VA's $23M contract for unannounced community living center surveys awarded to Long Term Care Institute Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,036,608 ($23.0M)

Contractor: Long Term Care Institute Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2010-01-12

End Date: 2016-05-12

Contract Duration: 2,312 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR WILL GO TO COMMUNITY LIVING CENTERS TO CONDUCT UNANNOUCED SURVEYS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20420

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $23.0 million to LONG TERM CARE INSTITUTE INC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR WILL GO TO COMMUNITY LIVING CENTERS TO CONDUCT UNANNOUCED SURVEYS Key points: 1. Contract focused on administrative management and general consulting services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 3. The contract duration was over 2300 days, suggesting a long-term need for these services. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by setting a predetermined price. 5. This contract falls within the administrative management consulting sector. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $23 million over approximately six years for administrative management consulting services appears reasonable given the scope of conducting unannounced surveys at community living centers. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting services is challenging without more specific details on the exact deliverables and the number of facilities surveyed. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The total value is spread over a significant period, implying an average annual spend that needs to be evaluated in the context of the VA's overall budget for such oversight activities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors were likely solicited and had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bids indicates a moderate level of competition for this requirement. This competitive process is generally expected to lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a marketplace where contractors vie for the best value, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care in VA community living centers benefit from improved oversight and quality assurance through unannounced surveys. The services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting, focusing on the operational aspects of these facilities. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contractor is located, but the surveys would cover VA facilities nationwide. The contract supports the VA's mission to provide quality long-term care to veterans.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The long duration of the contract (over 2300 days) could lead to potential scope creep or a need for contract modifications if requirements evolve significantly over time.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant period for critical oversight functions might reduce flexibility in adapting to new best practices or emerging issues.
The effectiveness of 'unannounced' surveys relies heavily on the methodology and reporting accuracy of the contractor, requiring robust government oversight.

Positive Signals

The use of firm fixed-price contracts helps to control costs and provides budget certainty for the government.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a commitment to seeking the best value from the market.
The contract's focus on unannounced surveys indicates a proactive approach to quality assurance and identifying potential issues in living centers.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The total value of $23 million over six years for the VA represents a significant investment in ensuring the quality of care provided at its community living centers. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area are difficult to establish without detailed service scope, but the VA's commitment highlights the importance of oversight in healthcare facilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large businesses were eligible to compete, and there is no explicit information regarding small business subcontracting requirements or achievements. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the primary focus was on obtaining specialized expertise from the broader market, potentially limiting direct opportunities for small businesses on this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The firm fixed-price nature of the award implies that the government's primary oversight concern would be ensuring the contractor meets the defined scope of work and deliverables, particularly the quality and integrity of the unannounced surveys. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases, but specific details on survey methodologies and findings would likely be internal VA documents.

Related Government Programs

VA Community Living Center Program
VA Healthcare Quality Improvement Initiatives
Federal Management Consulting Services
Government Oversight and Auditing Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may require careful management to prevent scope creep or obsolescence.
Effectiveness hinges on contractor's survey methodology and government's oversight of findings.
No explicit small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $23.0 million to LONG TERM CARE INSTITUTE INC. THE CONTRACTOR WILL GO TO COMMUNITY LIVING CENTERS TO CONDUCT UNANNOUCED SURVEYS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LONG TERM CARE INSTITUTE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-01-12. End: 2016-05-12.

What was the specific methodology used by Long Term Care Institute Inc. for conducting unannounced surveys, and how was the quality of their reporting ensured?

The provided data does not detail the specific methodology employed by Long Term Care Institute Inc. for conducting unannounced surveys. Typically, such methodologies would be outlined in the contract's statement of work (SOW) and would include protocols for site visits, interview procedures, data collection, and reporting standards. Government oversight would involve reviewing survey reports for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to the agreed-upon methodology. Quality assurance mechanisms might include periodic reviews of the contractor's work, validation of findings, and performance evaluations. Without access to the SOW or performance reports, a definitive assessment of their methodology and reporting quality is not possible from the given data.

How does the $23 million contract value compare to other VA contracts for similar management consulting or facility oversight services?

Comparing the $23 million contract value to other VA contracts for similar services requires access to a broader dataset of VA procurements. However, as a general benchmark, $23 million spread over approximately six years (2010-2016) averages around $3.8 million per year. This figure needs to be contextualized by the scale of operations – the number of community living centers surveyed and the depth of the surveys. Larger, more complex oversight contracts for healthcare systems can easily run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. The VA's significant investment suggests a high priority placed on ensuring the quality of care in its long-term facilities through independent assessments.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of Long Term Care Institute Inc.'s services under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of Long Term Care Institute Inc. under this contract. In a typical government contract for consulting services, especially those involving surveys and assessments, KPIs often relate to the timeliness of report submission, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of findings, adherence to the contract's scope of work, and client satisfaction. For unannounced surveys, metrics might also include the number of facilities surveyed within a given period, the identification of critical issues, and the actionable nature of recommendations provided. The government contracting officer and technical monitors would be responsible for tracking these metrics and assessing contractor performance.

What is the track record of Long Term Care Institute Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The provided data indicates that Long Term Care Institute Inc. was awarded this specific $23 million contract by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for administrative management and general management consulting services related to community living centers. This suggests a prior relationship or at least an opportunity for the VA to assess their performance. To fully understand their track record, one would need to examine other contracts awarded to this company by the VA and other federal agencies, looking at contract values, performance history, any disputes or terminations, and overall satisfaction ratings. The existence of this substantial contract implies they were deemed capable of performing the required services.

Were there any significant risks identified or mitigation strategies employed for this contract, given its long duration and focus on sensitive facility oversight?

The provided data does not explicitly list identified risks or mitigation strategies for this contract. However, potential risks inherent in a long-term contract for unannounced facility surveys could include contractor performance degradation over time, changes in VA healthcare regulations or needs requiring contract adaptation, and ensuring the continued objectivity and integrity of the survey process. Mitigation strategies might involve robust government oversight, clearly defined performance standards, regular performance reviews, and contract clauses allowing for modifications or termination if performance is unsatisfactory. The firm fixed-price structure itself acts as a cost-control measure, mitigating financial risk for the government.

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 › NURSING, NURSING HOME, EVAL/SCREEN

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 505 S. ROSA RD STE 123, MADISON, WI, 53719

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,591,525

Exercised Options: $23,036,608

Current Obligation: $23,036,608

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0144S

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline