HHS awards $3.1M for registered nursing services in Montana, with base period at $1M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,023,140 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Dt-Trak Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-09-23

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 250 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: DT TRAK BFSU REGISTERED NURSING SERVICES TASK ORDER BASE PERIOD 10/01/2025 - 01/31/2026 WITH 2 4-MONTH OPTIONS BASE OBLIGATED AMOUNT: $1,001,655.76 AGGREGATE AWARD AMOUNT: $3,064,793.95

Place of Performance

Location: BROWNING, GLACIER County, MONTANA, 59417

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.0 million to DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: DT TRAK BFSU REGISTERED NURSING SERVICES TASK ORDER BASE PERIOD 10/01/2025 - 01/31/2026 WITH 2 4-MONTH OPTIONS BASE OBLIGATED AMOUNT: $1,001,655.76 AGGREGATE AWARD AMOUNT: $3,064,793.95 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC. for temporary help services. 2. The contract has a base period and two 4-month option periods. 3. The aggregate award amount is $3,064,793.95. 4. The base obligated amount is $1,001,655.76. 5. This contract falls under the Temporary Help Services NAICS code (561320). 6. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The aggregate award amount of $3,064,793.95 for registered nursing services over approximately 20 months appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized healthcare staffing. However, without specific details on the number of nurses, hours, or skill levels required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar task orders for nursing services within the Indian Health Service or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for awards below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages multiple offers, suggesting a degree of competition. This approach aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a range of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include patients served by the Indian Health Service in Montana. Services delivered are registered nursing support. Geographic impact is focused on Montana. Workforce implications involve providing temporary nursing staff to the IHS.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess service quality.
Limited transparency on the specific nursing roles and qualifications required.
Potential for increased costs if option periods are exercised without re-evaluation of market rates.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process (SAP).
Clear contract structure with base and option periods.
Focus on a critical healthcare need within the IHS.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector, particularly for specialized roles like registered nurses, is a significant market. Federal agencies like the Indian Health Service often rely on contract support to meet staffing demands, especially in remote or underserved areas. This contract fits within the broader category of temporary staffing and healthcare support services, a market characterized by both large national providers and smaller specialized firms.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services and the Indian Health Service contracting and program offices. The specific task order structure allows for monitoring of performance against requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Contracts
Temporary Nursing Services
Healthcare Staffing Contracts
Federal Healthcare Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep if option periods are exercised without market rate review.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure quality of nursing services.
Limited public information on specific nursing roles and qualifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.0 million to DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC.. DT TRAK BFSU REGISTERED NURSING SERVICES TASK ORDER BASE PERIOD 10/01/2025 - 01/31/2026 WITH 2 4-MONTH OPTIONS BASE OBLIGATED AMOUNT: $1,001,655.76 AGGREGATE AWARD AMOUNT: $3,064,793.95

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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-23. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for registered nursing services by the Indian Health Service in Montana?

Analyzing historical spending for registered nursing services by the Indian Health Service (IHS) in Montana is crucial for context. While this specific award is for $3.1 million over its potential duration, understanding past expenditures can reveal trends, identify potential cost increases, and highlight reliance on contract nursing. Without direct historical data for this specific task order or region, we can infer that IHS often faces staffing challenges, particularly in rural areas, leading to consistent or increasing needs for contract nursing support. Comparing the current award amount to previous contracts for similar services in the region, adjusted for inflation and scope, would provide a benchmark for assessing whether this award represents a fair market price and a sustainable spending level.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar registered nursing service contracts awarded by federal agencies?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $3.1 million registered nursing services contract against similar federal awards is essential for evaluating value for money. Factors such as the number of nursing hours, specific skill sets (e.g., RNs, LPNs, specialized units), geographic location (which impacts cost of living and labor availability), and contract duration all influence per-unit costs. Contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs or other components of HHS for nursing services in comparable regions or with similar scope could serve as benchmarks. If this contract's average hourly rate or daily rate significantly deviates from established benchmarks, it could indicate either an exceptional deal for the government or potentially inflated pricing that warrants further investigation into the competition and contractor's cost structure.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this registered nursing services contract?

The success of this registered nursing services contract hinges on clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with the Indian Health Service's mission. While not detailed in the provided data, typical KPIs for such contracts would include metrics related to nurse availability and fill rates (e.g., percentage of shifts covered), adherence to patient care standards, patient satisfaction scores, compliance with safety protocols, and timely reporting. The contract's performance period and option structure suggest a need for consistent service delivery. Evaluating the contractor's performance against these KPIs would inform decisions about exercising option periods and ensure that taxpayer funds are yielding effective healthcare outcomes for the intended patient population.

What is the track record of DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC. in performing similar federal healthcare staffing contracts?

Assessing the track record of DT-TRAK CONSULTING, INC. is vital for understanding the potential risks and reliability associated with this contract. Information on past performance, including contract history with federal agencies, types of services provided, contract values, and any documented performance issues or commendations, would be invaluable. Specifically, examining their experience with registered nursing services, particularly within the Indian Health Service or similar tribal health organizations, would provide the most relevant insight. A history of successful contract completion, positive past performance reviews, and demonstrated ability to meet staffing needs on time and within budget would increase confidence in their ability to fulfill the current requirement. Conversely, a record of performance deficiencies or contract disputes might signal potential risks.

What is the potential impact of exercising the option periods on the overall cost and duration of this contract?

Exercising the option periods for this contract extends its duration and increases the total potential cost. The base period obligates $1,001,655.76, and the aggregate award amount is $3,064,793.95, suggesting that the two 4-month option periods, if exercised, could add approximately $2,063,138.19 to the total contract value. This extension allows for continuity of services but also requires careful consideration. The government should evaluate the continued need for these services, the contractor's performance during the base period, and prevailing market rates before exercising options. Unfavorable market shifts or performance issues could make exercising options less advantageous than re-competing the requirement.

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

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: $4,086,279

Exercised Options: $2,023,140

Current Obligation: $2,023,140

Actual Outlays: $935,646

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75H70923D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline