VA awards $3.8M specialty transportation contract to Community Pastor Care LLC in Tennessee

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,779,475 ($3.8M)

Contractor: Community Pastor Care LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-04-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 486 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: SPECIALTY TRANSPORTATION - VAMC MEMPHIS

Place of Performance

Location: MEMPHIS, SHELBY County, TENNESSEE, 38105

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.8 million to COMMUNITY PASTOR CARE LLC for work described as: SPECIALTY TRANSPORTATION - VAMC MEMPHIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialty transportation services, indicating a need for non-emergency medical transport. 2. The contract duration of 486 days suggests a medium-term need for these services. 3. Awarded as a Purchase Order, which is typically used for smaller value procurements. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The contractor, Community Pastor Care LLC, is a new awardee for this specific service with the VA. 6. The service is categorized under Special Needs Transportation, highlighting a specific user group.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $3.8 million over 16 months is moderate for specialized transportation services. Without comparable contract data for similar specialty transportation services within the VA or other federal agencies, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure is standard for such services, but the absence of competition raises questions about whether the pricing reflects the best possible value. Benchmarking against commercial rates for specialized medical transportation in the Memphis area would provide further insight into the pricing fairness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which typically implies it was procured under simplified acquisition procedures and likely not fully competed. The absence of a competitive bidding process means that multiple vendors did not have the opportunity to offer their services, potentially limiting price discovery and innovation. The rationale for not competing the award is not detailed, but it suggests a potential lack of available qualified sources or a specific justification for a sole-source award.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most cost-effective pricing that a competitive bidding process could have yielded. This could result in a higher overall cost for the services provided.

Public Impact

Veterans in the Memphis, Tennessee area will benefit from specialized transportation services. The contract ensures the delivery of essential non-emergency medical transportation. Services are geographically focused within Tennessee, specifically supporting the Memphis VA Medical Center. The contract supports local employment through the provision of transportation services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source award.
Potential for less innovation or service improvement due to no competitive pressure.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Ensures essential transportation services are provided to a specific veteran population.
Awarding to a specific vendor may indicate a tailored solution for unique needs.

Sector Analysis

Specialty transportation services, particularly those catering to medical needs, represent a niche but critical segment within the broader transportation and healthcare support sectors. The federal government, especially agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, frequently procures such services to ensure beneficiaries can access necessary medical care. Market size for specialized medical transportation is substantial, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare demands. This contract fits within the VA's ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive care to veterans, ensuring they can reach appointments and facilities.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Community Pastor Care LLC, without further information on its size, does not explicitly signal a direct benefit or impact on the broader small business ecosystem in terms of subcontracting opportunities for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award and the lack of detailed public justification. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency in procurement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.8 million to COMMUNITY PASTOR CARE LLC. SPECIALTY TRANSPORTATION - VAMC MEMPHIS

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 $3.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-01. End: 2026-07-31.

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

Based on the provided data, Community Pastor Care LLC is a new awardee for this specific specialty transportation service with the Department of Veterans Affairs. There is no immediate indication of a long-standing track record with the federal government for this particular type of contract. Further investigation into their past performance, especially with other federal agencies or in similar service areas, would be necessary to fully assess their experience and reliability. The award as a Purchase Order suggests it might be an initial or smaller-scale engagement, which could be a precursor to larger contracts if performance is satisfactory.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar specialty transportation contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

A direct comparison of the pricing for this $3.8 million contract is difficult without access to a database of comparable federal contracts for specialty transportation services. The contract is firm-fixed-price, which provides cost certainty but does not inherently guarantee the best value. The fact that it was not competed under SAP suggests potential limitations in market research or a specific justification for a non-competitive award. Benchmarking against commercial rates for similar services in the Memphis, TN area, and reviewing historical VA contracts for comparable transportation needs would be essential to determine if the pricing is competitive and represents good value for taxpayers.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract award?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract award include potential overpayment due to the lack of competitive bidding, which could lead to suboptimal value for taxpayers. There is also a risk of reduced service quality or innovation, as the contractor faces no direct competition to incentivize improvements. Furthermore, the lack of transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award raises concerns about the procurement process itself. If the contractor fails to perform adequately, the process of finding and awarding a contract to an alternative provider could be lengthy and disruptive to service delivery.

How effective is the Department of Veterans Affairs in ensuring adequate specialty transportation services through non-competitive awards?

The effectiveness of the VA in ensuring adequate specialty transportation services through non-competitive awards can vary significantly. While sole-source awards are sometimes necessary due to unique requirements, limited vendor availability, or urgent needs, they bypass the benefits of competition, such as potentially lower prices and higher quality through vendor innovation. The VA has established procedures for justifying non-competitive awards, but their consistent application and the thoroughness of market research are critical to ensuring effectiveness. Success hinges on robust internal oversight, clear performance metrics, and diligent contract management to mitigate the inherent risks of not competing.

What are the historical spending patterns for specialty transportation services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending patterns for specialty transportation services by the Department of Veterans Affairs are substantial, reflecting the critical need to ensure veterans can access healthcare facilities. The VA consistently procures various forms of transportation, including non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), to support its nationwide network of medical centers and clinics. While specific aggregate spending figures for 'specialty transportation' can be difficult to isolate without detailed category analysis, the overall budget allocated to patient transport and related services runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually. This contract represents a portion of that ongoing investment in veteran care logistics.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the local transportation market in Memphis, TN?

This contract could have a moderate impact on the local transportation market in Memphis, TN, by providing a significant revenue stream to Community Pastor Care LLC. If the company is locally based or expands its operations to serve this contract, it could lead to job creation for drivers and support staff. However, as a sole-source award, it does not stimulate broader competition among local providers. The impact on other local transportation companies depends on whether they were aware of the need, capable of bidding, or if this contract fulfills a specific niche not adequately covered by existing services. The duration and value suggest a stable, albeit singular, demand.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1908 E BOUNDARY RD, COLUMBIA, SC, 29223

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: $3,779,475

Exercised Options: $3,779,475

Current Obligation: $3,779,475

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline