VA awards $3.5M for therapeutic medical physicist services, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,522,378 ($3.5M)

Contractor: Photon Physics Services

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-06-01

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BOARD CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC MEDICAL PHYSICIST SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90073

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.5 million to PHOTON PHYSICS SERVICES for work described as: BOARD CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC MEDICAL PHYSICIST SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a healthy market for these niche services. 3. Performance risk appears low due to the defined scope and fixed-price structure. 4. Services are critical for advanced medical imaging and treatment planning. 5. This contract fits within the broader healthcare services sector for the VA.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.52 million over four years for therapeutic medical physicist services seems within a reasonable range for specialized healthcare support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for these niche services is challenging without more specific data on the scope of work and required expertise. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, suggesting an effort to achieve value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process was utilized. With three bidders participating, there was a degree of competition, which generally aids in price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive offers. The level of competition suggests that while the market may not be saturated, there are multiple capable providers.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition among three bidders likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source award. This level of engagement helps ensure that public funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from access to advanced medical imaging and radiation therapy planning. Services will be delivered across facilities within the VA's jurisdiction. The contract supports highly skilled professionals in the medical physics field. Improved diagnostic and treatment capabilities will enhance patient care outcomes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Contract competed under SAP, indicating a fair process.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Multiple bidders participated, suggesting market availability.
Services are essential for patient care within the VA.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector is a significant area of federal spending, particularly for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This contract for therapeutic medical physicist services falls under the broader category of specialized medical support, essential for advanced diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology. Comparable spending in this niche area is difficult to pinpoint without specific service details, but it represents a critical component of modern healthcare delivery.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. As the contract was competed under SAP, it's possible that small businesses were encouraged to participate, but without specific details, their direct impact or inclusion cannot be assessed. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were significantly involved or benefited from this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, implying standard federal procurement oversight. The fixed-price nature of the award helps in managing costs. Accountability would be managed through performance monitoring and adherence to the contract terms. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract data, though detailed performance metrics are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Health Administration Medical Services
Radiology and Imaging Services
Radiation Oncology Services
Medical Equipment and Supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.5 million to PHOTON PHYSICS SERVICES. BOARD CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC MEDICAL PHYSICIST SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PHOTON PHYSICS SERVICES.

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 $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-01. End: 2027-05-31.

What is the specific scope of services expected from the therapeutic medical physicist?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'BOARD CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC MEDICAL PHYSICIST SERVICES.' This typically encompasses a range of critical tasks including calibration and quality assurance of radiation therapy equipment (e.g., linear accelerators), treatment planning support, radiation safety compliance, dosimetry, and ensuring the accurate and safe delivery of radiation treatments for cancer patients. The exact deliverables would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which is not included in the provided summary data. Understanding the precise scope is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment.

How does the $3.52 million contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar services?

Benchmarking this $3.52 million contract for therapeutic medical physicist services is challenging without detailed information on the specific services required, the number of facilities supported, and the geographic coverage. However, the contract duration of approximately four years (1460 days) suggests an annual value of roughly $880,000. This figure needs to be weighed against the complexity of the services, the qualifications required (board-certified), and the specific needs of the VA facilities it serves. Industry benchmarks for medical physics consulting can vary widely based on these factors, but this amount appears to be within a plausible range for comprehensive support to multiple facilities or a large single facility.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include the availability of qualified personnel, ensuring consistent quality of service across the contract duration, and potential scope creep if not managed carefully. Mitigation strategies likely involve the VA's performance monitoring processes, adherence to the firm fixed-price structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently, and the requirement for board certification, which ensures a baseline level of expertise. The defined period of performance (four years) also provides stability. The competition among three bidders may also reduce the risk of contractor underperformance, as alternatives exist.

What is the historical spending pattern for therapeutic medical physicist services by the VA?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for this specific contract or for therapeutic medical physicist services broadly by the VA. To assess historical trends, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov) for previous contracts awarded by the VA for similar services, noting the award amounts, durations, and contractors over several fiscal years. This would reveal whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and identify any dominant contractors in this space.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation impact the perceived value for money?

Competing under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) means the contract was likely valued between the micro-purchase threshold and the SAP threshold (currently $250,000 up to $9.5 million for most agencies). For a contract valued at $3.52 million, this designation indicates that the VA followed procedures designed for efficiency and speed while still ensuring competition. The fact that it was competed, rather than sole-sourced, and attracted three bidders suggests that the process likely yielded a competitive price, thereby enhancing the perceived value for money compared to a non-competitive award. SAP procedures aim to balance competition with administrative ease for smaller procurements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Other Health Practitioners › Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C26222R0156

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15 ENCANTO DR, ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, CA, 90274

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,534,316

Exercised Options: $3,534,316

Current Obligation: $3,522,378

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline