VA awards $2.9M ground ambulance contract to Journey Via Gurney, LLC for California services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,908,875 ($2.9M)

Contractor: Journey VIA Gurney, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICE - BASE + 4 OY

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92161

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.9 million to JOURNEY VIA GURNEY, LLC for work described as: GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICE - BASE + 4 OY Key points: 1. Contract awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 729 days (2 years) provides a stable service period. 3. The base contract value is $2,908,875, with potential for adjustments based on service needs. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621910 indicates specialized ambulance services. 5. The contract is a definitive contract, implying a clear scope of work and terms. 6. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.9 million over two years for ground ambulance services in California appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the service. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more specific details on service levels and geographic coverage. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost predictability. The award to a single vendor suggests that the pricing was deemed competitive at the time of award.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which is a specific procurement method. It implies that while the competition was open, certain sources may have been excluded for specific reasons, but the overall process aimed for broad participation. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a moderate level of competition, which generally aids in price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this contract likely resulted in a fair market price for taxpayers, preventing excessive costs associated with sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Veterans in California will benefit from reliable ground ambulance services. The contract ensures the availability of essential emergency medical transportation. Services are geographically focused within California, impacting local communities. The contract supports the healthcare sector by ensuring critical medical transport infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if the contractor faces operational challenges.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service could pose a risk.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across all service calls is paramount.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and budget predictability.
Contract duration of two years offers stability in service provision.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, specifically emergency medical services, is characterized by specialized equipment, trained personnel, and regulatory compliance. Ground ambulance services are a critical component of the healthcare infrastructure, ensuring timely patient transport. The market for these services can be localized, with competition varying by region. This contract fits within the broader federal spending on healthcare support services for beneficiaries.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. The contract value and nature of the service suggest it may be awarded to established providers. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could arise if the prime contractor utilizes specialized services or equipment from smaller local providers.

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 databases like SAM.gov. The VA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Services
Emergency Medical Services Contracts
Healthcare Transportation Services
Federal Ambulance Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service gaps if contractor fails to meet response times.
Risk of increased costs if unforeseen service demands arise beyond contract scope.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical medical transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.9 million to JOURNEY VIA GURNEY, LLC. GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICE - BASE + 4 OY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOURNEY VIA GURNEY, 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 $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Journey Via Gurney, LLC in providing government services, particularly ambulance services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Journey Via Gurney, LLC in providing government services, especially ambulance services, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or commendations from previous government engagements. Without this data, it's difficult to ascertain their experience level and reliability for this specific VA contract. Further research into federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems would be necessary to provide a detailed analysis of their past performance.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar ground ambulance services in California?

The provided data does not include specific details on the service level agreements, response times, or geographic coverage areas that would be necessary to benchmark the awarded price against market rates. Ground ambulance service costs can vary significantly based on factors such as the type of transport (e.g., basic life support vs. advanced life support), distance, equipment, staffing levels, and local market conditions within California. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to gather data on comparable contracts awarded by other federal agencies, state, or local governments in similar regions, as well as private sector pricing for equivalent services.

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

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this ground ambulance service contract. Typically, for such services, KPIs might include response times, patient care quality metrics, vehicle maintenance standards, compliance with medical protocols, and customer satisfaction. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would establish these KPIs in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). Monitoring would likely involve regular reporting by the contractor, site visits, data analysis of service records, and potentially patient feedback mechanisms to ensure adherence to the required standards.

What is the historical spending pattern for ground ambulance services by the Department of Veterans Affairs in California?

The provided data snippet focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns for ground ambulance services by the VA in California. To analyze historical spending, one would need to access broader federal procurement data, filtering for the VA, the specific service category (NAICS 621910 or similar), and the geographic region of California over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, number of awards, and potentially the primary contractors utilized, allowing for an assessment of spending consistency and growth.

Are there any specific risks associated with Journey Via Gurney, LLC's operational capacity or financial stability that could impact service delivery?

The provided data does not contain information regarding the operational capacity or financial stability of Journey Via Gurney, LLC. Assessing these risks would typically involve reviewing the contractor's pre-award assessments, financial health reports, and any past performance issues related to operational disruptions or financial difficulties. Without access to such proprietary or detailed performance data, it is impossible to definitively identify specific risks associated with this contractor's ability to consistently deliver the required ambulance services throughout the contract period.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 36C26224Q1324

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1330 W ROBINHOOD DR STE B, STOCKTON, CA, 95207

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,442,700

Exercised Options: $2,908,875

Current Obligation: $2,908,875

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline