HHS awards $528K task order for outpatient nurses to Wesley Medical Staffing, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $528,524 ($528.5K)

Contractor: Wesley Medical Staffing, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-06-28

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 186 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FORT PECK SERVICE UNIT: RN TASK-ORDER ISSUED FOR OUTPATIENT NURSES

Place of Performance

Location: POPLAR, ROOSEVELT County, MONTANA, 59255

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $528,524.17 to WESLEY MEDICAL STAFFING, INC. for work described as: FORT PECK SERVICE UNIT: RN TASK-ORDER ISSUED FOR OUTPATIENT NURSES Key points: 1. Value for money assessed against comparable temporary staffing contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award, potentially driving better pricing. 3. Risk indicators include the short duration and specific task order nature. 4. Performance context is within the Indian Health Service's need for temporary medical personnel. 5. Sector positioning is in healthcare staffing, a critical area for government services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $528,524.17 for 186 days of service appears reasonable for specialized nursing support. Benchmarking against similar task orders for temporary RNs within the Indian Health Service or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value assessment. However, given the urgent need often associated with temporary staffing, the pricing is likely competitive within the market for such services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process among eligible vendors. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies that multiple offers were solicited and considered. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP suggests that taxpayer funds were utilized efficiently by allowing market forces to influence pricing, likely resulting in a more cost-effective outcome compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include patients at the Fort Peck Service Unit, receiving essential outpatient nursing care. Services delivered are temporary outpatient nursing support, filling critical staffing gaps. Geographic impact is focused on the Fort Peck Service Unit in Montana. Workforce implications involve supplementing the existing healthcare staff with specialized nursing skills.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration may lead to continuity challenges for patient care.
Reliance on temporary staff can sometimes impact team cohesion and institutional knowledge.
Potential for increased administrative overhead in managing multiple temporary staffing contracts.

Positive Signals

Addresses immediate staffing needs, ensuring continuity of essential healthcare services.
Brings in specialized skills that may be in short supply locally.
Competitive bidding process likely secured favorable pricing for the services.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector is a significant component of federal spending, particularly for agencies like the Indian Health Service (IHS) that serve specific populations. The market for temporary medical staffing is robust, with numerous providers competing for government contracts. This contract fits within the broader category of healthcare support services, where agencies often utilize temporary solutions to manage fluctuating demand, staff shortages, or specialized needs. Comparable spending benchmarks for temporary nursing services can vary widely based on location, specialty, and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not specify small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Without further information, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on small businesses. However, larger federal contracts often have subcontracting goals, and if Wesley Medical Staffing, Inc. utilizes subcontractors, there could be opportunities for small businesses within the healthcare staffing ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Indian Health Service (IHS). The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) delivery order, which provides cost certainty. Accountability measures would involve monitoring the performance of Wesley Medical Staffing, Inc. against the terms of the task order, including the quality and timeliness of nursing services provided. Transparency is facilitated by federal contract databases where such awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Staffing Contracts
Temporary Healthcare Personnel Services
Outpatient Nursing Services
Federal Healthcare Staff Augmentation

Risk Flags

Short-term contract duration
Reliance on temporary staffing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $528,524.17 to WESLEY MEDICAL STAFFING, INC.. FORT PECK SERVICE UNIT: RN TASK-ORDER ISSUED FOR OUTPATIENT NURSES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESLEY MEDICAL STAFFING, 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 $528,524.17.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-28. End: 2024-12-31.

What is the typical duration and cost for similar outpatient nursing task orders issued by the Indian Health Service?

The typical duration and cost for similar outpatient nursing task orders issued by the Indian Health Service can vary significantly based on the specific service unit, the required nursing specialty, and the prevailing market rates in the geographic region. However, task orders for RNs often range from a few months to a year, with costs influenced by factors such as the level of experience required, the intensity of patient care, and the urgency of the staffing need. For instance, a short-term need for general outpatient RNs might cost tens of thousands of dollars per month, while specialized critical care nurses could command higher rates. The $528,524.17 awarded to Wesley Medical Staffing, Inc. for approximately six months of service falls within a plausible range for such specialized temporary healthcare support, especially considering potential rural or remote service locations that can increase staffing costs.

How does Wesley Medical Staffing, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts compare to other temporary healthcare staffing providers?

Assessing Wesley Medical Staffing, Inc.'s track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, including the types of services provided, contract values, and client agencies. Information on their past performance ratings, any contract disputes, or successful completions would be crucial for comparison. Generally, federal agencies maintain performance records for contractors. Comparing these records against other established temporary healthcare staffing providers, such as AMN Healthcare, Cross Country Healthcare, or Aya Healthcare, would reveal differences in experience, scale of operations, and specialization. A strong track record typically involves consistent delivery of quality services, adherence to contract terms, and positive client feedback, which can influence future contract awards and pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on temporary nursing staff for outpatient services at the Fort Peck Service Unit?

The primary risks associated with relying on temporary nursing staff for outpatient services at the Fort Peck Service Unit include potential disruptions in patient care continuity, challenges in integrating temporary staff into existing clinical workflows and team dynamics, and the possibility of higher turnover rates compared to permanent staff. Temporary nurses may have less familiarity with the specific patient population, local protocols, and electronic health record systems, potentially leading to a learning curve that impacts efficiency. Furthermore, there's a risk that the agency may not always secure nurses with the exact specialization or experience required for complex cases. Ensuring adequate credentialing, onboarding, and ongoing supervision is critical to mitigate these risks and maintain the quality of care delivered to the community.

What is the historical spending pattern for temporary nursing services by the Indian Health Service over the last five fiscal years?

Historical spending patterns for temporary nursing services by the Indian Health Service (IHS) over the last five fiscal years likely show a consistent and potentially increasing trend, reflecting ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining permanent nursing staff, particularly in remote or underserved areas. The IHS often relies on contract nurses to fill critical vacancies and ensure the delivery of healthcare services to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on specific staffing shortages, public health emergencies, and the availability of federal funding. Analyzing aggregated data from sources like USAspending.gov or agency budget reports would reveal the total expenditure on temporary nursing contracts, the average duration and value of these contracts, and the primary contractors utilized by the IHS during this period.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation impact the overall cost-effectiveness of this contract compared to other procurement methods?

The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) designation generally enhances cost-effectiveness for contracts valued below the federal micro-purchase threshold (currently $10,000) and above the micro-purchase threshold up to $250,000. For contracts within this range, SAP allows for more streamlined procurement processes, reducing administrative burden and potentially leading to faster award times. Crucially, it mandates competition among a reasonable number of sources. This competition, even if informal compared to full and open competition for larger contracts, drives price discovery and encourages vendors to offer competitive pricing to secure the award. Therefore, for a contract of this nature and value, competing under SAP is an effective method to achieve a balance between administrative efficiency and obtaining fair and reasonable pricing for the government, likely resulting in better value than a sole-source award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 75H709-BAIHS23Q-006

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 HARBOR DR STE 300, SAUSALITO, CA, 94965

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $528,524

Exercised Options: $528,524

Current Obligation: $528,524

Actual Outlays: $528,524

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75H70923D00004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline