VA awards $478K purchase order for equine therapy to MKE Urban Stables, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,800 ($47.8K)

Contractor: MKE Urban Stables, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-03-04

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 726 days

Daily Burn Rate: $66/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR THE MILWAUKEE VAMC

Place of Performance

Location: MILWAUKEE, MILWAUKEE County, WISCONSIN, 53295

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $47,800 to MKE URBAN STABLES, INC. for work described as: EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR THE MILWAUKEE VAMC Key points: 1. Contract awarded via purchase order, indicating a direct acquisition. 2. The contract is for equine-assisted therapy services. 3. Services are to be delivered in Wisconsin. 4. The contract duration is approximately two years. 5. No small business set-aside was applied to this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $478,000 for equine-assisted therapy over two years appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized therapeutic services. However, without specific details on the scope of services, number of beneficiaries, or session frequency, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized therapies at other VAMC facilities would provide further context on pricing and service delivery efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was noted as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which suggests it was procured under simplified acquisition procedures. The specific competition level (e.g., sole source, limited competition, or full and open) is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. If it was not competed, it raises questions about whether a more competitive process could have yielded better pricing or a wider range of qualified providers.

Taxpayer Impact: If the contract was not competitively bid, taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for these specialized services.

Public Impact

Veterans in the Milwaukee area will benefit from equine-assisted therapy. The services aim to provide therapeutic benefits through interaction with horses. The geographic impact is focused on Wisconsin. The contract supports specialized therapeutic services, potentially creating or maintaining jobs for therapists and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of clear competition details raises concerns about potential overpayment or missed opportunities for better service providers.
The specific metrics for success and patient outcomes are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the therapy.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a specific therapeutic need for veterans.
The award is to a local Wisconsin entity, potentially supporting the local economy.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly within the Department of Veterans Affairs, often procures specialized therapeutic services. Equine-assisted therapy is a niche but growing area of complementary and alternative medicine used for various physical and mental health conditions. Benchmarking this contract against other VA or government contracts for similar specialized therapies would be necessary for a comprehensive sector analysis.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the information provided. The award to MKE Urban Stables, Inc. does not explicitly state if it is a small business itself, but the lack of a set-aside suggests it was not a primary consideration for this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the purchase order, including service delivery standards and payment schedules. Transparency regarding the procurement process and performance outcomes would be subject to VA policies and federal acquisition regulations.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Services Contracts
Therapeutic Services Procurement
Veterans Health Services

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed competition information.
Unclear performance metrics and outcome measures.
Limited public information on contractor's past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $47,800 to MKE URBAN STABLES, INC.. EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR THE MILWAUKEE VAMC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MKE URBAN STABLES, 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 $47,800.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-04. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the specific scope of services included in this equine-assisted therapy contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of services for the equine-assisted therapy. It is understood to involve therapeutic interventions utilizing horses. A comprehensive understanding would require reviewing the contract's statement of work (SOW), which would outline the types of therapy, frequency of sessions, target patient populations (e.g., for PTSD, physical rehabilitation, mental health), and expected therapeutic outcomes. Without this detail, it's difficult to fully assess the value and appropriateness of the award.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar equine-assisted therapy services?

A direct comparison of pricing is challenging without more granular data on the services provided. The total award is $478,000 over approximately 726 days. To benchmark effectively, one would need to know the number of sessions, the duration of each session, and the specific therapeutic modalities used. Comparing the per-session cost or cost per beneficiary to similar contracts within the VA or other federal agencies, or even to private sector rates for comparable services in the Milwaukee area, would be necessary to determine if this represents good value for money.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the methods for measuring the success of this equine-assisted therapy contract. Typically, such contracts would include metrics related to patient progress, therapeutic outcomes (e.g., reduction in symptoms, improvement in functional abilities), patient satisfaction, and adherence to treatment plans. The Department of Veterans Affairs would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs to ensure the contractor is meeting the agreed-upon service levels and delivering effective therapy.

What is the track record of MKE Urban Stables, Inc. in providing government contracts, particularly for therapeutic services?

Information regarding the track record of MKE Urban Stables, Inc. in providing government contracts is not available in the provided data. To assess their reliability and past performance, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. This information is crucial for understanding their experience and capability in delivering the contracted services.

What is the historical spending pattern for equine-assisted therapy or similar services at the Milwaukee VAMC?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for equine-assisted therapy or similar services at the Milwaukee VAMC. To analyze historical spending, one would need to access past contract awards and obligations for this specific facility and service category over several fiscal years. This would help determine if this $478,000 award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment in such therapies and identify any trends in utilization or cost.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Individual and Family Services › Other Individual and Family Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C25224Q0236

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 143 E. LINCOLN AVENUE, MILWAUKEE, WI, 53207

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: $110,200

Exercised Options: $47,800

Current Obligation: $47,800

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline