HHS awarded $143K contract for physician services in North Dakota, completed in 33 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $143,419 ($143.4K)

Contractor: AB Staffing Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2020-06-28

End Date: 2020-07-31

Contract Duration: 33 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: ED JULY TO

Place of Performance

Location: FORT YATES, SIOUX County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58538

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $143,419.19 to AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: ED JULY TO Key points: 1. The contract value appears modest given the short duration, suggesting a focused scope of work. 2. Limited contract duration may indicate a need for interim or specialized support rather than long-term staffing. 3. The fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and risk allocation to the contractor. 4. The absence of small business set-aside flags warrants review to ensure fair opportunity. 5. Geographic focus on North Dakota highlights specific regional healthcare needs. 6. The NAICS code 621111 points to direct patient care services by physicians.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $143,419.19 for a 33-day period is difficult to benchmark without more context on the specific services rendered and the number of physicians involved. However, the average daily cost is approximately $4,346. This rate needs to be compared against prevailing rates for physician services in North Dakota during the contract period. Given the short duration, it's possible this represents a high-demand, specialized need or an emergency staffing situation, which could justify a higher per-diem rate.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $4,346 per day, which requires further benchmarking against market rates for similar physician services in the specified region and timeframe.

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. The data does not specify the number of bids received, which is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the competition. A robust competition typically leads to better pricing and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve service quality.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include patients of the Indian Health Service in North Dakota requiring physician services. Services delivered likely involved direct medical care and consultation by physicians. The geographic impact is concentrated within North Dakota, addressing local healthcare access. Workforce implications include the provision of physician staffing, potentially filling temporary gaps.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detail on the number of bids received under full and open competition limits assessment of price discovery.
The short duration of the contract raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the services provided.
No information is provided on whether small businesses were subcontracted, impacting the small business ecosystem.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a commitment to broad market engagement.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract addresses a specific healthcare need within the Indian Health Service.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, specifically physician services, is a critical component of the U.S. healthcare system. The NAICS code 621111 covers offices of physicians (except mental health specialists). Spending in this area is substantial, driven by demand for medical expertise across various specialties and settings, including federal agencies like the Indian Health Service. Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparison with similar physician staffing contracts, considering factors like specialty, location, and duration.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While awarded under full and open competition, it is important to understand if opportunities for small business subcontracting were explored or mandated. The absence of explicit small business participation metrics means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, and further investigation into subcontracting plans would be beneficial.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the Indian Health Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services as agreed. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, but detailed performance reports and Inspector General reviews would provide deeper insights into the contract's execution and value.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Contracts
Physician Staffing Contracts
Healthcare Services for Federal Agencies
North Dakota Healthcare Spending

Risk Flags

Limited duration may indicate a temporary need, requiring further investigation into ongoing requirements.
Lack of detail on competition effectiveness (number of bidders) hinders full assessment of value.
No explicit mention of small business subcontracting requires verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $143,419.19 to AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC. ED JULY TO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC.

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 $143,419.19.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-28. End: 2020-07-31.

What was the specific scope of physician services required under this contract, and how many physicians were engaged?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)' under NAICS code 621111. However, the specific services rendered and the number of physicians engaged are not detailed. Given the contract value of $143,419.19 and a duration of 33 days, it's plausible that this contract supported a small team of physicians or covered a specific, limited set of medical duties. To provide a more precise answer, access to the contract's statement of work (SOW) or task orders would be necessary. This would clarify whether the services were for general practice, specialized care, or diagnostic support within an IHS facility in North Dakota.

How does the approximate daily cost of $4,346 compare to market rates for similar physician services in North Dakota during 2020?

The approximate daily cost of $4,346 per day for physician services is a significant figure that requires careful benchmarking. During 2020, physician reimbursement rates varied widely based on specialty, experience, and geographic location. For North Dakota, a state with specific healthcare needs and potentially different market dynamics than major metropolitan areas, this rate could be considered high or reasonable depending on the context. Without knowing the specific physician specialty (e.g., primary care, surgeon, pediatrician) and the exact location within North Dakota, a definitive comparison is challenging. However, this daily rate suggests a need to verify if it aligns with established Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement schedules or average salaries for physicians in similar roles and regions, adjusted for contract overhead and profit.

What was the track record of AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC with federal contracts prior to or during this period?

Information on AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC's track record with federal contracts prior to or during the period of this award (July 2020) is not directly available in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would require searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG for their contract history. Key aspects to investigate would include the types of services they have provided, their performance ratings on past contracts, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and their overall experience with government agencies, particularly the Department of Health and Human Services. Understanding their past performance is crucial for evaluating the risk associated with awarding them this contract.

What were the specific performance metrics or outcomes expected from this contract, and were they met?

The provided data does not include details on the specific performance metrics or expected outcomes for this contract. As a fixed-price contract, the primary expectation is the delivery of the defined physician services within the agreed-upon timeframe (July 28, 2020, to July 31, 2020). Performance would likely be assessed based on the availability of physicians, the quality of care provided (adherence to medical standards), and patient satisfaction, if applicable. Without access to the contract's statement of work, inspection reports, or final acceptance documentation, it is impossible to determine if all performance expectations were met. Further review of contract close-out documentation would be necessary.

How does this contract's value and duration compare to other physician staffing contracts awarded by the Indian Health Service in North Dakota?

Comparing this $143,419.19 contract, awarded for 33 days, to other IHS physician staffing contracts in North Dakota requires access to historical procurement data specific to the region and agency. Generally, IHS contracts can vary significantly in value and duration, depending on the facility's needs, the type of physician required (e.g., primary care, specialists, locum tenens), and the length of the staffing gap. Short-term, high-value contracts like this one might be common for emergency needs or specialized consultations. Longer-term contracts would typically cover ongoing staffing requirements. A comparative analysis would involve identifying similar contracts awarded by IHS in North Dakota over a relevant period and examining their scope, duration, and total value to establish a clearer benchmark.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2680 S VAL VISTA DR STE 152, GILBERT, AZ, 85295

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $143,419

Exercised Options: $143,419

Current Obligation: $143,419

Actual Outlays: $84,975

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSI241201600004I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline