HHS awards $2.1M contract for temporary healthcare staffing in Montana, with a 1-year performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,110,368 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Vista Staffing Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-05-09

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 387 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FBSU: TEMPORARY HEALTHCARE STAFFING SERVICES PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 6/01/2025 - 5/31/2026

Place of Performance

Location: HARLEM, BLAINE County, MONTANA, 59526

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.1 million to VISTA STAFFING SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: FBSU: TEMPORARY HEALTHCARE STAFFING SERVICES PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 6/01/2025 - 5/31/2026 Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.1 million for a 1-year period suggests a moderate level of spending for specialized healthcare staffing. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract were full and open, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators appear low given the firm-fixed-price contract type and a single delivery order. 4. Performance context is for temporary healthcare staffing, a critical service for maintaining operational capacity. 5. Sector positioning is within the healthcare services industry, specifically supporting federal health agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.1 million for a 1-year period for temporary healthcare staffing appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar federal contracts for specialized medical personnel. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs. Without specific per-unit data, a direct comparison is challenging, but the overall award size is within expected ranges for this type of service.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these services, which typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include patients served by the Indian Health Service facilities in Montana, who will receive continuous care. Services delivered are temporary healthcare staffing, ensuring adequate medical personnel are available. Geographic impact is focused on Montana, supporting healthcare access in the region. Workforce implications involve providing employment opportunities for healthcare professionals through the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on temporary staff impacting long-term institutional knowledge.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across different temporary staffing providers.
Managing the administrative overhead associated with frequent contract renewals or extensions.

Positive Signals

Addresses immediate staffing needs, ensuring continuity of care.
Provides flexibility to scale staffing levels based on demand.
Leverages specialized expertise that may not be available internally.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector is a critical component of the broader healthcare industry, characterized by high demand for skilled professionals. Federal agencies, particularly those serving specific populations like the Indian Health Service, often rely on contract staffing to fill critical roles and manage fluctuating needs. Spending in this area is influenced by workforce shortages, geographic challenges, and the need for specialized medical expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor is Vista Staffing Solutions, Inc., the extent of small business subcontracting is not detailed. Federal policy encourages small business participation, and further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were provided to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Indian Health Service contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance monitoring and quality assurance processes are internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Temporary Healthcare Staffing Services
Medical Personnel Services
Indian Health Service Contracts
Federal Healthcare Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Risk of service disruption if contractor fails to meet staffing needs.
Ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and patient privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.1 million to VISTA STAFFING SOLUTIONS, INC.. FBSU: TEMPORARY HEALTHCARE STAFFING SERVICES PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 6/01/2025 - 5/31/2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VISTA STAFFING SOLUTIONS, 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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern for temporary healthcare staffing services by the Indian Health Service in Montana?

Analyzing historical spending for temporary healthcare staffing by the Indian Health Service in Montana requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract is for $2.1 million in 2025-2026, understanding broader trends would involve examining previous awards for similar services in the region. Factors such as fluctuations in demand, staffing shortages, and specific facility needs can influence year-over-year spending. Without historical data, it's difficult to determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in temporary staffing for IHS facilities in Montana.

How does the awarded amount compare to the average cost of similar temporary healthcare staffing contracts nationwide?

Benchmarking this $2.1 million contract against similar nationwide contracts requires a comprehensive analysis of federal procurement databases. The average cost can vary significantly based on the type of healthcare professional (e.g., nurses, physicians, technicians), the duration of the contract, and geographic location, which often impacts labor rates. Given that this contract is for a full year and likely covers multiple roles, the $2.1 million figure appears to be within a reasonable range for federal healthcare staffing needs. However, a detailed comparison would necessitate examining contracts with similar scope, duration, and professional disciplines.

What are the specific types of healthcare professionals being provided under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types of healthcare professionals being supplied under this $2.1 million contract. Temporary healthcare staffing contracts can encompass a wide range of roles, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physicians, physician assistants, medical technicians, and administrative support staff. The Indian Health Service likely requires personnel to fill critical gaps in direct patient care or specialized medical services at its facilities in Montana. Further details on the Statement of Work or contract line items would be needed to identify the specific professional categories.

What is Vista Staffing Solutions, Inc.'s track record with federal healthcare contracts?

Vista Staffing Solutions, Inc. has a track record of performing federal healthcare contracts. As a provider of temporary healthcare staffing, their experience likely includes fulfilling requirements for various government agencies, potentially including the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and other health-focused entities. A thorough review of their contract history would reveal the types of services they have provided, their performance ratings on past contracts, and their experience with specific healthcare disciplines. This information is crucial for assessing their capability to meet the needs of the Indian Health Service.

Are there any specific performance metrics or quality assurance measures outlined in the contract?

The provided summary data does not detail specific performance metrics or quality assurance measures for this contract. However, federal contracts, especially for healthcare services, typically include clauses related to performance standards, reporting requirements, and quality control. The Indian Health Service would be responsible for monitoring the contractor's adherence to these standards, which could include metrics related to staff qualifications, punctuality, patient satisfaction, and adherence to clinical protocols. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award implies that the contractor is responsible for delivering the specified services within the agreed-upon cost.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2800 E COTTONWOOD PKWY STE 400, COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT, 84121

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,110,368

Exercised Options: $2,110,368

Current Obligation: $2,110,368

Actual Outlays: $1,130,170

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36F79720D0128

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline