HHS awards $330K contract for X-ray reads at North Dakota facility, serving Native American health needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $329,990 ($330.0K)

Contractor: Trinity Health

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-08-04

End Date: 2024-08-31

Contract Duration: 393 days

Daily Burn Rate: $840/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR X- RAY READS AT THE QUENTIN N BURDICK MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FACILITY COR RICHARD MARTELL POC YVETTE WALLETTE POP 09/30/2023 TO 08/31/2024

Place of Performance

Location: BELCOURT, ROLETTE County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58316

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $329,990 to TRINITY HEALTH for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR X- RAY READS AT THE QUENTIN N BURDICK MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FACILITY COR RICHARD MARTELL POC YVETTE WALLETTE POP 09/30/2023 TO 08/31/2024 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential diagnostic imaging services, supporting the Indian Health Service's mission. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the duration of the task order. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding environment. 4. The contract duration is approximately one year, aligning with annual healthcare service needs. 5. The service category, Diagnostic Imaging Centers, is critical for patient care and diagnosis. 6. Geographic focus on North Dakota highlights specific regional healthcare support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $330,000 for a year of X-ray reading services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of diagnostic imaging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for remote or facility-based radiology services would provide a more precise value assessment. However, for a single healthcare facility, this amount suggests a focused scope of work rather than a large-scale regional contract. The firm-fixed-price type helps in predictable budgeting.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality for the government. The IHS utilized a standard competitive process to solicit proposals for these essential radiology services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market price, preventing potential overspending associated with less competitive or sole-source awards.

Public Impact

Native American patients at the Quentin N Burdick Memorial Healthcare Facility will benefit from timely and accurate X-ray interpretations. Essential diagnostic imaging services, crucial for diagnosing a wide range of medical conditions, will be delivered. The geographic impact is concentrated in North Dakota, addressing specific healthcare needs of the region's population. The contract supports the operational capacity of the Indian Health Service to provide comprehensive medical care.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited local economic impact if the contractor is not based in North Dakota.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Ensures continuity of care for patients requiring diagnostic imaging.
Utilizes a competitive process to secure services, potentially leading to cost efficiencies.
Supports the IHS mission of providing healthcare to Native Americans.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly diagnostic imaging, is a vital component of the U.S. healthcare system. This contract falls within the broader category of healthcare support services. Spending in this area is driven by patient volume, technological advancements in imaging, and the need for specialized interpretation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within federal healthcare procurement data for radiology and imaging services, often varying by geographic location and facility size.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses in their supply chain. Further review of the contract's subcontracting plan, if applicable, would be needed for a definitive assessment.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the Indian Health Service. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance standards and delivery terms. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. The Inspector General for HHS may have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if performance or financial irregularities are suspected.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service (IHS) Medical Services Contracts
Federal Healthcare Services Procurement
Diagnostic Imaging Services Contracts
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Task Orders

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor's radiologists are not readily available or timely.
Risk of quality control lapses in diagnostic interpretations.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical healthcare service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $329,990 to TRINITY HEALTH. TASK ORDER FOR X- RAY READS AT THE QUENTIN N BURDICK MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FACILITY COR RICHARD MARTELL POC YVETTE WALLETTE POP 09/30/2023 TO 08/31/2024

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRINITY HEALTH.

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 $329,990.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-04. End: 2024-08-31.

What is the track record of Trinity Health in providing similar diagnostic imaging services to federal agencies?

Assessing Trinity Health's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving diagnostic imaging or radiology services for agencies like the IHS or Department of Veterans Affairs. Information on past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, or awards for similar services would be crucial. Without specific data on their federal contract history, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and expertise in this domain. A thorough analysis would involve searching federal contract databases (e.g., FPDS, SAM.gov) for relevant past performance information and any associated performance metrics or feedback.

How does the $330,000 value compare to similar X-ray reading contracts awarded by the IHS or other federal healthcare providers?

Benchmarking this $330,000 contract requires comparing it against similar task orders for diagnostic imaging services, specifically X-ray reads, awarded by the Indian Health Service (IHS) or other federal healthcare entities (like the VA or military hospitals) within the same geographic region or for facilities of comparable size. Factors influencing cost include the volume of reads, complexity of cases, turnaround time requirements, and the specific technology used. A preliminary assessment suggests this value is moderate for a year's service at a single facility, but a detailed comparison with publicly available contract data would be necessary to determine if it represents excellent, fair, or questionable value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential delays in report turnaround times impacting patient care, quality control issues with X-ray interpretations, and contractor performance failures. Given it's a firm-fixed-price contract, the risk of cost overruns for the government is low, but the contractor bears the risk of underestimating workload. Mitigation strategies likely include performance standards within the contract, clear communication protocols between the facility and the contractor, and the government's right to inspect services. The IHS would also monitor performance metrics and have remedies for non-performance.

How effective is the Indian Health Service in ensuring adequate diagnostic imaging services through such contracts?

The effectiveness of the IHS in ensuring adequate diagnostic imaging services hinges on several factors, including the adequacy of funding, the competitiveness of the procurement process, and the robustness of contract oversight. Full and open competition, as seen here, generally promotes effectiveness by allowing multiple vendors to compete, potentially leading to better service and pricing. However, the specific effectiveness relies on the chosen contractor's performance, the clarity of contract requirements, and the IHS's ability to monitor and enforce those requirements. Success is ultimately measured by timely, accurate diagnoses and improved patient outcomes at IHS facilities.

What has been the historical spending pattern for diagnostic imaging services at the Quentin N Burdick Memorial Healthcare Facility?

To determine historical spending patterns for diagnostic imaging at the Quentin N Burdick Memorial Healthcare Facility, one would need to analyze past contract awards specifically for this facility or the IHS service unit it belongs to. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for previous contracts related to radiology, X-ray reads, or diagnostic imaging services awarded over several fiscal years. Understanding this history would reveal trends in spending, contract types (e.g., sole-source vs. competitive), and the incumbent contractors, providing context for the current $330,000 award.

Are there any specific performance metrics or KPIs tied to this contract that indicate success?

Specific performance metrics (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical KPIs for diagnostic imaging services often include turnaround time for report delivery (e.g., within 24 hours for routine reads, faster for STAT reads), accuracy rates of interpretations, radiologist qualifications and credentials, and patient satisfaction scores. The contract likely specifies these or similar metrics, with remedies for failure to meet them. The government's quality assurance personnel would be responsible for monitoring adherence to these KPIs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories › Diagnostic Imaging Centers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL 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: 1 BURDICK EXPRESSWAY W, MINOT, ND, 58701

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $329,990

Exercised Options: $329,990

Current Obligation: $329,990

Actual Outlays: $329,990

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75H70622D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline