DoD's $30M Patient Navigator Pilot Program Awarded to Accolade, Inc. Faces Scrutiny
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,018,499 ($30.0M)
Contractor: Accolade, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-01-01
End Date: 2023-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,215 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: FY2018 NDAA 731 PATIENT NAVIGATOR PILOT PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: PLYMOUTH MEETING, MONTGOMERY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19462
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $30.0 million to ACCOLADE, INC. for work described as: FY2018 NDAA 731 PATIENT NAVIGATOR PILOT PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Accolade, Inc. for the Patient Navigator Pilot Program is a significant investment in healthcare support services. 2. Competition details are limited, raising questions about the procurement process and potential price discovery. 3. The fixed-price incentive contract structure suggests an attempt to balance cost control with performance incentives. 4. The program's effectiveness and taxpayer impact require further evaluation given the substantial funding.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $30,018,499 for a 1215-day period appears substantial for a pilot program. Benchmarking against similar patient navigation or health insurance carrier contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive sign for market-driven pricing. However, the specific details of the bidding process and the number of competitors are not provided, making it hard to assess the full impact on price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The effectiveness of this pilot program in improving patient outcomes and potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs will ultimately determine its taxpayer impact. Early indicators of success are needed.
Public Impact
Potential for improved patient care coordination and outcomes within the DoD healthcare system. Opportunity to test innovative healthcare delivery models. Concerns about the long-term scalability and cost-effectiveness of the program beyond the pilot phase. Impact on beneficiaries' access to and understanding of their healthcare services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics for the pilot program.
- Limited transparency on the competitive bidding process.
- Potential for cost overruns if incentives are not carefully managed.
Positive Signals
- Focus on patient navigation aims to improve healthcare experience.
- Use of a pilot program allows for testing and refinement.
- Awarded under full and open competition.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the healthcare services sector, specifically focusing on patient support and navigation within the Department of Defense. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to establish without more context on the specific services provided.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Accolade, Inc., a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific award, which is a missed opportunity for small business engagement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of this pilot program will be crucial to ensure it meets its objectives and provides value for taxpayer money. The Department of Defense and the Defense Health Agency will need to closely monitor performance metrics and financial expenditures.
Related Government Programs
- Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Health Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Limited transparency on competition specifics.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Unclear long-term cost-effectiveness.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
direct-health-and-medical-insurance-carr, department-of-defense, pa, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $30.0 million to ACCOLADE, INC.. FY2018 NDAA 731 PATIENT NAVIGATOR PILOT PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ACCOLADE, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $30.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-01-01. End: 2023-04-30.
What specific patient navigation services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with the DoD's strategic healthcare goals?
The contract details are limited, but the 'Patient Navigator Pilot Program' suggests services focused on guiding beneficiaries through the healthcare system, coordinating appointments, understanding benefits, and potentially improving adherence to treatment plans. Alignment with DoD goals would likely involve enhancing beneficiary satisfaction, improving health outcomes, and potentially reducing administrative burdens or unnecessary healthcare utilization.
What were the key factors that led to Accolade, Inc. being selected, and how was the pricing determined to be fair and reasonable?
As the contract was awarded under full and open competition, Accolade, Inc. was likely selected based on a combination of technical qualifications, past performance, and price. The specific evaluation criteria and the resulting price analysis are not detailed here. Determining fair and reasonable pricing typically involves comparing proposed costs to historical data, other similar contracts, or independent cost estimates.
What metrics will be used to evaluate the success of this pilot program, and what is the anticipated return on investment for the $30 million expenditure?
Success metrics for a patient navigator program often include patient satisfaction scores, improved adherence to care plans, reduced hospital readmission rates, and potentially cost savings through better care coordination. The anticipated ROI would be measured against these outcomes, aiming to demonstrate that the investment leads to better health for service members and their families, and potentially more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Finance and Insurance › Insurance Carriers › Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HT940219SC001
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE (L)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Accolade Inc.
Address: 660 W GERMANTOWN PIKE STE 500, PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA, 19462
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,018,499
Exercised Options: $30,018,499
Current Obligation: $30,018,499
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-01-01
Current End Date: 2023-04-30
Potential End Date: 2023-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-11-16
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