VA awards $1.3M contract for rehab patient surveys to Medtel Outcomes LLC, a sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,353 ($13.4K)

Contractor: Medtel Outcomes LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-04-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 547 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REHAB PATIENT SURVEYS - MEDTEL OUTCOMES - 03/31/2024 - 09/30/2024

Place of Performance

Location: LOMA LINDA, SAN BERNARDINO County, CALIFORNIA, 92357

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $13,353 to MEDTEL OUTCOMES LLC for work described as: REHAB PATIENT SURVEYS - MEDTEL OUTCOMES - 03/31/2024 - 09/30/2024 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via sole-source purchase order, raising questions about competition and potential value. 2. Limited competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a more open bidding process. 3. Performance period of 18 months suggests a need for ongoing data collection and analysis. 4. Focus on rehabilitation patient surveys indicates a commitment to improving veteran healthcare outcomes. 5. The contract's value of $1.3M warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness and alignment with market rates. 6. No small business set-aside, suggesting the primary contractor is not a small business.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.3 million for rehabilitation patient surveys over 18 months appears to be a significant investment. Without comparable contract data for similar services, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value for money. However, the sole-source nature of the award suggests that competitive pricing may not have been fully explored, potentially impacting overall cost-effectiveness. Further analysis would be needed to compare Medtel Outcomes LLC's pricing structure against industry standards for market research and public opinion polling, particularly within the healthcare sector.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. The Department of Veterans Affairs likely determined that Medtel Outcomes LLC was the only source capable of meeting the specific requirements or that other justifications for a sole-source award applied. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through a bidding process, which could result in a less favorable price for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The government did not leverage market forces to secure the best possible price for these essential patient surveys.

Public Impact

Veterans undergoing rehabilitation will benefit from improved feedback mechanisms and potentially better-tailored services. The contract will deliver valuable data on patient experiences to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This data can inform policy and operational changes aimed at enhancing the quality of care for veterans. The contract supports the VA's mission to provide comprehensive healthcare services to its beneficiaries.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially increases costs.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.
No indication of performance metrics or quality assurance beyond standard contract terms.
Potential for vendor lock-in if this is a recurring need.

Positive Signals

Focus on veteran rehabilitation patient feedback is crucial for service improvement.
Contract duration suggests a sustained effort to gather important data.
Medtel Outcomes LLC is the selected vendor, implying some level of trust or prior engagement.

Sector Analysis

The market for marketing research and public opinion polling (NAICS code 541910) is diverse, encompassing a wide range of services from consumer surveys to political polling. Federal agencies frequently utilize these services for program evaluation, policy development, and understanding public sentiment. The value of this contract, at $1.3 million, places it as a mid-sized engagement within the federal contracting landscape for market research. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other VA or agency contracts for similar survey and data collection services, considering factors like scope, duration, and methodology.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the services from a specific vendor, rather than promoting small business participation. The absence of small business considerations in this sole-source award means potential opportunities for small businesses in the market research sector are not being leveraged through this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a purchase order, it may have less formal oversight than a larger, more complex contract, but standard procurement regulations and performance monitoring should apply. Accountability will be tied to the delivery of survey data and reports as specified in the contract terms. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with the justification for this approach being key to understanding the oversight rationale.

Related Government Programs

VA Patient Experience Surveys
Healthcare Quality Improvement Programs
Veteran Affairs Research and Development
Federal Market Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential overpricing.
Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-source procurement.
No explicit small business subcontracting requirements noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $13,353 to MEDTEL OUTCOMES LLC. REHAB PATIENT SURVEYS - MEDTEL OUTCOMES - 03/31/2024 - 09/30/2024

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MEDTEL OUTCOMES 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 $13,353.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the specific justification provided by the VA for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Medtel Outcomes LLC?

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 meeting the agency's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. For the Department of Veterans Affairs to award a contract without competition, they would need to document a rationale that meets Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) criteria, such as unique capabilities, proprietary data, or a lack of other qualified vendors. Without this documentation, it is difficult to assess the validity of the sole-source determination and whether it truly represents the best value for the government and taxpayers.

How does the $1.3 million contract value compare to similar rehabilitation patient survey contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $1.3 million contract against similar federal awards requires access to a broader dataset of VA and agency contracts for market research and public opinion polling, specifically focused on patient surveys. Without this comparative data, it's challenging to ascertain if the price is competitive. Factors such as the number of surveys, complexity of the methodology, geographic scope, and reporting requirements significantly influence contract value. The sole-source nature of this award further complicates direct comparison, as competitive bids often drive prices down. A thorough analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar objectives and durations to establish a reasonable market price range.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from Medtel Outcomes LLC under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'REHAB PATIENT SURVEYS - MEDTEL OUTCOMES - 03/31/2024 - 09/30/2024' and is a 'PURCHASE ORDER' with a 'FIRM FIXED PRICE' type. While this outlines the service and financial terms, it does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or deliverables. Typically, such a contract would require the delivery of survey instruments, data collection reports, analysis summaries, and final reports detailing findings and recommendations. The VA would likely have internal quality assurance processes to monitor the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of these deliverables to ensure the contract objectives are met.

What is Medtel Outcomes LLC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies for similar services?

The provided data identifies Medtel Outcomes LLC as the contractor for this specific purchase order. However, it does not offer insight into their broader track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or other federal agencies. To assess their past performance, one would need to examine contract databases for previous awards, contract performance reports (CPARS), and any documented history of successful or problematic engagements. Understanding their experience with similar survey projects, their ability to meet deadlines, and the quality of their past deliverables would be crucial in evaluating their suitability and reliability for this current contract.

What is the potential impact of this contract on improving rehabilitation services for veterans?

This contract aims to gather feedback directly from rehabilitation patients, which is crucial for identifying areas of strength and weakness in the services provided by the VA. By systematically collecting and analyzing patient experiences, the VA can gain actionable insights into the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, patient satisfaction levels, and unmet needs. This data can inform evidence-based improvements to treatment protocols, facility resources, staff training, and overall patient care pathways. Ultimately, the insights derived from these surveys have the potential to enhance the quality, efficiency, and patient-centeredness of rehabilitation services, leading to better health outcomes for veterans.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C26224AP2172

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2821 WEHRLE DR STE 12, BUFFALO, NY, 14221

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,103

Exercised Options: $13,353

Current Obligation: $13,353

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline