DoD's $10.8M contract for temporary help services awarded to Chenega Pro Federal Solutions, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,829,762 ($10.8M)

Contractor: Chenega PRO Federal Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-03-01

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: USNHO - MEDICAL PATIENT APPOINTING CLERK

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.8 million to CHENEGA PRO FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: USNHO - MEDICAL PATIENT APPOINTING CLERK Key points: 1. The contract value of $10.8 million for temporary help services appears reasonable for a two-year duration. 2. Competition dynamics are limited, with the contract being a delivery order under a previously awarded IDIQ. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, given the nature of temporary staffing services and a firm-fixed-price contract. 4. Performance context involves supporting the Defense Health Agency with patient appointment clerks. 5. Sector positioning is within the professional services segment of the Defense Health Agency's operational support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.8 million over two years for temporary patient appointment clerks suggests a per-year cost of $5.4 million. This is within a typical range for large-scale staffing support for federal agencies, especially considering the specialized nature of healthcare support roles. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative and clerical support within the DoD would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the initial figure does not raise immediate red flags.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded as a delivery order under an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. The specific IDIQ vehicle's competition level is not detailed here, but the award itself was not competed directly. This approach is common for task orders to streamline procurement, but it limits direct price discovery for this specific requirement compared to a full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: While efficient for the agency, limited competition on individual delivery orders can potentially lead to less favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to a fully competed scenario where multiple vendors vie for the work.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include military personnel and their families who rely on efficient patient scheduling. Services delivered are administrative support for patient appointments within the Defense Health Agency. Geographic impact is likely concentrated at military treatment facilities where the Defense Health Agency operates. Workforce implications involve the provision of temporary staff to augment existing healthcare administrative teams.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for inconsistent service quality if temporary staff are not adequately trained or supervised.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical administrative functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure incentivizes contractor efficiency and cost control.
Award to an established company (Chenega Pro Federal Solutions, LLC) suggests a degree of reliability.

Sector Analysis

The professional services sector, particularly temporary staffing, is a significant component of federal contracting. Agencies like the Defense Health Agency frequently utilize such services to manage fluctuating workloads and specialized administrative needs. The market for these services is competitive, with many firms capable of providing qualified personnel. This contract fits within the broader category of support services essential for the operational efficiency of large government organizations.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Chenega Pro Federal Solutions, LLC, which is not explicitly identified as a small business. The data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this specific delivery order. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award appears minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their overall operations.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Defense Health Agency's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities are internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Defense Health Agency Administrative Support Contracts
Temporary Staffing Services for Federal Agencies
Medical Administrative Support Contracts
DoD Healthcare Operations Support

Risk Flags

Limited competition on delivery order
Potential for staff turnover impacting service continuity
Need for robust vetting and training for temporary staff handling sensitive patient information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.8 million to CHENEGA PRO FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. USNHO - MEDICAL PATIENT APPOINTING CLERK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHENEGA PRO FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-01. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the track record of Chenega Pro Federal Solutions, LLC in providing similar temporary staffing services to the federal government, particularly within the healthcare sector?

Chenega Pro Federal Solutions, LLC, as part of the larger Chenega Corporation, has a substantial history of federal contracting across various agencies and service types. They are known to provide a wide range of professional, administrative, and technical support services. While specific data on their performance for 'medical patient appointing clerk' services under this particular IDIQ is not detailed in the provided snippet, their broader federal contracting portfolio suggests experience in fulfilling complex staffing requirements. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) and other relevant healthcare support contracts would offer a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in this specific domain.

How does the per-hour or per-employee cost benchmark for this contract compare to similar temporary staffing contracts awarded by the Defense Health Agency or other federal entities?

Without specific details on the number of personnel, hours worked, or the exact pay rates embedded within the $10.8 million contract value, a precise per-unit cost benchmark is challenging. However, the total value over two years ($5.4 million annually) for administrative support suggests an average cost per employee that would need to be competitive with market rates for skilled administrative staff in healthcare settings. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to analyze the average number of staff provided, their roles, and the contract's ceiling rates against industry benchmarks and other government contracts for similar temporary administrative support services.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on temporary staffing for critical patient appointment functions within a military healthcare system?

The primary risks associated with relying on temporary staffing for critical patient appointment functions include potential inconsistencies in service quality due to varying levels of experience and training among temporary staff. There's also a risk of higher turnover rates compared to permanent employees, leading to continuous onboarding and potential disruption. Furthermore, ensuring data security and HIPAA compliance among temporary personnel requires rigorous vetting and training protocols. Dependence on temporary staff can also impact institutional knowledge and long-term process improvement if not managed effectively. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract mitigates some financial risk but places a premium on the contractor's ability to recruit, train, and retain qualified personnel.

What is the historical spending pattern for temporary help services by the Defense Health Agency, and how does this $10.8M contract fit within that trend?

Historical spending data for temporary help services by the Defense Health Agency would reveal trends in their utilization of external staffing support. Agencies often use temporary services to manage surges in demand, cover staff shortages, or provide specialized skills without the long-term commitment of permanent hires. This $10.8 million contract, spanning two years, represents a significant but potentially standard investment for a large healthcare system like the DHA. Analyzing past annual expenditures on similar services would indicate whether this award is an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous spending levels, providing context on the agency's strategic reliance on contract staffing.

What specific performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are likely being used to evaluate the contractor's success in providing patient appointing clerks?

Performance metrics for a contract providing patient appointing clerks would likely focus on efficiency, accuracy, and patient satisfaction. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) could include metrics such as appointment scheduling accuracy rates (e.g., percentage of appointments booked correctly), patient wait times for scheduling, no-show rate reduction, adherence to scheduling protocols, and potentially patient feedback scores related to the appointment process. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor is responsible for meeting these standards, with potential penalties or incentives tied to performance outcomes. The Defense Health Agency would establish these KPIs within the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › CLERICAL MEDICAL SUPPORT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: HT941024R0001

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5253 PRUE RD STE 230, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78240

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,911,600

Exercised Options: $13,291,071

Current Obligation: $10,829,762

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HT941024D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline