VA awards $2.4M contract for respiratory therapists, highlighting need for specialized medical staffing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,405,028 ($2.4M)

Contractor: A-Team Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-08-15

End Date: 2025-08-14

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: 3.0 FTE REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

Place of Performance

Location: WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, WINDSOR County, VERMONT, 05009

State: Vermont Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.4 million to A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: 3.0 FTE REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.4M over three years suggests a significant demand for specialized medical personnel. 2. The use of a firm-fixed-price contract indicates a clear scope of work and predictable costs. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust market for these services. 4. The contract duration of three years provides stability for both the agency and the contractor. 5. The specific need for registered respiratory therapists points to a critical healthcare service gap. 6. The award to A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC indicates their capability to meet the VA's requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.4 million over three years for registered respiratory therapists appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the role and the ongoing demand for healthcare professionals. Benchmarking against similar contracts for temporary medical staffing, particularly for highly skilled positions like respiratory therapists, would provide a clearer picture of value. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the agency has a defined budget and expects predictable service delivery, which is a positive sign for cost management.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of three bidders indicates a competitive environment for this type of service. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from a range of qualified providers, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price, preventing overpayment and ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Veterans in Vermont will benefit from increased access to respiratory therapy services. The contract ensures the availability of essential medical support for patients requiring respiratory care. This award supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to provide comprehensive healthcare to veterans. The contract may indirectly support the local healthcare workforce by creating demand for specialized roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on temporary staff impacting long-term institutional knowledge.
Fluctuations in demand could lead to inefficient resource allocation if not managed carefully.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across different contracted therapists requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Addresses an immediate need for specialized medical professionals, ensuring continuity of care.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for cost-effective solutions.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector is characterized by high demand for specialized clinical professionals, particularly in the wake of public health crises. Contracts for temporary medical personnel are common across federal agencies, especially within the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to fill critical staffing gaps. The market size for healthcare staffing services is substantial, with agencies often competing for a limited pool of qualified individuals. This contract fits within the broader category of healthcare support services, where agencies seek to ensure adequate patient care through flexible staffing solutions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates no specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses were mandated. The award to A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC, a company that may or may not be a small business itself, means that opportunities for small business participation through subcontracting are not explicitly guaranteed by this contract's terms. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and verifying the quality of services delivered. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract simplifies some aspects of financial oversight, but performance monitoring remains crucial. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Services Contracts
Temporary Healthcare Staffing Contracts
Registered Respiratory Therapist Services
Federal Healthcare Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for inconsistent quality of care due to temporary staffing.
Risk of higher costs compared to permanent staffing if not managed efficiently.
Dependence on contractor's ability to consistently provide qualified personnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.4 million to A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC. 3.0 FTE REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A-TEAM SOLUTIONS 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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-15. End: 2025-08-14.

What is the typical hourly rate for a Registered Respiratory Therapist under similar federal contracts?

Determining the precise typical hourly rate for a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) under similar federal contracts requires access to a broader dataset of comparable awards. However, based on general market knowledge and the contract value of $2.4 million over 1095 days (3 years), the approximate daily rate is $2,206.41, and the approximate hourly rate, assuming an 8-hour workday, is $275.70. This rate likely includes not only the therapist's salary but also overhead, benefits, profit, and administrative costs for the contracting company. Federal contracts for specialized medical personnel often command higher rates than civilian counterparts due to stringent requirements, background checks, and the critical nature of the services provided. Comparing this to other VA or DoD contracts for RRTs, or even civilian hospital contract rates, would be necessary for a definitive benchmark.

How does the competition level of three bidders compare to other VA temporary staffing contracts?

A competition level of three bidders for this Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contract for Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) is moderately competitive. For many federal contracts, especially those with a full and open competition designation, the number of bids can vary significantly. Contracts for highly specialized or niche services, like RRTs, might naturally attract fewer bidders than more common services. Conversely, larger, more general staffing contracts could see dozens of offers. Three bidders suggests that there is sufficient market interest to ensure some level of price discovery and choice for the VA, avoiding a sole-source situation. However, it is not as robust as a competition with five or more bidders, which might drive prices down more aggressively. To provide a definitive comparison, one would need to analyze the average number of bids received across all VA temporary staffing contracts or specifically for medical personnel contracts over a similar period.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on temporary staffing for critical medical roles like respiratory therapists?

Relying on temporary staffing for critical medical roles such as Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) presents several potential risks. Firstly, there can be a lack of institutional knowledge and familiarity with specific VA protocols, electronic health record systems, and facility layouts, which could impact efficiency and patient care continuity. Secondly, maintaining consistent quality of care can be challenging, as temporary staff may have varying levels of experience and commitment compared to permanent employees. Thirdly, there's a risk of higher turnover among temporary staff, leading to frequent onboarding and training needs, and potentially disrupting team dynamics. Finally, the cost per hour for temporary staff is often higher than for permanent employees when all benefits and overhead are considered, which could impact the overall value for money if not managed effectively. Robust vetting, clear performance expectations, and strong on-site supervision are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly within the healthcare sector?

Assessing the track record of A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC requires a detailed review of their past performance on federal contracts, which can be found in databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). Without direct access to these specific performance records for this contractor, a general statement about their track record cannot be made. However, for a contract of this value and duration awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, it is expected that the agency conducted due diligence, including reviewing past performance, to ensure A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC has the capability and reliability to fulfill the requirements. Factors typically considered include on-time delivery, quality of service, cost control, and overall customer satisfaction. A positive past performance review is usually a prerequisite for such awards.

How does the $2.4 million contract value compare to historical VA spending on respiratory therapist services?

To accurately compare the $2.4 million contract value to historical VA spending on respiratory therapist services, one would need to access historical federal procurement data. This would involve querying databases like FPDS for all contracts awarded by the VA for 'Registered Respiratory Therapist' or similar classifications over previous fiscal years. Analyzing this data would reveal trends in spending, average contract values, and the number of contracts awarded annually. This specific $2.4 million award over three years represents an average annual expenditure of approximately $800,000 for RRT services in Vermont. Without historical context, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to prior periods. Factors such as changes in veteran population needs, healthcare policy shifts, and market inflation would influence historical spending patterns.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8115 MAPLE LAWN BLVD STE 350, FULTON, MD, 20759

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,027,385

Exercised Options: $2,405,028

Current Obligation: $2,405,028

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: V797D50442

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline