HHS awards $19.4M for Tulsa urban Indian health services to Indian Health Care Resource Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,421,276 ($19.4M)

Contractor: Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2009-10-01

End Date: 2013-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE PRIMARY OUTPATIENT MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND PREVENTIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE URBAN INDIAN POPULATION OF TULSA OK

Place of Performance

Location: TULSA, TULSA County, OKLAHOMA, 74120

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $19.4 million to INDIAN HEALTH CARE RESOURCE CENTER OF TULSA, INC for work described as: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE PRIMARY OUTPATIENT MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND PREVENTIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE URBAN INDIAN POPULATION OF TULSA OK Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential outpatient medical, dental, and behavioral health services. 2. Services target the specific needs of the urban Indian population in Tulsa. 3. The contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery. 4. The sector is healthcare, specifically outpatient and preventive services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.4M over four years for outpatient medical, dental, and behavioral health services for a specific population appears reasonable. However, without detailed service breakdowns and benchmarks for similar urban Indian health programs, a precise valuation is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning it was not open to competition. This limits the government's ability to ensure the best possible price through market forces and may result in higher costs than a competitive process would yield.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential health services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued access to critical healthcare services for the urban Indian population in Tulsa. Addresses specific health needs including medical, dental, and behavioral health. Supports a dedicated provider with a focus on a particular demographic. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award impacts taxpayer funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes value assessment challenging.
Potential for service duplication or inefficiency without competitive pressure.

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific, underserved population's healthcare needs.
Provides continuity of care for existing patients.
Focuses on essential preventive and outpatient services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the healthcare sector, specifically focusing on outpatient medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Spending in this area is critical for public health, but competitive bidding is typically sought to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to the Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, Inc., which is likely a non-profit organization serving the Indian community. There is no indication of small business participation in this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the government obtained fair value. Further oversight should confirm the necessity of the sole-source justification and the contractor's performance against contract requirements.

Related Government Programs

Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Indian Health Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Lack of transparency in pricing and cost justification.
Potential for inflated costs due to non-competitive nature.
Limited public data for independent value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $19.4 million to INDIAN HEALTH CARE RESOURCE CENTER OF TULSA, INC. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE PRIMARY OUTPATIENT MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND PREVENTIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE URBAN INDIAN POPULATION OF TULSA OK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INDIAN HEALTH CARE RESOURCE CENTER OF TULSA, 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 $19.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-10-01. End: 2013-09-30.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and has it been reviewed for necessity and appropriateness?

The justification for a sole-source award typically rests on factors like unique capabilities, urgent need, or lack of other responsible sources. For this contract, the specific rationale needs to be documented and reviewed by the agency to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations and that competition was genuinely not feasible or advantageous.

How does the per-unit cost of services compare to similar contracts or benchmarks for urban Indian health programs?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost is crucial for assessing value. Without access to detailed service utilization data and comparable contract information for similar programs serving urban Indian populations, it's difficult to determine if the pricing is competitive or inflated due to the lack of competition.

What performance metrics are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the medical, dental, and behavioral health services provided?

Effective oversight requires clear performance metrics tied to patient outcomes, service accessibility, and patient satisfaction. The agency should be monitoring these metrics closely to ensure the contractor is meeting the needs of the urban Indian population in Tulsa and delivering high-quality, effective care as intended by the contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 550 S PEORIA AVE, TULSA, OK, 01

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,189,812

Exercised Options: $26,189,812

Current Obligation: $19,421,276

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline