VA awards $5.9M contract for wheelchair transportation in Texas, highlighting a need for specialized medical logistics

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,922,164 ($5.9M)

Contractor: Acadian Ambulance Service of Texas, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-07-02

End Date: 2025-07-01

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EXERCISE & FUND ORDERING PERIOD 1 STX WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78229

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $5.9 million to ACADIAN AMBULANCE SERVICE OF TEXAS, LLC for work described as: EXERCISE & FUND ORDERING PERIOD 1 STX WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized medical transport services over a one-year period. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Potential risks include service disruptions or quality issues if contractor performance falters. 4. This contract supports essential healthcare access for veterans in Texas. 5. The ambulance services sector is critical for emergency and non-emergency medical support. 6. Spending aligns with the VA's mission to provide comprehensive healthcare to veterans.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.92 million for a one-year period for wheelchair transportation services in Texas seems within a reasonable range for specialized medical logistics. Benchmarking against similar contracts for ambulance and non-emergency medical transportation services would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope of services and geographic coverage are key factors. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, assuming the contractor can efficiently deliver the required services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and encourage service providers to offer quality services to win the contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method of competition suggests a robust market for ambulance and transportation services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better service quality, ensuring government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Veterans in Texas requiring wheelchair transportation for medical appointments and services are the primary beneficiaries. The contract ensures the delivery of essential non-emergency medical transportation, facilitating access to healthcare. The geographic impact is focused on Texas, specifically serving veterans within the operational area of Acadian Ambulance Service of Texas, LLC. This contract supports jobs within the medical transportation and logistics sector in Texas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service delays impacting veteran appointments.
Ensuring consistent vehicle maintenance and driver training standards.
Managing surge demand during peak appointment periods.

Positive Signals

Contractor has experience in ambulance and medical transport services.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market.

Sector Analysis

The ambulance services sector is a vital component of the healthcare infrastructure, providing critical transportation for patients requiring medical attention. This contract falls within the broader healthcare support services industry, which is characterized by specialized equipment, trained personnel, and regulatory compliance. Spending in this area is driven by the demand for patient mobility, particularly for vulnerable populations like veterans, and is influenced by healthcare utilization rates and government healthcare spending priorities.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of the service and the prime contractor, it is likely that larger, established providers are involved. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are participating as subcontractors or if there are opportunities missed for small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms would typically include performance monitoring, quality assurance checks, and adherence to contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, and any specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would be related to fraud, waste, or abuse within VA procurements.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Care Programs
Veteran Transportation Services
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Ambulance Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruptions impacting veteran healthcare access.
Ensuring compliance with all VA and federal transportation regulations.
Managing contractor performance to meet quality and timeliness standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $5.9 million to ACADIAN AMBULANCE SERVICE OF TEXAS, LLC. EXERCISE & FUND ORDERING PERIOD 1 STX WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACADIAN AMBULANCE SERVICE OF TEXAS, 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 $5.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-02. End: 2025-07-01.

What is the track record of Acadian Ambulance Service of Texas, LLC in performing similar government contracts?

Acadian Ambulance Service of Texas, LLC is a known provider of emergency medical services and transportation. While specific details on their past government contract performance, including satisfaction ratings or past performance reviews, are not provided in this data snippet, their established presence in the Texas market suggests experience. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) and contractor performance assessment reporting (CPARS) would be necessary to fully evaluate their track record with government entities, looking for any history of disputes, performance issues, or exceptional service delivery.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or previous contract values for similar services?

The awarded amount of $5.92 million for a one-year contract for wheelchair transportation services in Texas is a significant figure. Without historical data for this specific route or service level from the VA, direct comparison is difficult. However, the average cost for non-emergency medical transportation can vary widely based on mileage, duration, and level of care required. If this contract covers a large geographic area or a high volume of transports, the cost could be justified. Benchmarking against other VA or DoD contracts for similar services in comparable regions would be essential to determine if this represents a competitive price point or if there are opportunities for cost savings.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for transportation services, KPIs would include metrics such as on-time performance (e.g., percentage of transports arriving within a specified window), patient satisfaction scores, vehicle availability, response times for urgent requests, and compliance with safety regulations. SLAs would define the expected standards for these metrics, often with associated remedies or penalties for non-compliance. The VA would monitor these KPIs to ensure the contractor is meeting the required service standards.

Are there any identified risks related to the contractor's financial stability or operational capacity?

The provided data does not include information on the contractor's financial stability or operational capacity. Acadian Ambulance Service of Texas, LLC is a substantial entity, but a comprehensive risk assessment would typically involve reviewing financial health indicators, fleet size and maintenance records, staffing levels, and emergency preparedness plans. The VA's procurement process usually includes vetting contractors for responsibility, which involves assessing their ability to perform the contract successfully. However, without access to detailed vetting reports or ongoing performance monitoring, specific risks in these areas remain unevaluated based solely on this award notice.

What is the historical spending pattern for wheelchair transportation services by the VA in Texas?

This specific data point does not provide historical spending patterns for wheelchair transportation services by the VA in Texas. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar services within the VA's Texas facilities over several fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases to identify previous contracts, their values, durations, and awarded contractors. Understanding historical spending can reveal trends, identify potential cost increases or decreases over time, and highlight any shifts in contracting strategies or provider choices by the VA in the region.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Other Ambulatory Health Care Services › Ambulance Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 130 E KALISTE SALOOM, LAFAYETTE, LA, 70508

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,922,164

Exercised Options: $5,922,164

Current Obligation: $5,922,164

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25723D0041

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline