HHS awards $6.8M for 6 nurses at Santa Fe Indian Health Center, highlighting critical staffing needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,799,062 ($6.8M)

Contractor: Dt-Trak Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-04-26

End Date: 2027-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: SIX (6) REGISTERED NURSES FOR THE SANTA FE INDIAN HEALTH CENTER.

Place of Performance

Location: SANTA FE, SANTA FE County, NEW MEXICO, 87505

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $6.8 million to DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: SIX (6) REGISTERED NURSES FOR THE SANTA FE INDIAN HEALTH CENTER. Key points: 1. Contract addresses a direct need for healthcare professionals in underserved communities. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. 3. A single award indicates potential limitations in market availability or specific contractor qualifications. 4. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term commitment to staffing the facility. 5. Performance will be key to ensuring consistent and quality care for the patient population. 6. The value appears reasonable given the specialized nature of healthcare staffing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.8 million for six registered nurses over approximately three years appears reasonable when considering the specialized nature of healthcare staffing for federal facilities. Benchmarking against similar contracts for nursing services in remote or underserved areas would provide further context, but the per-nurse annual cost falls within expected ranges for experienced professionals. The firm-fixed-price award type helps manage cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $377,725 per nurse per year, which is competitive for specialized healthcare roles in potentially remote locations.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting that while competition was sought, specific criteria or circumstances led to the exclusion of some potential bidders. The presence of 10 bids indicates a degree of market interest, but the 'exclusion of sources' aspect warrants further investigation to understand if it limited the competitive landscape unnecessarily. This approach can sometimes be used when specific capabilities or existing relationships are deemed essential.

Taxpayer Impact: While competition was present, the exclusion of sources may have limited the number of truly competitive bids, potentially impacting the final price achieved for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include Native American patients served by the Santa Fe Indian Health Center, ensuring continuity of care. Services delivered are critical nursing care, vital for the operational capacity of the health center. Geographic impact is focused on Santa Fe, New Mexico, addressing local healthcare access. Workforce implications involve the direct employment of six registered nurses, potentially filling a critical shortage.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' could lead to higher costs.
Reliance on a single awardee may pose risks if performance issues arise.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across the contract duration is crucial.

Positive Signals

The contract directly addresses a critical healthcare need in an Indian Health Service facility.
Firm-fixed-price award provides budget certainty.
The number of bids (10) suggests some level of market interest despite the competition limitations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically focusing on staffing for a federal Indian Health Service facility. The market for healthcare professionals, particularly registered nurses, is often characterized by high demand and varying supply, influenced by geographic location and specialization. Comparable spending benchmarks for nursing services can vary significantly based on region and facility type, but contracts of this nature are essential for maintaining public health services in targeted communities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC., is likely a larger entity, and the focus is on fulfilling the nursing service requirement rather than promoting small business participation through this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Indian Health Service (IHS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Contract administration and performance monitoring are standard procedures. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov. While specific IG jurisdiction details are not provided, the HHS Office of Inspector General would typically have oversight over HHS contracts to ensure efficiency and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service (IHS) Operations
Federal Healthcare Staffing Contracts
Registered Nurse Services
Purchase Orders
Health Center Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition
Reliance on a single awardee
Ensuring consistent quality of care
Geographic isolation impacting staffing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6.8 million to DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC.. SIX (6) REGISTERED NURSES FOR THE SANTA FE INDIAN HEALTH CENTER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC..

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 $6.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-26. End: 2027-07-31.

What is the track record of DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC. in providing healthcare staffing services, particularly to federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC.'s track record. Key indicators to examine include the number and value of previous contracts, the types of services rendered (specifically nursing and healthcare staffing), client agencies (especially HHS and IHS), and any past performance evaluations or reported issues. Understanding their experience with similar contract scopes, durations, and geographic locations would provide insight into their capability to successfully execute this current award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise in this domain.

How does the per-nurse annual cost compare to market rates for registered nurses in New Mexico or similar rural/underserved areas?

The approximate annual cost per nurse is $377,725. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against average registered nurse salaries and benefits packages in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area, considering factors like experience levels, specialization (if any), and the specific demands of working within an Indian Health Service facility. Market data from healthcare staffing agencies and salary surveys (e.g., Bureau of Labor Statistics) for the region would be essential. If this rate is significantly higher than average market rates, it could indicate a premium for specialized skills, remote location challenges, or potentially less competitive pricing. Conversely, if it aligns with or is below market, it suggests good value.

What specific factors led to the 'exclusion of sources' in this full and open competition, and how did it impact the number of bids received?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' implies that the agency initially intended to compete the requirement broadly but subsequently excluded certain potential sources based on specific criteria. This could be due to requirements for specialized licenses, certifications, unique technical capabilities, or prior experience with specific government systems or patient populations. The agency must justify why these sources were excluded. While 10 bids were received, the exclusion might have prevented other qualified vendors from participating, potentially limiting the diversity of offers and the intensity of competition. Understanding the agency's rationale for exclusion is key to assessing whether it was a necessary step to ensure mission success or an action that inadvertently restricted competition.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the registered nurses under this contract, and how will their performance be measured?

Key performance indicators for registered nurses under this contract would typically focus on clinical quality, patient outcomes, adherence to protocols, timeliness of care, and patient satisfaction. Specific metrics might include patient-to-nurse ratios, infection control rates, medication administration accuracy, documentation completeness, and response times to patient needs. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reviews by a government contracting officer's representative (COR), patient feedback mechanisms, and potentially audits of clinical records. The contract document itself should outline these KPIs and the methods for performance evaluation to ensure accountability and the delivery of high-quality healthcare services.

How does this contract's value and duration compare to previous federal spending on nursing staff at the Santa Fe Indian Health Center or similar IHS facilities?

To provide a comparative analysis, historical spending data for nursing services at the Santa Fe Indian Health Center and comparable IHS facilities would be required. This would involve examining prior contracts, including their values, durations, number of personnel, and the specific services procured. Comparing the current $6.8 million award over approximately three years for six nurses against historical trends would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable. Factors such as inflation, changes in healthcare needs, staffing shortages, and shifts in federal funding priorities could explain any observed variations. Without this historical context, it's challenging to assess if this contract represents a significant change in spending patterns.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Other Health Practitioners › Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › NURSING, NURSING HOME, EVAL/SCREEN

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 75H70724R00002

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 210 N BROADWAY AVE, MILLER, SD, 57362

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,077,187

Exercised Options: $6,799,062

Current Obligation: $6,799,062

Actual Outlays: $1,412,853

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline