FEMA awards $1.7M for health unit nurses to Spectrum Healthcare Resources, Inc. to support DR-4724-HI

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $170,900 ($170.9K)

Contractor: Spectrum Healthcare Resources, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-08-15

End Date: 2023-11-14

Contract Duration: 91 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: HEALTH UNIT NURSE IN SUPPORT OF DR-4724-HI.

Place of Performance

Location: WAILUKU, MAUI County, HAWAII, 96793

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $170,900.17 to SPECTRUM HEALTHCARE RESOURCES, INC for work described as: HEALTH UNIT NURSE IN SUPPORT OF DR-4724-HI. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized temporary health services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration is short-term, indicating a specific, immediate need. 4. The award is a BPA Call, suggesting it leverages an existing agreement. 5. Fixed-price contract type helps control costs and manage budget. 6. The service is for temporary nursing support, not permanent staffing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.7M for a 91-day period for temporary nursing support seems aligned with market rates for specialized healthcare staffing during emergencies. While direct comparisons are difficult without more granular data on nurse specialties and hours, the fixed-price nature provides cost certainty. The award amount is within the expected range for such services, especially considering the rapid deployment needs often associated with disaster relief operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition suggests a robust process was followed to solicit proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a wider pool of bidders vying for the contract.

Public Impact

Provides essential nursing services to support disaster relief operations in Hawaii (DR-4724-HI). Ensures adequate healthcare staffing is available during critical response periods. Benefits residents and individuals affected by the disaster in Hawaii. Supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) mission in disaster response and recovery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on temporary staff impacting long-term healthcare resilience.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure quality of care from temporary nurses.
Ensuring seamless integration of temporary staff with existing response teams.

Positive Signals

Addresses immediate, critical staffing needs during a declared disaster.
Utilizes a competitive bidding process to secure services.
Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector is characterized by high demand for skilled professionals, particularly during emergencies. This contract falls within the temporary help services sub-sector, which is crucial for organizations needing to scale their workforce rapidly. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous providers capable of deploying specialized personnel. FEMA's use of such contracts is typical for augmenting its response capabilities during disaster events.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no information on subcontracting. Given the nature of the award (BPA Call) and the specialized services required, it's possible that larger, established healthcare staffing firms were best positioned to respond. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had a meaningful opportunity to participate or subcontract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has established oversight mechanisms for disaster response contracts. Performance will likely be monitored through regular reporting and adherence to the terms of the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics and IG oversight details are not provided in this data.

Related Government Programs

Disaster Relief Operations
Emergency Healthcare Staffing
Temporary Staffing Services
Federal Emergency Management Agency Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for staff turnover impacting service continuity.
Need for robust quality assurance for temporary medical personnel.
Ensuring compliance with all relevant healthcare regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $170,900.17 to SPECTRUM HEALTHCARE RESOURCES, INC. HEALTH UNIT NURSE IN SUPPORT OF DR-4724-HI.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SPECTRUM HEALTHCARE RESOURCES, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $170,900.17.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-15. End: 2023-11-14.

What is the track record of Spectrum Healthcare Resources, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts, particularly in disaster response?

Spectrum Healthcare Resources, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily within the healthcare staffing domain. Their experience often includes providing medical personnel to various government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. While specific details on their performance in disaster response for FEMA are not immediately available from this data alone, their general profile suggests they are a capable provider of temporary medical staffing. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record in this specific context. Their ability to secure this BPA call indicates a level of trust and established relationship with federal procurement systems.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar temporary nursing contracts awarded by FEMA or other federal agencies for disaster relief?

Benchmarking this $1.7 million contract for 91 days requires comparing it against similar temporary nursing support contracts during disaster events. Factors such as the specific nursing roles (e.g., RNs, LPNs, specialized nurses), geographic location, duration, and the scale of the disaster significantly influence pricing. Generally, disaster response staffing commands premium rates due to the urgency, potential hazards, and logistical challenges involved. Without access to a database of comparable FEMA disaster relief nursing contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature and the competitive bidding process suggest FEMA aimed to secure services at a reasonable market rate, considering the extraordinary circumstances.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential quality-of-care issues from temporary staff, difficulties in integrating temporary nurses with existing response teams, and the possibility of cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond initial projections, despite the fixed-price structure. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous vetting of personnel by Spectrum Healthcare Resources, Inc., clear performance standards and oversight by FEMA, and defined protocols for deployment and supervision. The short duration of the contract also inherently limits some long-term risks. FEMA's oversight and the contractor's established processes are crucial for managing these potential challenges effectively.

What is the expected effectiveness of these temporary nurses in supporting the specific disaster relief mission (DR-4724-HI)?

The effectiveness of these temporary nurses is expected to be high in addressing the immediate staffing gaps identified by FEMA for disaster relief in Hawaii. Their role is to supplement existing healthcare capabilities, ensuring that affected populations receive necessary medical attention during the response and initial recovery phases. The success will depend on the nurses' qualifications, their ability to adapt to the specific needs of the disaster area, and the coordination provided by FEMA and local health authorities. As this is a support function, their effectiveness is measured by their contribution to the overall success of the disaster response operations and the continuity of essential health services.

How does historical spending on temporary healthcare staffing by FEMA compare to this award?

FEMA's spending on temporary healthcare staffing can fluctuate significantly year-to-year, heavily influenced by the number and severity of declared disasters. During major hurricane seasons or other widespread events, FEMA's expenditure on medical personnel and related support services can increase substantially. This $1.7 million award for a specific event in Hawaii represents a portion of FEMA's overall budget allocated for disaster response. To assess historical trends, one would need to analyze FEMA's budget allocations and actual expenditures for temporary staffing over several fiscal years, correlating spending with major disaster declarations and the duration of response efforts.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12647 OLIVE BLVD STE 600, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63141

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $170,900

Exercised Options: $170,900

Current Obligation: $170,900

Actual Outlays: $170,900

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA4021A00000006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline