VA awards $2.8M contract for Schuylkill County CBOC services to EGA Associates, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,799,379 ($2.8M)

Contractor: EGA Associates, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-08-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CBOC SERVICES FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PA

Place of Performance

Location: POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17901

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.8 million to EGA ASSOCIATES, LLC for work described as: CBOC SERVICES FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PA Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure continued outpatient care services for veterans in Schuylkill County, PA. 2. EGA Associates, LLC, a relatively small firm, secured this contract. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, suggesting potential for future task orders. 4. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The contract duration is one year, indicating a need for ongoing services. 6. The specific services fall under 'All Other Outpatient Care Centers', a broad category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more detailed service scope and comparable contract data. However, the total award amount of $2.8 million for a one-year period for outpatient care services in a specific county appears within a reasonable range for such services. Further analysis would require comparing the per-patient cost or cost per service line against similar contracts awarded by the VA or other federal agencies for community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). The fixed-price contract type suggests the government has negotiated a set price for the defined scope of work, which can be advantageous if the scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded using 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the number of bidders. The exact reasons for exclusion are not detailed in the provided data. A limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition, as the pool of potential offerors is smaller.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of certain sources, even if justified, could mean taxpayers did not benefit from the most competitive pricing possible. A more open competition might have driven down costs through increased bidder participation.

Public Impact

Veterans in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, will benefit from continued access to essential outpatient healthcare services. The contract supports the delivery of a range of outpatient care services, contributing to the VA's mission of caring for veterans. The geographic impact is focused on Schuylkill County and surrounding areas served by the CBOC. The contract likely supports local employment within the healthcare sector in Pennsylvania.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to exclusion of sources may impact price discovery.
Lack of detailed service scope makes it difficult to assess true value for money.
Contract duration of one year may necessitate frequent re-competition, leading to administrative overhead.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract shifts performance risk to the contractor.
Contract supports critical healthcare services for veterans.
Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, an agency focused on veteran well-being.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, particularly outpatient care, is a significant area of federal spending. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a major procurer of healthcare services, both directly and through community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). This contract fits within the broader category of healthcare services procurement, aiming to provide accessible medical care to veterans. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other VA CBOC contracts or similar outpatient service contracts awarded by other federal health agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside was not utilized (ss: false) and there is no specific mention of subcontracting goals (sb: false). Therefore, this contract does not appear to have a direct small business set-aside component. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether EGA Associates, LLC itself is a small business and its subcontracting practices, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to satisfactory performance. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS-NG, where basic award information is publicly available. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

VA Community Care Network (CCN)
VA Medical Services Contracts
Outpatient Care Services
Federal Healthcare Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price discovery.
Contractor's past performance and capacity are not detailed.
Specific service scope requires further examination for value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.8 million to EGA ASSOCIATES, LLC. CBOC SERVICES FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EGA ASSOCIATES, 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 $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the specific scope of services covered under this contract for CBOC services?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'CBOC SERVICES FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PA' and falls under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621498, 'All Other Outpatient Care Centers'. This NAICS code encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing outpatient health services, except for those primarily engaged in outpatient care for specific medical fields like mental health, substance abuse, or kidney dialysis. While the specific services are not itemized, it generally includes a range of medical, diagnostic, and treatment services typically offered at a community-based outpatient clinic, such as primary care, basic diagnostics, and potentially referrals for specialized care. A detailed statement of work (SOW) within the contract document would provide the precise list of required services, performance metrics, and operational requirements.

How does the award amount of $2.8 million compare to similar VA CBOC contracts?

Comparing the $2.8 million award for a one-year period requires context regarding the size and scope of the CBOC it serves. VA CBOC contracts can vary significantly in value based on the veteran population served, geographic area, and the range of services offered. For instance, a CBOC serving a large veteran population in a densely populated area might have a significantly higher annual budget than one serving a smaller, more rural population. Without specific data on the veteran patient panel size, service utilization rates, or the specific service offerings for this Schuylkill County CBOC, a direct comparison is difficult. However, annual budgets for VA CBOCs can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, making this award appear to be in the mid-to-upper range for a single-year contract, potentially indicating a substantial service requirement or a higher cost structure for the region.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract to EGA Associates, LLC?

Potential risks associated with awarding this contract to EGA Associates, LLC, would depend on the company's track record, financial stability, and operational capacity, none of which are detailed in the provided data. As a single-award delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ, there's a risk if EGA Associates, LLC underperforms or fails to meet contractual obligations. This could lead to disruptions in veteran care, requiring the VA to potentially exercise options, seek emergency services, or re-compete the contract, all of which can incur additional costs and delays. The 'limited' competition aspect also introduces a risk that the VA may not have secured the absolute best value or that the contractor may have less incentive to innovate or optimize services compared to a highly competitive environment. Further due diligence on the contractor's past performance and capacity would be necessary to fully assess these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for CBOC services in Schuylkill County or similar regions?

Historical spending patterns for CBOC services in Schuylkill County or similar regions are not directly available from the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to access historical contract awards from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases, filtering by the Department of Veterans Affairs, relevant NAICS codes (like 621498), and the geographic location (Schuylkill County, PA, or comparable counties). Analyzing past awards would reveal the total amount spent annually on CBOC services in the area, the incumbent contractors, and the frequency of contract renewals or re-competitions. This historical data is crucial for understanding cost trends, identifying potential price increases or decreases over time, and assessing the stability of service providers in the region.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' contracting method impact cost-effectiveness for taxpayers?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method presents a nuanced impact on cost-effectiveness for taxpayers. While it aims for broad competition, the explicit exclusion of certain sources inherently limits the bidder pool. If the exclusions are well-justified (e.g., based on specific technical capabilities, past performance issues with excluded vendors, or national security concerns), the resulting competition among the remaining qualified vendors might still yield competitive pricing. However, if the exclusions are arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could reduce the number of viable bidders, potentially leading to higher prices than would be achieved in a truly unrestricted full and open competition. Taxpayers benefit most when the maximum number of qualified, capable vendors can compete, driving down prices through market forces. Therefore, the justification and scope of the 'exclusion of sources' are critical factors in determining the ultimate cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Outpatient Care Centers › All Other Outpatient Care Centers

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: EGA Associates LLC

Address: 602 CLAY AVE STE 200, JEANNETTE, PA, 15644

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, 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: $2,799,379

Exercised Options: $2,799,379

Current Obligation: $2,799,379

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24424D0079

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline