VA awards $1.98M contract for wheelchair transportation in California, raising questions about competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,978,970 ($2.0M)

Contractor: ONE Life Transportation LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-05-29

End Date: 2026-03-06

Contract Duration: 281 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORTATION SVC AT SAN DIEGO VA

Place of Performance

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

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.0 million to ONE LIFE TRANSPORTATION LLC for work described as: BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORTATION SVC AT SAN DIEGO VA Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. The contract duration of 281 days suggests a need for ongoing, specialized services. 3. Focus on special needs transportation indicates a critical service for vulnerable veterans. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but may not incentivize efficiency. 5. Limited data on performance metrics makes a full value-for-money assessment challenging. 6. The award to a single vendor warrants scrutiny regarding market availability and alternatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific wheelchair transportation service is difficult without comparable contract data for similar specialized services within the VA system. The firm-fixed-price structure of $1.98 million for a period of 281 days provides cost certainty for the agency. However, the absence of competitive bidding means there's no direct market comparison to assess if this price represents optimal value or if lower prices could have been achieved through a more open procurement process. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of services and the specific needs of the veteran population served.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can meet the specific requirements, often due to unique capabilities or urgent needs. The lack of competition means that the Department of Veterans Affairs did not benefit from the price discovery and potential cost reductions that typically arise from multiple bids. This raises concerns about whether the agency explored all available options to ensure the most cost-effective solution was secured.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, there is less assurance that the negotiated price reflects the lowest possible cost for these essential transportation services.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring wheelchair transportation services in the San Diego area will benefit from this contract. Ensures continuity of essential medical and personal transport for mobility-impaired individuals. The service is geographically focused on California, specifically the San Diego region. Supports local employment opportunities within the transportation and caregiving sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess service quality and efficiency.
The contract's value, while not excessively high, warrants scrutiny due to the non-competitive nature.
Limited information on the contractor's track record in providing specialized transportation services.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for specialized transportation for veterans with mobility challenges.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
Contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing service requirement.

Sector Analysis

The special needs transportation sector is a critical component of the broader healthcare and social services industry. This contract falls within the specialized transportation services market, which is often characterized by specific regulatory requirements, specialized vehicles, and trained personnel. While the overall market size for specialized transportation is substantial, individual contracts like this one are often niche. Benchmarking against similar VA contracts for specialized transport would be ideal, but such data is not readily available, making direct comparisons challenging.

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. The award to 'ONE LIFE TRANSPORTATION LLC' does not provide sufficient information to determine its size status. The lack of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to compete for or participate in this specific contract were not prioritized through this procurement vehicle.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracting officers and program managers responsible for the San Diego VA Medical Center. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services for an agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award and the lack of publicly available performance data. The VA Office of Inspector General may conduct audits or investigations if specific concerns regarding waste, fraud, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Care Transportation Services
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Specialized Transportation Services
Veteran Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Limited performance data available
Potential for higher costs due to non-competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.0 million to ONE LIFE TRANSPORTATION LLC. BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORTATION SVC AT SAN DIEGO VA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ONE LIFE TRANSPORTATION 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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-29. End: 2026-03-06.

What is the track record of ONE LIFE TRANSPORTATION LLC in providing specialized transportation services, particularly for government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of ONE LIFE TRANSPORTATION LLC in providing specialized transportation services, especially for government contracts, is not readily available in the provided data. As this was a sole-source award, the agency likely conducted some level of due diligence on the contractor's capabilities. However, without access to past performance reviews, contract history databases, or public records detailing their experience, it is difficult to independently assess their reliability, quality of service, and capacity to meet the demands of this contract. Further investigation into federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems would be necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of their past performance.

How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to similar specialized transportation contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies?

Calculating a precise per-day cost requires dividing the total contract value by the number of contract days. For this contract, the total value is $1,978,970 over 281 days, resulting in approximately $7,043 per day. Benchmarking this figure against similar specialized transportation contracts is challenging due to the unique nature of 'wheelchair transportation services at San Diego VA' and the sole-source award. Typically, competitive contracts for specialized medical transport can vary widely based on geographic location, service level, vehicle type, and patient needs. Without comparable data from competitively bid contracts for similar services, it's difficult to definitively state whether $7,043 per day represents a fair market price or an anomaly. The absence of competition inherently limits the ability to perform a robust value comparison.

What specific risks are associated with a sole-source award for essential veteran transportation services?

A primary risk associated with a sole-source award for essential veteran transportation services is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without multiple vendors vying for the contract, the agency may not achieve the most favorable pricing. Another risk is reduced incentive for the sole provider to innovate or enhance service quality, as there is no direct competition to spur such improvements. Furthermore, if the sole-source contractor experiences operational issues, such as vehicle breakdowns or staffing shortages, there may be limited immediate alternative providers available to step in, potentially disrupting critical services for veterans. This also raises concerns about the agency's due diligence in ensuring no other qualified vendors could have met the need.

What are the potential implications for service quality and veteran satisfaction given the contract's structure and award method?

The implications for service quality and veteran satisfaction are mixed. On one hand, the contract addresses a critical need for specialized transportation, which is vital for veteran access to healthcare and daily life. The firm-fixed-price structure provides a clear budget, and the duration suggests a commitment to consistent service. However, the sole-source award method introduces a risk. Without competitive pressure, the contractor might have less incentive to go above and beyond in terms of service quality or responsiveness, potentially impacting veteran satisfaction. The effectiveness of oversight by the VA will be crucial in ensuring that the contractor meets all service level agreements and maintains high standards of care and reliability for the veterans relying on these services.

How does this contract's spending compare to historical VA spending on similar transportation services in the San Diego region?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar transportation services in the San Diego region by the VA is crucial for context but is not directly provided in the data. The current contract is valued at approximately $1.98 million for a period of 281 days (roughly 9 months). To compare, one would need to examine previous contracts for wheelchair or special needs transportation services awarded by the San Diego VA or surrounding VA facilities. Factors such as inflation, changes in service scope, and the number of veterans requiring these services over time would influence historical spending. Without this historical data, it's challenging to determine if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these essential services for the region.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C26225P1246

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2525 RAMONA DR, VISTA, CA, 92084

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,208,406

Exercised Options: $2,208,406

Current Obligation: $1,978,970

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline