Department of the Army's $13.3M contract for medical records clerks awarded to Americas Staffing Partner Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,342,391 ($13.3M)

Contractor: Americas Staffing Partner Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-12-01

End Date: 2014-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,946 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: MEDICAL RECORDS CLERK (DHP) - TMHC

Place of Performance

Location: FORT HOOD, BELL County, TEXAS, 76544

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.3 million to AMERICAS STAFFING PARTNER INC for work described as: MEDICAL RECORDS CLERK (DHP) - TMHC Key points: 1. Contract value of $13.3 million over approximately 6 years indicates a significant investment in administrative support. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's duration of nearly 2,000 days points to a long-term need for these services. 4. Fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government, though it may limit flexibility. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621111 points to services typically provided by physician offices. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services and the number of personnel provided. However, a $13.3 million expenditure over nearly six years for medical records clerks suggests a substantial operational requirement. Comparing this to similar contracts for administrative support staff within the Department of Defense would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract offers budget predictability, but it's crucial to ensure the pricing reflects fair market value for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The presence of 4 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. A higher number of bidders typically correlates with more aggressive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive market rates, thereby maximizing the value of government spending.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and its medical facilities, which receive essential administrative support for managing medical records. Services delivered include the clerical functions necessary for the efficient operation of physician offices, ensuring proper documentation and accessibility of patient information. The contract's geographic impact is centered in Texas (ST: TX, SN: TEXAS), where the services are likely performed. Workforce implications include the creation of jobs for medical records clerks, contributing to employment within the healthcare administrative sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single contractor for a critical administrative function.
Risk of scope creep or unmanaged changes if contract modifications are not carefully controlled.
Ensuring consistent quality of service delivery over the contract's extended duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need that the contractor is expected to fulfill reliably.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare administrative support sector is a vital component of the broader healthcare industry, focusing on the non-clinical operations that enable patient care. This contract falls under the Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) category, highlighting the demand for specialized administrative personnel within medical practices. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous staffing firms vying for government contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for medical administrative support across federal agencies, particularly within the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (SS: false, SB: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, if the prime contractor, Americas Staffing Partner Inc., chooses to engage them. Without specific subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, the absence of a set-aside means larger, established firms were likely the primary focus of the competition.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, which record award details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Medical Administrative Support Services
Healthcare Staffing Contracts
Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Support
Federal Healthcare Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration may increase risk of performance degradation or cost escalation if not managed proactively.
Firm fixed-price contract type could incentivize cost-cutting at the expense of quality if contractor performance is not rigorously monitored.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.3 million to AMERICAS STAFFING PARTNER INC. MEDICAL RECORDS CLERK (DHP) - TMHC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAS STAFFING PARTNER INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-12-01. End: 2014-03-31.

What is the typical hourly rate for a Medical Records Clerk in Texas, and how does this contract's implied rate compare?

Determining the precise implied hourly rate for this contract requires knowing the number of hours worked and the specific services rendered. However, we can estimate based on the total award value and duration. With a $13.3 million award over approximately 1946 days (roughly 5.3 years), and assuming a standard 40-hour work week for multiple clerks, the implied hourly cost could be significant. General market data for Medical Records Clerks in Texas can vary widely by experience and location, but often falls in the range of $15-$25 per hour. If this contract's implied rate significantly exceeds this range, it could indicate a potential overpayment or a need for more specialized skills not captured by the basic job title. Further analysis would require detailed workload and staffing level data.

How does the number of bidders (4) compare to similar-sized contracts for administrative support within the Department of Defense?

A competition with 4 bidders for a contract valued at $13.3 million is moderately competitive. For large-value federal contracts, especially those with broad applicability like administrative support, the number of bidders can range significantly. Contracts awarded under full and open competition often see anywhere from 3 to over 10 bids, depending on the specificity of the requirement, the perceived profitability, and the number of capable vendors in the market. A lower number of bidders, such as 4, might suggest that the market for this specific service is more concentrated, or that the requirements were highly specialized, potentially limiting the pool of qualified respondents. Conversely, it could also indicate that the solicitation was not widely disseminated or that barriers to entry were high.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this duration (nearly 6 years)?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts offer cost certainty to the government, as the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs. However, for a contract spanning nearly six years, there are inherent risks. One primary risk is that the contractor may not be incentivized to control costs beyond meeting the minimum requirements, potentially leading to lower quality if not carefully managed. Conversely, if the contractor underestimates costs, they could incur losses, potentially impacting their financial stability and ability to perform. For the government, the risk lies in the potential for the contractor to deliver subpar performance if they find ways to cut corners to maximize profit within the fixed price. Additionally, market conditions or unforeseen circumstances could make the fixed price unviable for the contractor over such a long period, leading to disputes or requests for equitable adjustments.

What is the historical spending pattern for NAICS code 621111 by the Department of the Army?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for NAICS code 621111 ('Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)') by the Department of the Army reveals consistent investment in physician support services. While this specific contract is for $13.3 million, broader trends show that the Army, like other branches of the DoD, relies on external contractors for various administrative and clinical support functions within its healthcare system. Spending in this category is often driven by the need for specialized administrative staff to manage patient records, scheduling, and billing, complementing the services of military medical personnel. Fluctuations in spending can be influenced by changes in healthcare demand, military readiness requirements, and shifts in contracting strategies, such as moving towards larger IDIQ vehicles or specific service contracts like this one.

What does the contract award type 'Delivery Order' imply about the overall contract structure?

The 'Delivery Order' award type suggests that this contract is likely a task order or delivery order issued under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, or a similar contract vehicle like a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) award. IDIQs allow agencies to procure supplies or services from a pre-established list of items and prices over a set period. Delivery orders specify the exact quantities, delivery dates, and prices for a particular shipment or service requirement. This approach provides flexibility for the agency to order what it needs, when it needs it, up to a certain ceiling amount. For the contractor, it means they have secured a position on a larger contract vehicle, anticipating future orders.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 35 E ELIZABETH AVE STE 41, BETHLEHEM, PA, 18018

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,465,215

Exercised Options: $13,342,391

Current Obligation: $13,342,391

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: V797P4786A

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline