DoD's Defense Health Agency awards $2.3M contract for Medical Admin Specialist/Data Analyst services to Kelfas Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,329,029 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Kelfas Services

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-04-05

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 908 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MED ADMIN SPECIALIST/DATA ANALYST (DHO)

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.3 million to KELFAS SERVICES for work described as: MED ADMIN SPECIALIST/DATA ANALYST (DHO) Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market competition. 2. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs, but the absence of competition may limit price discovery. 3. Performance period extends over two years, suggesting a need for sustained support in data analysis and administrative functions. 4. The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is broad, making direct comparisons challenging without more specific service details. 5. Focus on data analysis within the Defense Health Agency highlights the increasing importance of information management in healthcare operations. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large federal procurements, but its impact on specific healthcare support functions is significant.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.3 million over approximately two years for administrative and data analysis support appears within a reasonable range for specialized federal services. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or identify potential cost savings. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government, but the lack of competition means the government may not be receiving the best possible value. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and required expertise to similar sole-source contracts or publicly available salary data for comparable roles.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to full and open competition. The specific justification for this approach is not provided, but it typically implies that only one responsible source was available or that the agency determined it was in the government's best interest to award to a specific contractor without competition. The lack of multiple bidders means there was no opportunity for price negotiation or comparison among different vendors, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to leverage competition to drive down prices, potentially resulting in taxpayers paying more than they would in a competitive environment. This also reduces transparency in the procurement process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Defense Health Agency (DHA), which will receive specialized administrative and data analysis support. Services delivered are expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of medical administration and data management within the DHA. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the DHA's operational areas, potentially supporting military health system facilities. Workforce implications may involve Kelfas Services personnel directly supporting DHA operations, potentially augmenting existing government staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential value for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.
Potential for cost overruns if pricing is not rigorously scrutinized due to lack of competition.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract supports critical functions within the Defense Health Agency.
Award to a single vendor may indicate specialized expertise required for the task.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code (541611). This sector is broad and encompasses a wide range of services, including organizational planning, financial planning, marketing, human resource, and process improvement consulting. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting various agencies in optimizing operations and managing complex projects. Benchmarking this specific contract is difficult without more granular detail on the services provided, but it represents a small portion of the overall federal IT and professional services market.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Kelfas Services' size status is not explicitly provided, but the contract's value and nature suggest it could be awarded to either small or large businesses depending on the company's size. There is no information available regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Defense Health Agency. As a Department of Defense contract, it is subject to oversight by the DoD Inspector General. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award, with less public information available compared to competitively procured contracts. Accountability will be measured through performance metrics outlined in the contract and adherence to the firm fixed-price terms.

Related Government Programs

Defense Health Agency IT Support Services
DoD Administrative and Management Consulting Contracts
Federal Healthcare Data Analytics Services
Sole-Source Professional Services Awards

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency regarding contractor's past performance.
Scope of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' is broad, requiring careful monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.3 million to KELFAS SERVICES. MED ADMIN SPECIALIST/DATA ANALYST (DHO)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KELFAS SERVICES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-05. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'MED ADMIN SPECIALIST/DATA ANALYST (DHO)' services required under this contract?

The contract description 'MED ADMIN SPECIALIST/DATA ANALYST (DHO)' suggests the services involve a combination of medical administrative support and data analysis specifically for the Defense Health Agency (DHA). This could include tasks such as managing medical records, processing administrative requests, analyzing healthcare data for trends, generating reports on operational efficiency, supporting clinical data management, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. The 'DHO' likely refers to the Defense Health Operations or a similar internal designation within the DHA. The exact scope would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) which is not provided here, but it points towards a need for personnel who can bridge administrative functions with data-driven insights within a military healthcare context.

How does the $2.3 million contract value compare to similar sole-source awards for administrative and data analysis support within the DoD?

Comparing this $2.3 million contract value to similar sole-source awards within the DoD requires access to a comprehensive database of federal contracts, specifically filtering for sole-source awards in administrative management and data analysis services within the defense sector. Generally, $2.3 million over approximately two years is a moderate-sized contract. Sole-source awards can vary significantly in value depending on the criticality and uniqueness of the required services. Without specific comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average value. However, the absence of competition means the government is relying on the contractor's proposed pricing without market validation, making value assessment inherently more difficult than for competitively bid contracts.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract of this nature on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for reduced value for money. Without competition, the government lacks the leverage to negotiate the lowest possible price and may end up paying more than necessary. There's also a risk of contractor complacency, as the absence of competitive pressure might reduce the incentive for the contractor to innovate or maintain the highest service levels. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process, potentially leading to perceptions of favoritism or a lack of due diligence in exploring all available options. Finally, if the sole-source justification is weak or becomes invalid, the contract could face legal challenges.

What is Kelfas Services' track record with the Department of Defense or similar federal agencies?

Information regarding Kelfas Services' specific track record with the Department of Defense or other federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their performance history, one would typically look at past contract awards, performance evaluations (such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A positive track record with relevant agencies, particularly in providing similar administrative and data analysis services, would increase confidence in their ability to successfully execute this contract. Conversely, a history of poor performance or unresolved issues would represent a significant risk factor for this sole-source award.

How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type mitigate risks for the government in this scenario?

The Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) contract type is generally considered advantageous for the government when the scope of work is well-defined and risks are understood. In this scenario, FFP means that Kelfas Services is obligated to complete the work for a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs. This shifts the risk of cost overruns from the government to the contractor. For the government, this provides budget certainty and protects against unexpected increases in labor or operational expenses. However, the benefit of FFP is maximized in a competitive environment where pricing is driven down. In a sole-source situation, while the price is fixed, it might be fixed at a higher-than-necessary level due to the lack of competition.

What are the implications of this contract for the Defense Health Agency's data management capabilities?

This contract implies a strategic investment by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) in enhancing its data management capabilities. By bringing in specialists for medical administration and data analysis, the DHA aims to improve its ability to collect, process, analyze, and utilize healthcare data. This can lead to better insights into patient care, operational efficiency, resource allocation, and potentially cost savings within the military health system. The focus on data analysis suggests a move towards more evidence-based decision-making and performance improvement initiatives. The success of this contract will directly impact the DHA's capacity to leverage data for strategic planning and operational effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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: 14820 SILVERSTONE DR, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20905

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,460,789

Exercised Options: $2,424,973

Current Obligation: $2,329,029

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline