DoD's $35M contract for clinical process management services awarded to CIQIMA FEDERAL SERVICES LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,997,610 ($35.0M)

Contractor: Ciqima Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-09-01

End Date: 2022-06-30

Contract Duration: 302 days

Daily Burn Rate: $115.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SEVERAL GENERAL CLASSES OF SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLINICAL PROCESS MANAGEMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $35.0 million to CIQIMA FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SEVERAL GENERAL CLASSES OF SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLINICAL PROCESS MANAGEMENT. Key points: 1. The contract's value of $35 million over approximately 10 months suggests a significant investment in clinical process management. 2. Awarded as a delivery order, this contract likely represents a specific task within a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a sole-source procurement. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price for the services rendered. 4. The absence of competition raises questions about potential price discovery and whether the government secured the best possible value. 5. The contract's duration of 302 days indicates a focused, short-term need for these specialized services. 6. The geographic location in Alaska (st: AK, sn: ALASKA) may point to specific operational requirements or a lack of local providers for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $35 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of 'clinical process management' and the services delivered. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control. However, the lack of competition prevents a direct comparison with other potential providers to assess if the pricing is competitive. The per-unit cost is not calculable without a defined unit of service.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the necessary capabilities, or in urgent situations. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from the price reductions and innovation that can arise from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is a higher risk of paying a premium for services, as there was no market pressure to drive down costs. It also limits the opportunity for small businesses to compete for this work.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military personnel and their families receiving healthcare services managed under these clinical processes. The services delivered focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical operations within the Defense Health Agency. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alaska, suggesting a need for specialized healthcare support in that region. Workforce implications may include the utilization of specialized clinical management professionals, potentially both government personnel and contractor staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Limited transparency into the selection process due to sole-source award.
Scope of 'clinical process management' is broad and requires further definition for full understanding.
Geographic concentration in Alaska could indicate unique challenges or limited local capacity.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty.
Award to a specific contractor suggests they possess unique or essential capabilities.
Delivery order structure implies a defined scope of work for a specific need.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector within the federal government is vast, with the Defense Health Agency (DHA) being a major component responsible for providing medical services to the U.S. armed forces. Contracts in this space often involve complex IT systems, medical equipment, and professional services to support healthcare delivery. Spending benchmarks for clinical process management can vary widely depending on the specific services and scale, but significant investments are common to ensure operational efficiency and quality of care for military personnel and their families.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). As a sole-source award, it bypasses the typical competitive process where small businesses might have opportunities to bid or subcontract. There is no indication of subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Defense Health Agency (DHA) contracting officers and program managers. As a firm fixed-price contract, the primary oversight focus would be on ensuring the contractor delivers the specified services within the agreed-upon scope and timeline. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Defense Health Agency IT Services
Military Medical Readiness Programs
Healthcare Operations Support Contracts
Clinical Information Systems Management

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Broad service description requires further clarification.
Geographic concentration may indicate specific regional needs or limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $35.0 million to CIQIMA FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SEVERAL GENERAL CLASSES OF SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLINICAL PROCESS MANAGEMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CIQIMA FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $35.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2022-06-30.

What specific clinical process management services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contractor shall 'provide several general classes of services, including but not limited to clinical process management.' This is a broad description. Specific services could encompass areas such as patient flow optimization, healthcare workflow analysis, development and implementation of clinical protocols, quality improvement initiatives, and potentially the management of associated IT systems or data. Without a more detailed statement of work, the precise nature and scope of these services remain undefined, making it difficult to fully assess their impact or value.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The contract was designated as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source award. Common justifications for sole-sourcing include that only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs, or that there is a compelling urgency. For the Defense Health Agency, this could stem from a highly specialized requirement, a unique capability possessed by CIQIMA FEDERAL SERVICES LLC, or a critical, time-sensitive need where initiating a full and open competition was not feasible. The specific rationale would typically be documented in the contract award justification.

How does the $35 million contract value compare to similar clinical process management contracts within the DoD?

Direct comparison is difficult without knowing the exact scope and duration of services. However, $35 million for approximately 10 months of service suggests a high per-month expenditure. Larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive healthcare management systems or broad operational support within the DoD can run into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. This contract appears to be for a specific, potentially intensive, set of services rather than an overarching system-wide implementation. Its value is significant for its defined period and scope.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for critical healthcare services?

Sole-source awards carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost and performance. Without competition, there's less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price, potentially leading to higher costs for the government. There's also a reduced incentive for innovation. Furthermore, if the sole-source contractor underperforms or faces financial difficulties, the agency has limited alternative options, potentially disrupting critical healthcare operations. The lack of a competitive vetting process also means the agency relies heavily on its due diligence regarding the contractor's capabilities and past performance.

What is the track record of CIQIMA FEDERAL SERVICES LLC in providing clinical process management services?

Information regarding CIQIMA FEDERAL SERVICES LLC's specific track record in clinical process management is not detailed in the provided data. As a sole-source award, the Defense Health Agency presumably conducted due diligence to ensure the contractor possessed the necessary expertise and past performance. However, without access to performance reviews, prior contract details, or client testimonials specifically related to clinical process management, a comprehensive assessment of their track record is not possible from this data alone. Further research into their contract history and performance metrics would be necessary.

What is the expected impact of these services on healthcare delivery in Alaska?

Given the contract's location in Alaska (st: AK, sn: ALASKA), the services are intended to improve or streamline clinical processes within military healthcare facilities in that region. This could translate to more efficient patient scheduling, better resource allocation, improved quality of care protocols, and potentially reduced wait times for beneficiaries. The specific impact hinges on the precise nature of the 'clinical process management' being implemented and how effectively it addresses existing challenges within the Alaskan military healthcare system.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: HT001121R0048

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4300 B ST STE 405, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,997,610

Exercised Options: $34,997,610

Current Obligation: $34,997,610

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HT001121D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline