VA awards $3.2M contract for non-emergency ground transportation in Mississippi

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,194,140 ($3.2M)

Contractor: Parking Veterans Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-05-15

End Date: 2027-05-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NON-EMERGENCY GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Place of Performance

Location: JACKSON, HINDS County, MISSISSIPPI, 39216

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.2 million to PARKING VETERANS INC for work described as: NON-EMERGENCY GROUND TRANSPORTATION Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.2 million over one year. 2. Competition type is 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a streamlined process. 3. Risk is moderate due to potential service disruptions if provider fails. 4. Sector is primarily service-based transportation for veterans.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.2 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized transportation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for non-emergency medical transportation would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition environment. While this can expedite procurement, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential veteran services. The pricing appears fair given the specialized nature of the transportation, but further analysis of the SAP competition's effectiveness is warranted.

Public Impact

Ensures veterans have access to necessary medical appointments. Supports mobility for veterans with special needs. Provides a reliable transportation service within Mississippi.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service gaps if provider underperforms.
Reliance on a single provider for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Addresses a clear need for veteran transportation.
Contract duration provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the healthcare support services sector, specifically focusing on transportation. Spending benchmarks for similar non-emergency medical transportation contracts vary widely based on geographic location and service complexity.

Small Business Impact

Analysis of small business participation is not directly available from the provided data. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Accountability will be measured by the provider's adherence to service level agreements and the quality of transportation provided.

Related Government Programs

Special Needs Transportation
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if provider fails.
Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.
Ensuring consistent quality across all transportation instances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.2 million to PARKING VETERANS INC. NON-EMERGENCY GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PARKING VETERANS 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 $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-15. End: 2027-05-14.

What is the typical cost per mile or per trip for this type of specialized transportation in Mississippi?

Determining the typical cost per mile or per trip for specialized non-emergency ground transportation in Mississippi requires detailed market research. Factors such as vehicle type, driver qualifications, geographic coverage, and specific patient needs significantly influence pricing. Without this granular data, a precise benchmark is difficult to establish, but costs can range from $2-$5 per mile or $50-$150 per trip depending on the service level.

What are the specific criteria used for 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' and how does this impact price discovery?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are typically used for purchases below the micro-purchase threshold (currently $10,000) up to the small business competition threshold (currently $250,000). For contracts above this, specific justifications are needed. SAP aims for efficiency but may limit the pool of potential bidders compared to full and open competition, potentially impacting price discovery by reducing competitive pressure.

How will the VA ensure the quality and reliability of the transportation services provided under this contract?

The VA will ensure quality and reliability through the contract's performance work statement (PWS), which outlines specific service requirements, response times, vehicle standards, and driver qualifications. Performance will be monitored through regular reporting, potential site visits, and feedback mechanisms from veteran users. The contract's firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to meet these standards efficiently.

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: 36C25626Q0012

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 18282 GRAMERCY DR, SANTA ANA, CA, 92705

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,194,140

Exercised Options: $3,194,140

Current Obligation: $3,194,140

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline