HHS awards $3.4M contract for inpatient services to Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, spanning over 1800 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,434,708 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2019-12-23

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,835 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: OMAHA BENEFICIARIES ED AND INPATIENT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WINNEBAGO, THURSTON County, NEBRASKA, 68071

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.4 million to WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA for work described as: OMAHA BENEFICIARIES ED AND INPATIENT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the extended duration and scope of inpatient services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's long duration (over 5 years) may present risks related to changing healthcare needs and costs. 4. Performance is tied to providing essential inpatient services, indicating a critical public health function. 5. This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically supporting hospital services. 6. The award to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska highlights support for tribal healthcare initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.4 million over approximately five years averages to roughly $680,000 per year. This figure seems within a reasonable range for comprehensive inpatient services, especially considering the specialized nature of care often required. Benchmarking against similar contracts for tribal healthcare providers or general inpatient services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the initial estimate does not raise immediate red flags.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, there were specific reasons for excluding certain potential sources. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but the 'after exclusion' clause suggests a potentially narrower field than a purely 'full and open' competition. This could impact the intensity of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of 'after exclusion of sources' might limit the number of competitive bids received, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing than a completely unrestricted competition. However, the 'full and open' aspect suggests an effort to solicit multiple offers.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include members of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, ensuring access to vital healthcare. Services delivered are inpatient care, addressing acute medical and surgical needs. Geographic impact is focused on Nebraska, serving the healthcare needs of the local tribal community. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for healthcare professionals within the tribe's service area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 5 years) could lead to cost overruns if needs or market rates change significantly.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in competition warrants further investigation into the rationale and impact on pricing.
Dependence on a single provider for essential inpatient services carries inherent risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarding to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska directly supports tribal self-determination in healthcare.
The contract addresses critical inpatient needs, ensuring continuity of care for beneficiaries.
The use of 'full and open competition' (even with exclusions) indicates an attempt to secure competitive offers.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly within the Indian Health Service (IHS) domain, focuses on providing medical services to Native American populations. Contracts like this are crucial for fulfilling the federal government's trust responsibility. The NAICS code 622110 (General Medical and Surgical Hospitals) indicates the type of facility involved. Spending in this area is often driven by specific health needs assessments and the availability of qualified providers, with a significant portion dedicated to ensuring access to care for underserved communities.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The focus is on a direct award for essential services, rather than a mechanism to broadly engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Indian Health Service (IHS) division within HHS. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Contracts
Tribal Healthcare Programs
Inpatient Hospital Services
Medicare/Medicaid Reimbursement Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase cost risk.
Competition level ('after exclusion') warrants scrutiny for potential impact on pricing.
Dependence on a single provider for critical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.4 million to WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA. OMAHA BENEFICIARIES ED AND INPATIENT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-12-23. End: 2024-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for inpatient services provided by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska to the IHS?

Analyzing historical spending requires accessing contract databases over multiple years. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to provide a precise pattern. However, contracts for tribal healthcare providers often reflect ongoing needs for services like those outlined. The current award of $3.4M over five years suggests a consistent, long-term requirement for these services. Trends might show fluctuations based on health needs assessments, changes in federal funding allocations, or the availability of alternative providers. A deeper dive into FPDS or similar databases would be necessary to identify specific year-over-year spending and any significant deviations.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar inpatient service contracts awarded by the IHS to other tribal organizations?

A direct comparison of pricing requires identifying contracts with similar scopes of work, patient populations, and service durations awarded to comparable tribal organizations. The provided data does not include specific cost breakdowns or unit prices, making a precise benchmark difficult. However, the average annual cost of approximately $680,000 for comprehensive inpatient services appears reasonable within the context of healthcare provision, especially for specialized tribal health programs. Factors such as geographic location, specific medical equipment needs, and staffing costs can influence pricing. A thorough analysis would involve comparing per diem rates, case rates, or bundled service costs across multiple contracts.

What are the specific performance metrics and quality indicators used to evaluate the contractor's delivery of inpatient services?

The contract likely includes a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) that details specific performance metrics and quality indicators. These typically cover areas such as patient outcomes, wait times, patient satisfaction, adherence to clinical protocols, and infection control rates. For inpatient services, metrics might include readmission rates, average length of stay, mortality rates for specific conditions, and compliance with accreditation standards. The IHS would monitor these metrics through regular reporting, site visits, and potentially patient surveys to ensure the contractor is meeting the required standards of care and service delivery.

What is the potential impact of the 'after exclusion of sources' clause on the overall cost-effectiveness of this contract?

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain potential bidders were deliberately excluded. The impact on cost-effectiveness depends heavily on the reasons for exclusion and the number of remaining eligible bidders. If the exclusions were justified (e.g., based on specialized capabilities or past performance issues with excluded entities) and a sufficient number of qualified bidders remained, the competition could still drive competitive pricing. However, if the exclusions significantly limited the pool of potential offerors, it might reduce competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs than a truly unrestricted competition. Understanding the rationale behind the exclusions is key to assessing this impact.

Are there any identified risks associated with the long duration (1835 days) of this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risks associated with a long contract duration like 1835 days (approximately 5 years) include potential cost increases due to inflation or changes in market rates for services, evolving healthcare needs of the beneficiary population that may not be fully captured in the initial scope, and technological advancements that could render current service delivery methods less efficient. Mitigation strategies often involve incorporating economic price adjustment clauses, periodic reviews of the scope of work and pricing, and clear mechanisms for contract modifications. The government also typically retains the right to terminate the contract for convenience, providing an exit strategy if circumstances change drastically.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 225 S BLUFF ST, WINNEBAGO, NE, 68071

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, Hospital, Native American Tribal Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,434,708

Exercised Options: $3,434,708

Current Obligation: $3,434,708

Actual Outlays: $1,385,400

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline