VA awards $3.35M wheelchair van transport contract to Navarre Corporation for Louisiana services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,353,188 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Navarre Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: WHEELCHAIR VAN TRANSPORT SERVICE -ORDERING PERIOD FOUR

Place of Performance

Location: NEW ORLEANS, ORLEANS County, LOUISIANA, 70119

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.4 million to NAVARRE CORPORATION for work described as: WHEELCHAIR VAN TRANSPORT SERVICE -ORDERING PERIOD FOUR Key points: 1. Contract provides essential transportation for veterans, ensuring access to medical care. 2. Service area covers Louisiana, indicating a regional focus for veteran support. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the duration of the order. 4. This is a delivery order under an existing contract, suggesting a continuation of services. 5. The contract's duration is one year, aligning with annual budget cycles. 6. Navarre Corporation is the incumbent provider for this service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.35 million for a one-year period for wheelchair van transport services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the service and the geographic coverage in Louisiana. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical transportation services indicates that pricing is generally within expected ranges for such specialized logistical support. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps to establish clear cost expectations and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically implies a competition among a smaller pool of vendors, often for contracts valued below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP can sometimes lead to less robust price discovery compared to full and open competition. However, it is designed to expedite the acquisition of goods and services efficiently.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to balance competition with efficiency for this contract value. Taxpayers benefit from a streamlined process that can potentially reduce administrative overhead, but the level of competition needs to be sufficient to ensure fair market pricing.

Public Impact

Veterans in Louisiana requiring non-emergency medical transportation will benefit from this service. The service ensures timely access to appointments at VA facilities and other healthcare providers. This contract supports the VA's mission to provide comprehensive healthcare to its beneficiaries. It may indirectly support local employment in the transportation sector within Louisiana.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP, which could impact price competitiveness.
Reliance on a single provider for a critical service raises continuity of care concerns if issues arise.

Positive Signals

Contract ensures continued access to essential medical transport for veterans.
Firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the VA.
Service is geographically focused, potentially leading to efficient service delivery within Louisiana.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare transportation sector is a critical component of the broader healthcare delivery system, ensuring patients can access necessary medical services. This contract falls under the Ambulance Services (NAICS 621910) industry, which includes services like non-emergency medical transportation. Spending in this area is driven by the need to support patient mobility, particularly for individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions requiring specialized transport. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically look at per-mile rates, per-trip costs, and overall contract values for similar geographic regions and service scopes.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided for this contract. As it was competed under SAP, it's possible that small businesses were considered, but without specific details, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business goals were incorporated or achieved.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring Navarre Corporation to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though detailed performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Care Transportation Services
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Contracts
Veteran Support Services
Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition under SAP
Dependence on a single provider for critical service

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.4 million to NAVARRE CORPORATION. WHEELCHAIR VAN TRANSPORT SERVICE -ORDERING PERIOD FOUR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NAVARRE CORPORATION.

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: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is Navarre Corporation's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs for similar transportation services?

Navarre Corporation has a history of providing services to the Department of Veterans Affairs. While specific details on past performance for wheelchair van transport in Louisiana are not fully elaborated in the provided data, their incumbency on this delivery order suggests a prior relationship and likely satisfactory performance to warrant continued service. A deeper dive into their contract history with the VA, including past performance reviews, any disputes, or awards, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability in fulfilling such critical transportation needs for veterans.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to other VA wheelchair van transport contracts in similar regions?

Direct comparison of pricing for this $3.35 million contract against other VA wheelchair van transport contracts in similar regions requires access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. Factors such as geographic terrain, cost of living, labor rates, vehicle types, and service intensity (e.g., number of trips, distance covered, level of patient assistance required) significantly influence pricing. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract provides cost certainty for the VA. However, without specific per-mile or per-trip rates, or a detailed breakdown of services, a precise benchmark is challenging. Further analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar scopes of work and geographic coverage to establish a robust value-for-money assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential service disruptions due to vehicle maintenance issues, driver availability, or unforeseen logistical challenges within Louisiana. Another risk is the potential for price increases in future contract periods if competition is limited. Mitigation strategies likely involve performance standards outlined in the contract, requiring Navarre Corporation to maintain a certain fleet availability and driver pool. The VA's oversight mechanisms, including monitoring service quality and responsiveness, also serve as mitigation. For future procurements, ensuring robust competition and potentially exploring alternative service models could mitigate long-term cost risks.

How effective is this contract in ensuring timely and reliable access to healthcare for Louisiana veterans?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on Navarre Corporation's operational efficiency and adherence to service level agreements. As a continuation of services, it implies a degree of established effectiveness. The contract's success is measured by veterans reaching their appointments without undue delays or cancellations. The VA's monitoring of on-time performance, patient satisfaction, and complaint resolution would be key indicators of effectiveness. The firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes efficient service delivery, but the ultimate measure is the consistent availability of reliable transportation for veterans needing medical care.

What is the historical spending trend for wheelchair van transport services by the VA in Louisiana?

Analyzing historical spending trends for wheelchair van transport services by the VA in Louisiana requires access to historical contract data. This specific contract represents $3.35 million for a one-year period. To understand trends, one would need to examine spending over multiple preceding years, noting any significant increases or decreases, contract durations, and the number of providers utilized. Such an analysis could reveal patterns of demand, potential shifts in service delivery strategies, or changes in the competitive landscape for these essential transportation services within the state.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Other Ambulatory Health Care Services › Ambulance Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7649 GULF BLVD, NAVARRE, FL, 32566

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,353,188

Exercised Options: $3,353,188

Current Obligation: $3,353,188

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25622D0020

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline