VA awards $3.35M contract for PTSD consultant outreach to APTIVE HTG LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,353,545 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Aptive HTG LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TOPR 0055 PTSD CONSULTANT OUTREACH

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.4 million to APTIVE HTG LLC for work described as: TOPR 0055 PTSD CONSULTANT OUTREACH Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative and management consulting for PTSD outreach. 2. The contract duration is 5 years, aligning with long-term program needs. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 5. The contractor, APTIVE HTG LLC, is based in Virginia. 6. This award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.35 million over five years for PTSD consultant outreach appears reasonable given the scope of administrative and management consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized consulting in healthcare or veteran services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage cost predictability. Without specific performance metrics or detailed service breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the duration and type of service indicate a potentially significant need.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the process was competitive, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the final competition. This suggests a structured approach to identifying potential bidders. The presence of 3 bids (no: 3) indicates a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. A higher number of bidders would typically lead to more aggressive pricing and potentially better value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award, even with potential exclusions, suggests that taxpayer funds were sought through a process designed to identify capable contractors and reasonable pricing. The moderate number of bidders implies that while competition existed, there may be room for improvement in maximizing price discovery.

Public Impact

Veterans suffering from PTSD are the primary beneficiaries, receiving improved outreach services. The contract supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to provide comprehensive care. Services are likely to have a geographic impact within the regions served by the VA. The contract may indirectly support a workforce of consultants and administrative staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited transparency if 'exclusion of sources' was not well-justified.
Risk of vendor lock-in if the contractor becomes indispensable for outreach efforts.
Dependence on a single delivery order for a critical service area.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract helps control costs for taxpayers.
Long contract duration (5 years) allows for program stability and continuity.
Awarded through a competitive process, indicating efforts to secure value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Management and Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and general management. This sector is crucial for government agencies seeking expertise in program management, operational efficiency, and strategic planning. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized consulting. The VA's spending in this area supports its complex mission of serving veterans, often requiring tailored solutions for outreach and care.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plan would be necessary to assess its impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, oversight may also be influenced by the terms of the base contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but specific performance monitoring details are typically internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Mental Health Services
Veteran Outreach Programs
Government Management Consulting Contracts
PTSD Treatment and Support

Risk Flags

Potential for 'exclusion of sources' to limit competition.
Effectiveness of outreach services requires ongoing performance monitoring.
Contract type (FFP) requires clear SOW to ensure value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.4 million to APTIVE HTG LLC. TOPR 0055 PTSD CONSULTANT OUTREACH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APTIVE HTG LLC.

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 $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'PTSD CONSULTANT OUTREACH' services being procured?

The contract, 'TOPR 0055 PTSD CONSULTANT OUTREACH,' awarded to APTIVE HTG LLC, falls under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). This suggests the services involve providing expertise and support to enhance the VA's outreach efforts for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This could encompass strategic planning for outreach campaigns, development of communication materials, management of consultant activities, data analysis to improve outreach effectiveness, and potentially logistical support for outreach events or programs. The focus is on the administrative and managerial aspects of ensuring veterans are aware of and can access PTSD-related services.

How does the $3.35 million contract value compare to similar VA outreach or consulting contracts?

Benchmarking the $3.35 million contract value requires comparing it to similar contracts for administrative and management consulting services, particularly those focused on healthcare outreach or veteran services. While specific comparable data is not provided, contracts of this magnitude over a five-year period (1825 days) are not uncommon for specialized consulting needs within large federal agencies like the VA. The value suggests a significant scope of work, potentially involving multiple consultants or extensive program management. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing contract ceilings, duration, and the specific deliverables of other VA contracts in similar service categories to ascertain if this award represents a competitive and fair price.

What are the potential risks associated with APTIVE HTG LLC's performance on this contract?

Potential risks associated with APTIVE HTG LLC's performance include the contractor's ability to effectively manage and execute outreach strategies tailored to the complex needs of veterans with PTSD. There's a risk that the consultant outreach may not reach the intended population or may not be culturally competent. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the administrative and management consulting services in improving the VA's overall outreach program is a key performance indicator. Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service area like PTSD outreach could also pose a risk if the contractor underperforms or faces financial instability. Ensuring clear communication channels and robust performance metrics will be crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern of the VA on PTSD-related consulting or outreach services?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the VA on PTSD-related consulting or outreach services would provide context for the $3.35 million award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. However, the VA has consistently prioritized mental health services for veterans, including those related to PTSD, due to the high prevalence of the condition among service members. Spending in this area is likely influenced by factors such as ongoing conflicts, veteran population demographics, and evolving treatment modalities. Understanding past investments can help assess the current contract's significance and the VA's long-term commitment to addressing PTSD through contracted support.

How effective are firm fixed-price contracts in ensuring value for money in consulting services like this?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally favored for their cost control benefits, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. For consulting services like PTSD outreach, an FFP contract can incentivize efficiency and timely delivery of defined tasks. However, the effectiveness in ensuring value for money depends heavily on the clarity and completeness of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). If the SOW is poorly defined, the contractor might deliver minimal required services, or scope creep could lead to disputes. For complex services where the exact effort is hard to predict, FFP can sometimes lead to contractors building in higher contingencies, potentially increasing the price. Therefore, while FFP offers cost certainty, robust SOW definition and performance monitoring are crucial for maximizing value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 421 KING ST STE 200, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,353,545

Exercised Options: $3,353,545

Current Obligation: $3,353,545

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $565,335

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10X20D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline