DoD Air Force Task Order for Referral Management Services Under Stop Work Order Due to Protest

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,010,102 ($26.0M)

Contractor: Prairie Quest, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-12-20

End Date: 2021-10-12

Contract Duration: 1,757 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: ''IGF::OT::IGF'' WEST REGION BASE YEAR TASK ORDER FOR REFERRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES. THIS TASK ORDER IS CURRENTLY UNDER A STOP WORK ORDER PURSUANT TO A PROTEST OF THE AWARD OF THESE SERVICES. THIS CAR IS BEING RELEASED AT THIS TIME AS FPDS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME OF INITIAL ACTION.

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78226

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.0 million to PRAIRIE QUEST, INC. for work described as: ''IGF::OT::IGF'' WEST REGION BASE YEAR TASK ORDER FOR REFERRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES. THIS TASK ORDER IS CURRENTLY UNDER A STOP WORK ORDER PURSUANT TO A PROTEST OF THE AWARD OF THESE SERVICES. THIS CAR IS BEING RELEASED AT THIS TIME AS FPDS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME OF INIT… Key points: 1. Awarded to PRAIRIE QUEST, INC. for $26M over 5 years. 2. Services are for Referral Management, classified under Miscellaneous Health Practitioners. 3. Currently under a stop-work order due to a protest of the award. 4. Procurement method was Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The task order value of $26M over nearly 5 years for referral management services appears substantial. Without specific benchmarks for similar services, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, especially given the current stop-work order.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' indicating an attempt at broad competition. However, the subsequent protest raises questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the price discovery process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are currently on hold due to the stop-work order, preventing service delivery and potentially incurring costs related to the protest and re-evaluation.

Public Impact

Military personnel and their families may experience delays in accessing necessary healthcare referrals. The protest and stop-work order indicate potential issues with the procurement process or the awarded contractor's qualifications. Uncertainty surrounding the contract's future could impact the continuity of care for beneficiaries. The significant dollar value raises questions about the necessity and efficiency of these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Stop Work Order
Protest of Award
Potential for Contract Re-evaluation
Uncertainty in Service Delivery

Positive Signals

Awarded via Full and Open Competition
Long-term contract duration (nearly 5 years)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the healthcare services sector, specifically related to administrative and support functions for healthcare providers. Spending in this area often focuses on efficiency and patient access.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct analysis of small business participation or impact from this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The stop-work order and protest highlight active oversight mechanisms, though they also point to potential flaws in the initial award process. Further investigation into the protest's resolution is crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Protest of Award
Stop Work Order Issued
Potential for Contract Re-evaluation
Lack of Transparency on Protest Grounds
Uncertainty in Service Continuity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.0 million to PRAIRIE QUEST, INC.. ''IGF::OT::IGF'' WEST REGION BASE YEAR TASK ORDER FOR REFERRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES. THIS TASK ORDER IS CURRENTLY UNDER A STOP WORK ORDER PURSUANT TO A PROTEST OF THE AWARD OF THESE SERVICES. THIS CAR IS BEING RELEASED AT THIS TIME AS FPDS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME OF INITIAL ACTION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRAIRIE QUEST, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-12-20. End: 2021-10-12.

What were the specific grounds for the protest, and how might they impact the final resolution and cost-effectiveness of the contract?

The grounds for the protest are not detailed in the provided data. However, protests typically arise from alleged improprieties in the solicitation, evaluation, or award process. Depending on the nature of the protest (e.g., technical evaluation, cost realism, small business status), the resolution could involve a corrective action, re-evaluation, or even cancellation of the award, potentially leading to delays and increased administrative costs.

What is the typical cost range for similar referral management services contracts within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking referral management services costs is complex due to variations in scope, patient volume, geographic location, and included services. However, contracts of this magnitude ($26M over nearly 5 years) suggest a significant operational scale. Without detailed service level agreements and performance metrics, a precise comparison is difficult, but it warrants scrutiny to ensure alignment with industry standards and government cost-saving objectives.

How will the stop-work order affect the continuity of care for beneficiaries and what contingency plans are in place?

The stop-work order directly halts the contractor's ability to provide referral management services, potentially disrupting the patient care pathway for military beneficiaries. The Department of the Air Force likely has contingency plans, which could include extending existing contracts, utilizing other internal resources, or potentially awarding an interim contract to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the protest resolution period.

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 › SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL/ MEDICAL SUPPORT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: FA805214R0013

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4211 HOBSON CT STE A, FORT WAYNE, IN, 46815

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,052,775

Exercised Options: $26,010,102

Current Obligation: $26,010,102

Contract Characteristics

Consolidated Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA805217D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline