VA Awards $8.1M HUD-VASH Case Management Services Contract to Carlos L. Lopez

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,116,184 ($8.1M)

Contractor: Lopez Carlos L

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-11-01

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HUDVASH CASE MANAGEMENT SERVISES FOR VISN 2 DOWNSTATE.

Place of Performance

Location: LINCOLN, PENOBSCOT County, MAINE, 04457

State: Maine Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $8.1 million to LOPEZ CARLOS L for work described as: HUDVASH CASE MANAGEMENT SERVISES FOR VISN 2 DOWNSTATE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential case management services supporting the HUD-VASH program. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential price discovery. 3. Risk associated with a single vendor for critical veteran services. 4. Spending falls within the typical range for IT/Professional Services contracts of this nature.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.1M for 364 days appears reasonable for specialized case management services. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents the best value compared to potential market alternatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning it was not competed. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost than if multiple vendors had submitted bids.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition for these essential veteran support services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued support for homeless veterans through the HUD-VASH program. Provides critical case management services, aiding veterans in securing housing and healthcare. Potential for service disruption if the sole-source vendor faces operational issues.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Lack of price benchmark for comparison.
Potential for vendor lock-in.

Positive Signals

Supports critical veteran housing program.
Continuity of essential services.
Experienced vendor likely familiar with program needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional services, specifically vocational rehabilitation, supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission. Spending benchmarks for similar case management services can vary widely based on scope and duration, but $8.1M for a year-long contract is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the vendor is meeting all performance requirements and that the pricing remains fair throughout the contract term.

Related Government Programs

Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated costs
Limited transparency in price determination

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $8.1 million to LOPEZ CARLOS L. HUDVASH CASE MANAGEMENT SERVISES FOR VISN 2 DOWNSTATE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOPEZ CARLOS L.

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 $8.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-01. End: 2025-10-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and was a market research conducted to confirm no other capable vendors exist?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from a determination that only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or qualifications necessary to meet the government's requirements. A thorough market research should have been conducted to validate this assertion and explore potential alternatives before proceeding with a sole-source strategy.

How will the VA ensure cost-effectiveness and performance quality without competitive pressure?

The VA will need to implement robust performance monitoring and quality assurance processes. This includes setting clear performance metrics, conducting regular reviews, and potentially negotiating pricing adjustments based on performance or market shifts, even in the absence of a competitive bidding process.

What is the long-term strategy for procuring these services to ensure future competition and potentially better pricing?

The VA should consider developing a strategy to foster future competition. This might involve breaking down the requirement into smaller, more manageable components, encouraging new vendors to enter the market through outreach, or re-evaluating the necessity of a sole-source approach for subsequent contract actions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Vocational Rehabilitation Services › Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Product/Service Code: SOCIAL SERVICES › SOCIAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 880 MAIN ST, CHESTER, ME, 04457

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,116,184

Exercised Options: $8,116,184

Current Obligation: $8,116,184

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24225D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline