VA awards $75M for Mental Health Outreach, supporting patient care and awareness programs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $75,152,950 ($75.2M)

Contractor: J.R. Reingold & Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2016-09-12

End Date: 2021-11-11

Contract Duration: 1,886 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF TASK ORDER ISSUED TO SUPPORT PATIENT CARE SERVICES/MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM OFFICE, GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS AND EDUCATION OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22301

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $75.2 million to J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF TASK ORDER ISSUED TO SUPPORT PATIENT CARE SERVICES/MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM OFFICE, GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS AND EDUCATION OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Spending focused on critical mental health services and public awareness campaigns. 2. Contract awarded to J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC. under full and open competition. 3. Long contract duration (1886 days) suggests a need for sustained support. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs for these essential services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $75.15M over nearly 5 years appears reasonable for comprehensive mental health outreach and education services. Benchmarking against similar public relations contracts for health programs would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust process to solicit bids and ensure fair pricing. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to support vital mental health services, aiming to improve veteran well-being and reduce the impact of mental health issues.

Public Impact

Enhances access to mental health resources for veterans. Increases awareness and reduces stigma surrounding mental health issues. Supports critical patient care services within the VA system. Provides educational outreach on suicide prevention and mental wellness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to scope creep if not managed effectively.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical outreach services.
Potential for cost overruns if fixed price doesn't account for all contingencies.

Positive Signals

Addresses a high-priority need for veteran mental health support.
Utilizes a competitive bidding process to ensure value.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Public Relations Agencies (NAICS 541820), a sector often utilized by government agencies for communication, outreach, and awareness campaigns. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the scope and duration of services required.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure the effective delivery of mental health services and the appropriate use of taxpayer funds.

Related Government Programs

Public Relations Agencies
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of vendor lock-in.
Potential for scope creep without strict management.
Dependence on a single entity for critical outreach.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $75.2 million to J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC.. IGF::CL::IGF TASK ORDER ISSUED TO SUPPORT PATIENT CARE SERVICES/MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM OFFICE, GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS AND EDUCATION OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, 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 $75.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-12. End: 2021-11-11.

What specific metrics are used to measure the success of the mental health outreach and education programs funded by this contract?

Success metrics likely include reach of campaigns (e.g., impressions, engagement), participation in educational events, reported improvements in mental health awareness among the target population, and potentially a reduction in mental health crisis incidents. The contract's performance work statement would detail these specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives.

How does the VA ensure the quality and effectiveness of the mental health services provided by J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC. given the long-term nature of the contract?

The VA likely employs a quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) to monitor contractor performance against contract requirements. This includes regular performance reviews, feedback mechanisms, and potentially site visits to ensure services meet established standards for mental health support and outreach.

What is the VA's strategy for transitioning or continuing these mental health support services after the contract's expiration in 2021?

The VA would typically plan for contract renewal, re-competition, or transition to another vendor or internal resources well before expiration. Given the critical nature of mental health services, a seamless transition or continuation strategy would be paramount to avoid service disruption for veterans.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Public Relations Agencies

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1321 DUKE ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $75,152,956

Exercised Options: $75,152,956

Current Obligation: $75,152,950

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0168L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline