HHS awards $4.7M for 10 ER RNs to Access Therapies, Inc. to support Arizona facilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,733,240 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Access Therapies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-06-30

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: URGENT & COMPELLING - ACCESS THERAPIES - TEN (10) NON-PERSONNEL EMERGENCY ROOM (ER) REGISTERED NURSES (RN) - MC4801, MC4806, MC4807, MC4808, MC4812, MC4818, MC4822, MC4830, MC4831, MC4851

Place of Performance

Location: CHINLE, APACHE County, ARIZONA, 86503

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $4.7 million to ACCESS THERAPIES, INC. for work described as: URGENT & COMPELLING - ACCESS THERAPIES - TEN (10) NON-PERSONNEL EMERGENCY ROOM (ER) REGISTERED NURSES (RN) - MC4801, MC4806, MC4807, MC4808, MC4812, MC4818, MC4822, MC4830, MC4831, MC4851 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential emergency room nursing services, crucial for patient care continuity. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of one year with a significant value indicates a critical need. 4. Focus on registered nurses highlights the demand for skilled medical professionals. 5. Geographic focus on Arizona suggests support for specific IHS facilities in the state. 6. The award to a single entity, Access Therapies, Inc., warrants a review of their capacity and past performance.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.7 million for 10 ER RNs over one year averages to $473,324 per nurse. This rate appears high when considering typical RN salaries and benefits, even with overhead. Benchmarking against similar temporary staffing contracts for specialized roles like ER nurses is necessary to determine if this represents a fair market price. The absence of detailed service requirements makes a precise value assessment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide qualified candidates.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a process that aims to secure the best value through competitive bidding, potentially leading to cost savings compared to non-competitive awards.

Public Impact

Patients in Arizona Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities will benefit from continuous emergency room care. The contract ensures the availability of registered nurses to manage critical patient needs. Workforce implications include the provision of temporary nursing staff to alleviate potential shortages. Geographic impact is concentrated in Arizona, supporting healthcare delivery in specific IHS service areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for high per-nurse cost requires scrutiny.
Reliance on temporary staff may impact long-term team cohesion and knowledge retention.
Limited contract duration could necessitate future competitive procurements, leading to administrative burden.

Positive Signals

Addresses an urgent need for specialized nursing staff.
Full and open competition process is a positive indicator for value.
Focus on registered nurses ensures qualified personnel for critical care.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector, particularly for specialized roles like emergency room registered nurses, is experiencing high demand. Temporary staffing agencies play a vital role in filling critical gaps. This contract fits within the broader federal spending on healthcare services for underserved populations, specifically within the Indian Health Service. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other IHS or federal contracts for temporary nursing services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While this specific award may not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside, the prime contractor, Access Therapies, Inc., could potentially engage small businesses as subcontractors if their services align with the contract requirements. However, without specific subcontracting plans detailed, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular contract is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Indian Health Service (IHS). Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract, including the quality and availability of the nursing staff. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability, allowing for scrutiny of its terms and value. The Inspector General's office within HHS may conduct audits or investigations if concerns regarding waste, fraud, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service (IHS) Medical Services
HHS Temporary Staffing Contracts
Federal Nursing Support Services
Emergency Room Staffing Contracts

Risk Flags

High per-unit cost potential
Reliance on temporary staffing
Limited contract duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $4.7 million to ACCESS THERAPIES, INC.. URGENT & COMPELLING - ACCESS THERAPIES - TEN (10) NON-PERSONNEL EMERGENCY ROOM (ER) REGISTERED NURSES (RN) - MC4801, MC4806, MC4807, MC4808, MC4812, MC4818, MC4822, MC4830, MC4831, MC4851

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCESS THERAPIES, 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 $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-30. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of Access Therapies, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for nursing services?

Access Therapies, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily within the healthcare staffing domain. A thorough review of their past performance on similar contracts, especially those involving emergency room registered nurses or other critical care roles, is essential. This includes examining past performance evaluations, any documented issues or disputes, and their ability to meet delivery timelines and quality standards. Understanding their experience with the Indian Health Service or other agencies serving similar populations would provide further context on their suitability for this specific award. Analyzing their financial stability and capacity to scale operations to meet the demands of this contract is also crucial for assessing their reliability.

How does the awarded rate per nurse compare to market benchmarks for temporary ER RNs in Arizona?

The awarded contract value of $4.7 million for 10 ER RNs over one year equates to approximately $473,324 per nurse annually. This figure needs to be benchmarked against prevailing market rates for temporary ER RNs in Arizona. Factors such as the specific skill mix required, the urgency of the need, and the overhead costs associated with a staffing agency influence these rates. A comprehensive market analysis would involve comparing this rate to data from other federal and state contracts, as well as private sector staffing agencies operating in the region. If this rate significantly exceeds market averages, it could indicate potential overpricing or a lack of sufficient competition, warranting further investigation into the necessity of such a premium.

What are the specific performance metrics and quality standards required for the temporary ER RNs?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or quality standards for the temporary ER RNs. However, for a contract of this nature and value, it is expected that the Statement of Work (SOW) would include stringent requirements. These typically encompass adherence to clinical protocols, patient-to-nurse ratios, response times for critical events, documentation accuracy, and patient satisfaction scores. The Indian Health Service would likely have established clinical guidelines and operational procedures that the contracted nurses must follow. The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the clarity and enforceability of these metrics, as well as the agency's mechanisms for monitoring compliance and addressing any performance deficiencies.

What is the historical spending pattern for temporary nursing services by the Indian Health Service in Arizona?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for temporary nursing services by the Indian Health Service (IHS) in Arizona is crucial for contextualizing this $4.7 million award. This involves examining previous contract awards for similar services, including the number of contracts, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding whether there has been a consistent reliance on temporary staffing, or if this represents a new or increased need, provides insight into the sustainability of this spending. Furthermore, comparing historical spending with current needs can help identify potential trends in demand, cost fluctuations, and the effectiveness of different procurement strategies. This analysis can also reveal if specific facilities or regions within Arizona have a recurring requirement for such services.

What is the potential impact of relying on temporary nurses versus permanent hires on patient care continuity and staff integration?

Relying on temporary nurses, as stipulated in this contract, can have a dual impact on patient care continuity and staff integration. On the positive side, temporary staff can quickly fill critical staffing gaps, ensuring that essential services like emergency room care are not disrupted due to shortages. This immediate availability is vital in urgent situations. However, a consistent reliance on temporary staff may hinder long-term patient care continuity, as temporary nurses may not develop the same deep understanding of individual patient histories or established care plans as permanent staff. Furthermore, integrating temporary nurses into existing clinical teams can be challenging, potentially affecting team cohesion, communication, and the transfer of institutional knowledge. This can also impact the morale and workload of permanent staff.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7345 WOODLAND DR, SUITE B, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 46278

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,733,240

Exercised Options: $4,733,240

Current Obligation: $4,733,240

Actual Outlays: $2,201,400

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: V797D70049

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline