HHS awarded $754K for physician services in North Dakota, with a short 31-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $75,438 ($75.4K)

Contractor: AB Staffing Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-04-30

End Date: 2021-05-31

Contract Duration: 31 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: AB ED MAY 2021 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 $75,437.6 to AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: AB ED MAY 2021 TO Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for a short-term, single-state physician staffing need. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The short duration may indicate an urgent or temporary staffing requirement. 4. Performance is tied to physician services, a critical component of healthcare delivery. 5. This contract falls within the broader healthcare sector, specifically physician services. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $754,376 for a 31-day period for physician services in North Dakota appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized staffing. Without specific details on the number of physicians or hours worked, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, given the short timeframe and the critical nature of physician services, the overall award amount suggests a fair market price was likely achieved through the competitive bidding process.

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 bids. This method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality for the government. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but the chosen procurement method suggests a deliberate effort to maximize competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing and terms.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include patients served by the Indian Health Service in North Dakota who will receive physician care. The service delivered is physician services, crucial for maintaining healthcare access. The geographic impact is focused on North Dakota, specifically serving the IHS facilities in the state. Workforce implications include the provision of temporary or contracted physician staffing to meet demand.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration (31 days) may indicate a lack of long-term planning or potential instability in staffing.
Limited information on the specific qualifications or experience of the awarded contractor, AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC.
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it might be a small part of a larger, potentially less transparent, IDIQ contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes fair pricing and access for qualified vendors.
The contract addresses a critical need for physician services, ensuring continuity of care.
The fixed-price contract type (FIRM FIXED PRICE) helps the government manage costs and budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically the sub-sector of physician staffing services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621111, 'Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists),' is relevant here. The market for healthcare staffing is substantial, driven by ongoing demand for medical professionals. This contract represents a small but vital component of federal healthcare spending aimed at ensuring service delivery in specific geographic areas.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, this award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

As a delivery order issued under a larger contract, oversight would depend on the terms of the base contract and the agency's administration of delivery orders. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) are responsible for oversight. Transparency is generally enhanced by the 'full and open competition' award, but specific performance monitoring details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Contracts
Physician Staffing Contracts
Healthcare Services Contracts
Federal Delivery Orders

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate potential instability or lack of long-term planning.
Limited data on contractor's past performance.
Potential for higher costs due to urgency associated with short-term needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $75,437.6 to AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC. AB ED MAY 2021 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 $75,437.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-30. End: 2021-05-31.

What is the track record of AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for physician services?

Information regarding the specific track record of AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC for federal contracts, especially for physician services, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive review would require accessing the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases to analyze past performance, contract types, values, and any reported issues or successes. Without this historical data, it's difficult to assess their reliability and experience in fulfilling similar government requirements. Further investigation into their past performance ratings and any contract modifications or disputes would be necessary for a complete assessment.

How does the awarded amount of $754,376 for 31 days of physician services compare to similar contracts for IHS in North Dakota?

Comparing this contract's value requires benchmarking against similar physician staffing contracts awarded by the Indian Health Service (IHS) in North Dakota or comparable rural/tribal health settings. The provided data indicates a total award of $754,376 for a 31-day period. To assess value, one would need to normalize this by the number of physicians, hours worked, or specific medical specialties provided. For instance, if this covered one physician working full-time for the month, the effective hourly rate could be calculated and compared to market rates or other IHS contracts. Without these granular details, a precise comparison is challenging, but the short duration suggests a potentially high daily or hourly rate to meet an urgent need.

What are the primary risks associated with a short-duration contract like this for essential physician services?

The primary risks associated with a short-duration contract (31 days) for essential physician services include potential disruption of care if staffing is not seamlessly transitioned, increased costs due to the urgency of the need, and the possibility that the contractor may not fully integrate with the existing healthcare team or protocols. There's also a risk that the short timeframe might not allow for adequate vetting of the provider's qualifications or cultural competency, which is particularly important in IHS settings. Furthermore, if this is a stop-gap measure, it could indicate underlying systemic issues with long-term staffing at the facility, which this contract alone cannot solve.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' strategy in ensuring cost-effectiveness for specialized healthcare staffing needs?

Full and open competition is generally considered an effective strategy for ensuring cost-effectiveness as it allows the government to solicit bids from all qualified sources, thereby fostering a competitive environment. This competition typically drives down prices and encourages vendors to offer the best possible value. For specialized healthcare staffing, this approach can be particularly beneficial by attracting a wider pool of providers and potentially uncovering innovative or more efficient service delivery models. However, the effectiveness is contingent on the clarity of the solicitation, the realism of the requirements, and the agency's ability to properly evaluate the proposals received.

What are the historical spending patterns for physician services by the Indian Health Service in North Dakota?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for physician services by the Indian Health Service (IHS) in North Dakota would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, durations, types of services procured (e.g., primary care, specialists), and the primary contractors utilized. Understanding these patterns can help identify whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or fluctuating, and whether reliance on short-term contracts like this one is a recurring issue. Such analysis could highlight potential budget predictability challenges or areas where long-term staffing solutions might be more cost-effective than repeated short-term awards.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded as a 'Delivery Order'?

The designation of this contract as a 'Delivery Order' signifies that it was issued under a pre-existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar master agreement. This implies that the foundational terms, conditions, and pricing structures were likely established previously, possibly through a separate competitive process for the base IDIQ contract. Delivery orders are typically used to procure specific quantities of supplies or services at defined times and prices. While this can streamline the procurement process for recurring needs, it also means that the competition and oversight specific to this particular order might be less extensive than for a standalone, newly competed contract.

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: $75,438

Exercised Options: $75,438

Current Obligation: $75,438

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSI241201600004I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline