VA awards $13.7M for medical disability exams, extending services for veterans through Option Year 3

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,508,644 ($45.5M)

Contractor: Veterans Evaluation Services, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2016-01-01

End Date: 2019-04-23

Contract Duration: 1,208 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: MEDICAL DISABILITY EXAMININATIONS AS AUTHORIZED UNDER PUBLIC LAW 108-183 | VA CONTRACT NUMBER VA798-13-D-0002 | THE PURPOSE OF THIS MODIFICATION IS TO AWARD A TASK ORDER FOR OPTION YEAR 3 OF THE CONTRACT. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDING AVAILABLE IS $13,700,000.00. | IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, TEXAS, 77380

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $45.5 million to VETERANS EVALUATION SERVICES, INC for work described as: MEDICAL DISABILITY EXAMININATIONS AS AUTHORIZED UNDER PUBLIC LAW 108-183 | VA CONTRACT NUMBER VA798-13-D-0002 | THE PURPOSE OF THIS MODIFICATION IS TO AWARD A TASK ORDER FOR OPTION YEAR 3 OF THE CONTRACT. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDING AVAILABLE IS $13,700,000.00. | IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract provides essential medical disability examinations for veterans, directly supporting public law 108-183. 2. The task order covers Option Year 3, indicating a continued need and satisfaction with contractor performance. 3. Services are delivered under a Firm Fixed Price contract type, offering cost predictability. 4. The award is a Delivery Order against an existing contract, suggesting a streamlined procurement process. 5. The contractor, Veterans Evaluation Services, Inc., is a key provider in this specialized healthcare service area. 6. Geographic focus appears to be Texas, based on the provided state information.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total funding of $13.7 million for Option Year 3 suggests a significant scale of operations. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for medical disability examinations would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed price structure helps control costs, but the overall value depends on the efficiency and quality of the examinations provided. Without specific per-examination costs or comparison data, a precise value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is generally expected to yield favorable pricing and quality. The specific number of bidders is not provided, which would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition and its potential impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve service quality.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring medical disability examinations to determine eligibility for benefits are the primary beneficiaries. The services delivered are crucial for the accurate and timely assessment of veterans' medical conditions. The geographic impact is indicated to be Texas, suggesting a concentration of services in that region. This contract supports a specialized segment of the healthcare workforce involved in veteran evaluations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased workload on existing examination facilities.
Ensuring consistent quality of examinations across all contracted providers.
Managing the administrative overhead associated with a large-scale examination contract.

Positive Signals

Direct support for veterans' benefits processing.
Established contract vehicle allows for efficient service delivery.
Continuation of services for a critical veteran need.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, specifically the niche of medical disability examinations, is critical for supporting veterans' benefits. This contract falls under the broader category of healthcare support services, which includes a range of activities from direct patient care to specialized assessments. The market for these services is driven by government needs, particularly from agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, and involves a network of medical professionals and facilities.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly provided in the data. The contract's nature and scale might lend themselves to subcontracting opportunities, but without specific details, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. The contract's performance would be monitored against established service level agreements and quality standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Disability Examinations
Veterans Benefits Administration Services
Healthcare Services Contracts
Public Law 108-183 Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service delays if contractor capacity is exceeded.
Ensuring consistent quality of examinations across all providers.
Monitoring contract performance against defined metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $45.5 million to VETERANS EVALUATION SERVICES, INC. MEDICAL DISABILITY EXAMININATIONS AS AUTHORIZED UNDER PUBLIC LAW 108-183 | VA CONTRACT NUMBER VA798-13-D-0002 | THE PURPOSE OF THIS MODIFICATION IS TO AWARD A TASK ORDER FOR OPTION YEAR 3 OF THE CONTRACT. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDING AVAILABLE IS $13,700,000.00. | IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETERANS EVALUATION SERVICES, 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 $45.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-01-01. End: 2019-04-23.

What is the historical spending trend for this specific contract vehicle or similar medical disability examination contracts awarded by the VA?

Analyzing historical spending for this contract (VA798-13-D-0002) and similar medical disability examination contracts by the VA is crucial for understanding budget allocation and potential trends. While the provided data specifies $13.7 million for Option Year 3, a comprehensive review would involve examining funding levels for all previous option years and task orders under this contract, as well as comparable contracts. This analysis helps identify patterns of increasing or decreasing investment in these services, potential budget fluctuations, and the overall financial commitment of the VA to disability evaluations. Understanding these trends can inform future budget projections and highlight areas where spending may be accelerating or contracting, providing context for the current award amount.

How does the per-examination cost under this contract compare to industry benchmarks or other VA contracts for similar services?

A key aspect of assessing value for money is comparing the per-examination cost under this contract to established benchmarks. This involves obtaining the total number of examinations performed under the $13.7 million award for Option Year 3 and dividing it by the total cost to derive an average per-examination fee. This figure can then be benchmarked against average costs from other VA contracts for similar services, as well as private sector or commercial benchmarks for medical disability evaluations. Significant deviations from these benchmarks, whether higher or lower, warrant further investigation. Higher costs might indicate inefficiencies or a higher level of service, while lower costs could suggest strong competition or potential quality trade-offs. This comparison is vital for determining if the VA is achieving competitive pricing and optimal value.

What is the track record of Veterans Evaluation Services, Inc. in fulfilling similar government contracts, particularly with the VA?

Evaluating the track record of Veterans Evaluation Services, Inc. (VES) is essential for assessing the reliability and performance of this contractor. This involves reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, specifically those with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other agencies requiring similar medical disability examination services. Key performance indicators to examine include on-time delivery, quality of service, adherence to contract requirements, and any history of disputes, contract modifications, or corrective actions. A strong performance history suggests a lower risk of contract failure and a higher likelihood of receiving quality services. Conversely, a history of issues might raise concerns about the contractor's capacity or commitment, necessitating closer monitoring or a re-evaluation of their suitability for this significant award.

What are the specific performance metrics and quality standards used to evaluate the contractor's success in delivering medical disability examinations?

Understanding the performance metrics and quality standards is critical for objectively assessing the success of this contract. The Department of Veterans Affairs likely has defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that Veterans Evaluation Services, Inc. must meet. These could include metrics such as turnaround time for examinations, accuracy of reports, completeness of documentation, veteran satisfaction scores, and compliance with medical and procedural guidelines. Examining these standards provides insight into what constitutes successful performance and how the VA intends to hold the contractor accountable. Without access to these specific metrics, it is difficult to independently verify the quality and effectiveness of the services being provided under this $13.7 million award.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor's ability to scale operations to meet the demand for these examinations, particularly in Texas?

Assessing the risks associated with the contractor's operational capacity is important, especially given the scale of the $13.7 million award for Option Year 3. This involves evaluating whether Veterans Evaluation Services, Inc. has sufficient resources, including qualified medical professionals, administrative staff, and examination facilities, to meet the projected demand for medical disability examinations, particularly within the specified geographic focus of Texas. Risks could include potential backlogs, delays in scheduling appointments, or a decline in the quality of examinations if the contractor is overextended. Analyzing the contractor's staffing levels, facility capacity, and any past challenges in scaling operations would help identify these risks and inform mitigation strategies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › NURSING, NURSING HOME, EVAL/SCREEN

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9400 GROGANS MILL RD STE 305, THE WOODLANDS, TX, 77380

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,508,644

Exercised Options: $45,508,644

Current Obligation: $45,508,644

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA79813D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline