HHS Indian Health Service awards $9,075 contract for temporary staffing to Agassiz Eyecare LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,075 ($9.1K)

Contractor: Agassiz Eyecare LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2018-01-12

End Date: 2018-03-31

Contract Duration: 78 days

Daily Burn Rate: $116/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF AGASSIZ EYECARE

Place of Performance

Location: FORT YATES, SIOUX County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58538

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $9,075 to AGASSIZ EYECARE LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF AGASSIZ EYECARE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for temporary staffing services, indicating a need for short-term personnel support. 2. The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type implies that the price is set and not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. 4. The contract duration of 78 days points to a short-term, specific need rather than a long-term program requirement. 5. The small value of the contract suggests it may be for a niche or localized service requirement. 6. Awarded to Agassiz Eyecare LLC, a firm specializing in temporary help services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $9,075 is relatively small, making direct comparisons to larger contracts difficult. Given the short duration and the nature of temporary staffing, the pricing would need to be benchmarked against similar short-term staffing rates in North Dakota. Without more granular data on the specific roles and qualifications required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal bidding process than full and open competition. While not explicitly stated as sole-source, SAP can sometimes involve a limited number of bidders or pre-qualified vendors. The specific competition level (e.g., number of bids received) is not detailed in the provided data, but the use of SAP suggests a streamlined process for smaller procurements.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this contract likely means that the government sought competitive pricing within a simplified framework, aiming for efficiency in acquiring necessary services without the extensive administrative burden of larger procurements.

Public Impact

The contract benefits the Indian Health Service (IHS) by providing necessary temporary staffing to ensure continuity of services. Services delivered are temporary help services, likely supporting administrative or clinical functions within IHS facilities. The geographic impact is focused on North Dakota, where the contract was awarded and services were likely performed. Workforce implications include the provision of temporary staff, potentially filling immediate gaps and supporting existing personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP could potentially lead to higher prices than a fully competed large contract.
Short contract duration may indicate recurring needs, suggesting a potential for longer-term, more strategic staffing solutions.
Lack of detailed service description makes it difficult to assess the specific value and impact of the temporary staff.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarding to a specialized firm (Agassiz Eyecare LLC) suggests a focus on meeting specific staffing needs.
Use of SAP indicates an effort towards efficient procurement for smaller value requirements.

Sector Analysis

The temporary help services sector is a significant part of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Federal agencies often utilize temporary staffing to manage fluctuating workloads, fill unexpected vacancies, or access specialized skills without the long-term commitment of permanent hires. The Indian Health Service, like other federal entities, relies on such services to maintain operational efficiency, particularly in remote or underserved areas. The value of this contract is modest within the context of federal IT or defense spending, but represents a typical procurement for specialized, short-term support needs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and there is no information regarding subcontracting (sb: false). Therefore, this specific award does not appear to have direct implications for small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. The contractor, Agassiz Eyecare LLC, is likely a small business itself given the contract value, but this contract was competed under SAP, not necessarily as a small business set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Indian Health Service (IHS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by 'AW: DELIVERY ORDER'), oversight would focus on the performance of the temporary staffing services against the agreed-upon terms and conditions. The firm-fixed-price nature simplifies financial oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly disclosed for contracts of this size.

Related Government Programs

HHS Temporary Staffing Contracts
Indian Health Service Operational Support
Federal Temporary Staffing Services
North Dakota Federal Procurements

Risk Flags

Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) may limit the breadth of competition.
Short contract duration could indicate a recurring need not addressed by a more permanent solution.
Lack of detailed service description hinders a full assessment of performance and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $9,075 to AGASSIZ EYECARE LLC. IGF::OT::IGF AGASSIZ EYECARE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGASSIZ EYECARE LLC.

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 $9,075.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-01-12. End: 2018-03-31.

What specific roles and qualifications were required for the temporary help services provided under this contract?

The provided data identifies the contract as being for 'Temporary Help Services' (NA: 561320) awarded to Agassiz Eyecare LLC. However, it does not specify the exact roles or qualifications needed. Typically, temporary help services can range from administrative support (e.g., clerks, receptionists) to specialized clinical or technical roles, depending on the agency's needs. For the Indian Health Service, these could potentially include medical support staff, administrative personnel for clinics, or other roles necessary to ensure the smooth operation of healthcare facilities in North Dakota. Without further details, it's presumed the services met an immediate staffing need within IHS.

How does the $9,075 contract value compare to typical spending on temporary staffing by the Indian Health Service?

The $9,075 contract value is relatively small, suggesting a short-term or highly specific need. The Indian Health Service (IHS) operates numerous facilities across the country and likely engages in various staffing contracts, some of which could be significantly larger for longer durations or broader service areas. This particular award, being for only 78 days, represents a minor expenditure. Benchmarking this against IHS's overall budget for temporary staffing would require access to historical spending data across multiple contracts. However, for a localized, short-term requirement, this value is not inherently indicative of overspending or underspending without context on the services rendered and prevailing market rates.

What are the potential risks associated with using temporary staffing services, especially for a healthcare provider like IHS?

Potential risks with temporary staffing include a lack of institutional knowledge, potential for higher turnover, and the need for thorough vetting to ensure qualified and reliable personnel, especially in a healthcare setting where patient safety is paramount. For the Indian Health Service (IHS), risks could also involve ensuring cultural competency and understanding of the specific needs of the patient population. Furthermore, reliance on temporary staff might indicate underlying issues with recruitment or retention of permanent employees. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract mitigates financial risk, but performance and quality risks remain and would be managed through contract oversight.

What does 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' imply about the competition and potential value for taxpayers?

'COMPETED UNDER SAP' means the contract was awarded using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. SAP is designed for procurements valued below certain thresholds (currently $250,000 for most agencies), allowing for a more streamlined and efficient acquisition process. This typically involves fewer documentation requirements and potentially a shorter solicitation period compared to full and open competition. While SAP aims for competition, it may involve a smaller pool of bidders or informal solicitations. For taxpayers, using SAP can lead to cost savings through reduced administrative burden. However, the level of price competition might be less robust than in larger, more formally competed contracts, potentially impacting the ultimate value achieved.

What is the significance of the contract being a 'Delivery Order'?

The designation 'DELIVERY ORDER' (AW: DELIVERY ORDER) indicates that this contract is likely a task order issued against a pre-existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar contract vehicle. IDIQ contracts allow agencies to procure supplies or services over a period of time up to a specified maximum amount. Delivery orders specify the exact quantity, price, and delivery date for a particular order. This approach provides flexibility for the agency to order services as needed. For taxpayers, it can be efficient if the underlying IDIQ contract was competitively awarded, as it streamlines the process for subsequent orders while still leveraging initial competition.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: RFQ18019

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1801 LONGLEY AVE, BISMARCK, ND, 58501

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,075

Exercised Options: $9,075

Current Obligation: $9,075

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSI241201800018I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline