VA awards $13.9M contract for special needs transportation in Florida, with delivery orders expected

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,918,775 ($13.9M)

Contractor: 28 Trans, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: SPECIAL MODE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE County, FLORIDA, 33125

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $13.9 million to 28 TRANS, LLC for work described as: SPECIAL MODE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide essential transportation services for veterans with special needs. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price delivery order, providing cost certainty. 4. Performance period spans two years, indicating a medium-term service requirement. 5. The awardee, 28 TRANS, LLC, will be responsible for service delivery. 6. Geographic focus is Florida, ensuring localized support for beneficiaries.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.9 million over two years for specialized transportation services in Florida appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized medical or veteran transportation in other states or regions would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns, but the ultimate value depends on the quality and efficiency of the services provided by 28 TRANS, LLC.

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,' which indicates that while the competition was broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests multiple interested parties likely participated, fostering price discovery and potentially leading to a more competitive price.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price, preventing potential overpayment and ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Veterans with special needs in Florida will benefit from reliable and accessible transportation. Services are crucial for enabling beneficiaries to attend medical appointments and access essential services. The contract supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to care for its veterans. Potential positive impact on local workforce in Florida through employment opportunities with the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if the contractor faces operational challenges.
Ensuring consistent quality of care and driver professionalism across all services.
Monitoring adherence to specialized transportation requirements for individuals with unique needs.

Positive Signals

Contract award signifies a commitment to supporting vulnerable veteran populations.
Firm-fixed-price structure provides budget predictability for the VA.
Focus on a specific geographic region allows for tailored service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The specialized transportation sector, particularly for government contracts, is characterized by a need for reliability, safety, and compliance with specific regulations. This contract fits within the broader healthcare and social services support industry, where demand is driven by demographic needs and government mandates. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) or specialized transit services awarded by federal, state, or local agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, 28 TRANS, LLC, is likely a larger entity or has not qualified for small business status. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent missed opportunities for the small business ecosystem to participate in this contract's execution.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures will be embedded in the contract's performance standards and delivery requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where this award is recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Veteran Affairs Medical Care
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Specialized Transit Services
Federal Transit Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for service gaps if contractor faces operational challenges.
Ensuring consistent quality and safety standards across all service deliveries.
Monitoring contractor performance against defined service level agreements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $13.9 million to 28 TRANS, LLC. SPECIAL MODE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is 28 TRANS, 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 $13.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of 28 TRANS, LLC in providing similar specialized transportation services?

Information regarding the specific track record of 28 TRANS, LLC in providing specialized transportation services is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history with government agencies (federal, state, or local), and any reported issues or commendations related to their service delivery. Understanding their experience with special needs populations, fleet management, driver training, and compliance with transportation regulations is crucial for evaluating their capability to fulfill this contract effectively. Without this historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess their reliability and past performance.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar specialized transportation services in Florida?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs or detailed pricing breakdowns, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. To assess value for money, one would need to analyze the contract's firm-fixed-price structure against industry benchmarks for specialized transportation in Florida. This would involve researching average costs for similar services, considering factors like vehicle type, driver qualifications, geographic coverage, and the specific needs of the beneficiaries. The total contract value of $13.9 million over two years provides a broad financial scope, but granular cost analysis is necessary for a precise market rate comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for specialized transportation services, KPIs would include metrics such as on-time performance, vehicle safety and maintenance records, driver training compliance, incident rates, and customer satisfaction. SLAs would define the expected standards for these metrics, including response times for booking requests, cancellation policies, and procedures for handling special circumstances. The Department of Veterans Affairs would establish these to ensure the contractor meets the required quality and reliability of service delivery.

What is the historical spending pattern for special needs transportation services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns for special needs transportation services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To analyze historical spending, one would need to examine aggregated contract data over several fiscal years, identifying trends in contract values, number of awards, types of services procured, and the geographic distribution of these services. This would help determine if spending on such services is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether this specific award aligns with past budgetary allocations and procurement strategies.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for specialized transportation in a large geographic area like Florida?

Relying on a single contractor, even with a full and open competition award, can introduce risks. These include potential service disruptions due to the contractor's operational issues (e.g., fleet breakdowns, driver shortages, labor disputes), which could significantly impact veterans' access to essential services. There's also a risk of reduced service quality over time if competition is not sustained or if the contractor faces financial difficulties. Furthermore, a single point of failure can make it challenging for the VA to pivot or find alternative solutions quickly if performance issues arise, potentially leading to prolonged negative impacts on beneficiaries.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation › Special Needs Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

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

Address: 204 DAVENTRY DR, DEBARY, FL, 32713

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, 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: $13,918,775

Exercised Options: $13,918,775

Current Obligation: $13,918,775

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24820D0058

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline