesses in contract management.

What is the historical spending trend for wheelchair transportation services by the VA, particularly in the Kentucky region?

The provided data only pertains to this specific contract award. To understand historical spending trends, one would need to analyze VA procurement data over several fiscal years, filtering for contracts related to wheelchair transportation, non-emergency medical transportation, or similar services. Comparing spending in Kentucky against national averages or other VA regions would reveal patterns and potential increases or decreases in demand and investment in these services.

What are the specific performance metrics and quality standards outlined in the contract?

The provided summary data does not detail the specific performance metrics or quality standards. Typically, such contracts would include requirements related to on-time performance, vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications and training, patient safety protocols, and complaint resolution procedures. The VA contracting officer and COR (Contracting Officer's Representative) would be responsible for monitoring adherence to these metrics throughout the contract's performance period.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C24922Q0100

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7356 GARNERS FERRY RD STE 125, COLUMBIA, SC, 29209

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, 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: $3,017,080

Exercised Options: $3,017,080

Current Obligation: $3,017,080

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline