DoD awards $16.3M for Tele-Behavioral Health and Surge Support at Tripler Army Medical Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,319,633 ($16.3M)

Contractor: Kuhana Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-09-22

End Date: 2019-09-30

Contract Duration: 3,295 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: TELE-BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SURGE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, HI

Place of Performance

Location: TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96859

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.3 million to KUHANA ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: TELE-BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SURGE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, HI Key points: 1. Contract awarded to KUHANA ASSOCIATES LLC for medical services. 2. Services provided at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. 3. Contract duration was 3295 days. 4. The contract was not available for competition. 5. The total award value was $16,319,632.95.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award value of $16.3M over nearly 9 years suggests a significant investment. Without comparable contract data or detailed service breakdowns, assessing value for money is difficult. The lack of competition further complicates a direct pricing assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source or limited source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process, impacting taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Ensures continued access to vital tele-behavioral health services for military personnel and their families. Provides surge support, crucial for maintaining medical readiness during high-demand periods. Supports the operational needs of Tripler Army Medical Center, a key healthcare facility. Potential for increased costs due to non-competitive award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Long contract duration without clear performance metrics
  • Potential for cost overruns due to sole-source award

Positive Signals

  • Provides essential healthcare services
  • Supports military readiness
  • Located in a strategic medical facility

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the healthcare sector, specifically mental health services. Spending benchmarks for similar services can vary widely based on scope, duration, and location. The significant award value suggests a substantial and ongoing need.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or considered.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army. Oversight would typically involve contract management offices ensuring service delivery and adherence to terms. The lack of competition warrants scrutiny regarding the justification for sole-sourcing.

Related Government Programs

  • Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for inflated pricing
  • Limited transparency on service value
  • No small business participation identified

Tags

offices-of-mental-health-practitioners-e, department-of-defense, hi, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.3 million to KUHANA ASSOCIATES LLC. TELE-BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SURGE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, HI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KUHANA ASSOCIATES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-22. End: 2019-09-30.

What was the justification for not competing this contract, and were alternative competitive strategies explored?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION.' This implies a sole-source justification was likely used. Without further documentation, it's unclear if alternative competitive strategies were considered or if specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need) precluded competition. This lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and reduced value for taxpayer funds.

How does the per-unit cost of these tele-behavioral health services compare to industry benchmarks, given the non-competitive nature of the award?

Direct comparison of per-unit costs is challenging without specific service delivery metrics and industry benchmark data for similar government contracts. However, non-competitive awards generally carry a higher risk of inflated pricing compared to those secured through open competition. The $16.3M award over nearly nine years suggests a substantial cost, and the absence of competitive pressure makes it difficult to ascertain if it represents fair market value.

What mechanisms were in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of tele-behavioral health services provided by KUHANA ASSOCIATES LLC under this contract?

The contract type is 'FIRM FIXED PRICE,' which shifts some performance risk to the contractor. However, effectiveness and quality assurance typically rely on government oversight, performance metrics, and user feedback. Given the long duration and non-competitive nature, robust oversight mechanisms would be critical to ensure the services met the needs of Tripler Army Medical Center and its beneficiaries.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social AssistanceOffices of Other Health PractitionersOffices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICESMEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W81K0210R0060

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3375 KOAPAKA ST STE C-335, HONOLULU, HI, 96819

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Native Hawaiian Organization Owned Firm, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,319,633

Exercised Options: $16,319,633

Current Obligation: $16,319,633

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-09-22

Current End Date: 2019-09-30

Potential End Date: 2019-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2020-04-14

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