VA Awards $16M Urology Physician Services Contract to Indiana University Health Care Associates
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,968,391 ($16.0M)
Contractor: Indiana University Health Care Associates, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2018-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,921 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: BASE YEAR UROLOGY PHYSICIAN SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: INDIANAPOLIS, MARION County, INDIANA, 46202
State: Indiana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $16.0 million to INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: BASE YEAR UROLOGY PHYSICIAN SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $15.97M over 8 years. 2. Sole-source award to Indiana University Health Care Associates. 3. Potential risk of limited competition and price discovery. 4. Services fall under the Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15.97M over approximately 8 years for urology physician services appears reasonable given the duration and specialized nature of the services. However, without specific benchmarks for similar physician service contracts, a precise pricing assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This method may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the most competitive pricing available for these essential urology physician services.
Public Impact
Veterans in Indiana will continue to receive specialized urology care. The long-term contract ensures continuity of services for the VA. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive bidding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing without competitive pressure.
- Long contract duration may not reflect evolving market rates.
Positive Signals
- Ensures continuity of specialized medical services for veterans.
- Long-term commitment provides stability for the provider.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically professional services provided by educational institutions. Spending benchmarks for physician services can vary widely based on specialty and location, but a contract of this size over 8 years suggests a significant need.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Indiana University Health Care Associates, Inc., a large academic institution. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, suggesting limited opportunities for SMB participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. The sole-source justification and pricing should be subject to rigorous review to ensure fair value and accountability to taxpayers.
Related Government Programs
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for non-competitive pricing.
- Lack of transparency in award justification.
- Long contract duration may not be cost-optimal.
Tags
colleges-universities-and-professional-s, department-of-veterans-affairs, in, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $16.0 million to INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATES, INC.. BASE YEAR UROLOGY PHYSICIAN SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATES, INC..
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 $16.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What was the specific justification for the sole-source award, and was a market research analysis conducted to confirm no other qualified sources were available?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services. A thorough market research analysis should have been conducted to validate this claim and ensure no other qualified entities, including potentially smaller specialized groups, could fulfill the requirement.
How does the per-unit cost of these urology physician services compare to industry benchmarks or other VA contracts for similar services?
Without specific data on the breakdown of services and associated costs, a direct per-unit cost comparison is not possible. The total contract value of $15.97M over approximately 8 years for urology physician services is a significant investment. A detailed analysis comparing the contracted rates for specific procedures and physician time against market data and other VA agreements would be necessary to assess cost-effectiveness.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of urology physician services provided under this sole-source contract?
While the contract is sole-source, the VA likely has performance standards and quality assurance processes in place to monitor the effectiveness of the services. This would include tracking patient outcomes, satisfaction surveys, and adherence to medical protocols. Regular performance reviews and potential for contract modifications or termination for cause would also serve as oversight mechanisms.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: VA250-17-R-0515
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 340 W 10TH ST STE 5100, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 46202
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,589,301
Exercised Options: $15,968,391
Current Obligation: $15,968,391
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2028-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-01
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