VA awards $809K for ambulance services in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a 365-day performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $80,945 ($80.9K)

Contractor: Paramedics Logistics South Dakota LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-07-01

End Date: 2024-06-30

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $222/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: IDIQ CONTRACT FOR GROUND AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SIOUX FALLS VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 07-01-2019 TO 06-30-2024

Place of Performance

Location: SIOUX FALLS, MINNEHAHA County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57105

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $80,944.53 to PARAMEDICS LOGISTICS SOUTH DAKOTA LLC for work described as: IDIQ CONTRACT FOR GROUND AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SIOUX FALLS VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 07-01-2019 TO 06-30-2024 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Paramedics Logistics South Dakota LLC for ground ambulance transport. 2. The contract has a firm-fixed-price structure, indicating predictable costs. 3. Performance period runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. 4. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 5. This award falls under the Ambulance Services NAICS code. 6. The contract is a delivery order under an IDIQ contract. 7. The total award amount is $809,445.53.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $809,445.53 for a one-year period of performance appears reasonable for specialized ambulance services in a specific geographic region. Benchmarking against similar contracts for ambulance services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost predictability for the VA.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for smaller dollar value procurements. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP aims to foster competition. The use of SAP suggests the agency sought competitive offers within the established thresholds for this type of procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to submit proposals, driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Veterans in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area will benefit from reliable ground ambulance transport services. The services delivered are critical for emergency medical response and patient transportation. The geographic impact is focused on Sioux Falls and surrounding areas within the VA Health Care System's service region. This contract supports local employment within the emergency medical services sector in South Dakota.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits a full assessment of competitive intensity.
No information provided on performance metrics or quality assurance measures beyond the service description.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded under a competitive procedure (SAP), suggesting potential for good value.
Clear period of performance and service description.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, specifically emergency medical services, is a critical component of the VA's mission to provide comprehensive care to veterans. Ambulance services are a vital part of this ecosystem, ensuring timely access to care. Spending in this area is driven by the need for reliable, on-demand medical transport, often in partnership with local providers. The market for these services is typically localized, with contracts awarded based on geographic service areas and specific healthcare system needs.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided for this contract. As the contract was competed under SAP, it's possible that small businesses were encouraged to participate, but without specific set-aside designations, their direct involvement as the prime contractor is not confirmed. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were leveraged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits or investigations if performance issues or financial irregularities arise. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are not always publicly available.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Services Contracts
Emergency Medical Services Procurement
Healthcare Transportation Services
IDIQ Contracts for Medical Support

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if performance standards are not met.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics and quality assurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $80,944.53 to PARAMEDICS LOGISTICS SOUTH DAKOTA LLC. IDIQ CONTRACT FOR GROUND AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SIOUX FALLS VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 07-01-2019 TO 06-30-2024

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PARAMEDICS LOGISTICS SOUTH DAKOTA 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 $80,944.53.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-01. End: 2024-06-30.

What is the track record of Paramedics Logistics South Dakota LLC with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Paramedics Logistics South Dakota LLC with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to identify past performance, contract history, and any reported issues or successes. This would include examining previous awards, contract values, and performance evaluations to assess their reliability and experience in delivering similar services.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar ambulance service contracts?

The awarded amount of $809,445.53 for a one-year period of performance for ground ambulance transport services in Sioux Falls, SD, needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts. Factors such as geographic location, population density, service level agreements (e.g., response times, types of vehicles), and the specific needs of the VA facility influence pricing. Without access to a database of similar VA or other federal ambulance contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a single-year contract of this nature, the value appears within a reasonable range for specialized medical transport.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential service disruptions if the contractor fails to meet performance standards, such as response times or vehicle availability. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price model proves inadequate for unforeseen operational challenges, though this is mitigated by the pricing structure. Another risk could be the availability of qualified personnel by the contractor, impacting service quality. Ensuring compliance with VA healthcare regulations and maintaining patient safety are also critical risk areas.

How effective is this contract in meeting the VA's need for ambulance services in Sioux Falls?

The effectiveness of this contract in meeting the VA's needs hinges on the contractor's ability to consistently provide timely and reliable ambulance services as stipulated in the contract. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as response times, patient transport success rates, and patient satisfaction would be crucial metrics. Assuming the contractor meets these performance requirements, the contract is effective in ensuring veterans in the Sioux Falls area have access to necessary medical transportation. The VA's ongoing monitoring and potential for contract modifications or termination for default serve as mechanisms to ensure effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for ambulance services at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System?

Historical spending patterns for ambulance services at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System are not detailed in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to review past contract awards for similar services at this specific facility over several fiscal years. Analyzing trends in contract values, durations, and awarded contractors would reveal whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing. This historical context is vital for understanding the long-term budgetary commitment and the stability of service provision.

What is the potential impact of this contract on local healthcare infrastructure?

This contract directly supports the local healthcare infrastructure by ensuring a critical service—ambulance transport—is available for veterans served by the Sioux Falls VA. It potentially integrates with or supplements existing local emergency medical services (EMS) infrastructure. The contract provides a revenue stream for the awarded contractor, potentially supporting their operational capacity and workforce in the region. It also signifies the VA's commitment to providing accessible healthcare services within the Sioux Falls community.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 289 GREENWICH AVE STE 2, GREENWICH, CT, 06830

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: $80,945

Exercised Options: $80,945

Current Obligation: $80,945

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C26319D0077

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline