VA awards $495K contract for phlebotomy services to Ghost Rx Inc. under a full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $494,864 ($494.9K)

Contractor: Ghost RX Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-01

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: VISN 20 MED TECH BPA - PHLEB

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98108

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $494,863.9 to GHOST RX INC. for work described as: VISN 20 MED TECH BPA - PHLEB Key points: 1. The contract value represents a modest investment for specialized medical support services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process for this service. 3. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 4. The duration of one year allows for flexibility in meeting ongoing needs. 5. This award falls within the temporary help services sector, indicating a need for skilled personnel. 6. The geographic focus on Washington state suggests localized service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $495,000 for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized phlebotomy services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for temporary medical staffing or specialized technician services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the fixed-price nature and the competitive award, it suggests a fair market price was likely achieved. The absence of extensive performance data in this initial award makes a deep dive into efficiency challenging, but the contract structure itself is sound.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With three bids received, the competition level suggests a healthy interest in providing these services to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition with multiple bidders helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

Veterans in VISN 20 will benefit from timely and efficient phlebotomy services, crucial for diagnostic testing and treatment. The contract ensures the availability of skilled phlebotomists to support medical procedures and patient care within the VA system. Services are primarily delivered within Washington state, directly impacting the healthcare infrastructure for veterans in that region. The contract may indirectly support a specialized healthcare workforce, though specific job creation numbers are not detailed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if contractor performance falters, given the specialized nature of phlebotomy.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical medical support function could pose a risk if not managed closely.
Ensuring consistent quality of service across all patient interactions is paramount.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Fixed-price contract type helps manage budget predictability.
Contract duration allows for stable service provision over a defined period.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare support services sector is a critical component of the broader healthcare industry, encompassing a wide range of specialized services. This contract for phlebotomy services falls under temporary help services (NAICS 561320), which are essential for healthcare providers to manage fluctuating staffing needs and access specialized skills. The market for such services is driven by demand for efficient patient care, diagnostic support, and operational flexibility within healthcare systems, including government agencies like the VA.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and the contractor is not a small business (ss: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The focus remains on the prime contractor's ability to deliver the required services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers responsible for VISN 20 medical services. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Services Contracts
Temporary Healthcare Staffing Services
Phlebotomy and Laboratory Support Services
VISN 20 Healthcare Network Services

Risk Flags

Contractor Performance Risk
Service Quality Assurance
Timeliness of Service Delivery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $494,863.9 to GHOST RX INC.. VISN 20 MED TECH BPA - PHLEB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GHOST RX INC..

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 $494,863.9.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-01. End: 2025-08-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for phlebotomy or similar temporary medical staffing services within VISN 20?

Analyzing historical spending for VISN 20 on phlebotomy or comparable temporary medical staffing services would provide crucial context for the current $495,000 award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Trends in previous contract values, durations, and the number of bidders for similar services can indicate changes in market demand, pricing, or VA's strategic approach to outsourcing these functions. Understanding past spending patterns helps in assessing whether the current contract is cost-effective over the long term and if the VA is achieving better value compared to previous arrangements.

How does the pricing of Ghost Rx Inc. compare to other providers of phlebotomy services in the Washington state market?

To assess the value for money, Ghost Rx Inc.'s pricing under this contract needs to be benchmarked against market rates for similar phlebotomy services in Washington state. This involves comparing the per-service cost, hourly rates for technicians, or overall contract value relative to the scope of work and expected volume of services. If Ghost Rx Inc.'s pricing is significantly lower than comparable providers, it could indicate strong competitive bidding or potential quality concerns. Conversely, if it's higher, justification would be needed based on superior service quality, specialized expertise, or unique capabilities. Accessing market research reports or data from other federal and state contracts for similar services would be essential for this comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) outlined in the contract to ensure quality and timeliness of phlebotomy services?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). For phlebotomy services, critical KPIs might include patient wait times, specimen collection accuracy rates, turnaround times for sample delivery to labs, and patient satisfaction scores. SLAs would specify the required availability of phlebotomists, response times to service requests, and protocols for handling difficult draws or adverse events. Robust oversight by the VA contracting officer's representative (COR) to monitor adherence to these KPIs and SLAs is crucial. Without these defined metrics and diligent monitoring, ensuring consistent quality and timely service delivery becomes challenging, potentially impacting veteran care.

What is the track record of Ghost Rx Inc. in performing similar government contracts, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Ghost Rx Inc.'s track record in performing government contracts, especially those with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is a critical factor in assessing performance risk. Information on past performance, including contract history, client feedback (e.g., from the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or corrective actions, should be reviewed. A history of successful, timely, and high-quality service delivery suggests a lower risk for this new contract. Conversely, past performance issues could indicate potential challenges in meeting the requirements of this phlebotomy services BPA call, necessitating closer monitoring and proactive risk mitigation strategies by the VA.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the overall efficiency and patient throughput within VISN 20's medical facilities?

The successful execution of this phlebotomy services contract by Ghost Rx Inc. has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and patient throughput within VISN 20's medical facilities. By ensuring a readily available pool of skilled phlebotomists, the contract can reduce patient wait times for blood draws, a common bottleneck in healthcare settings. This improved efficiency allows medical staff to focus on higher-level clinical tasks, potentially increasing the number of patients seen daily and improving the overall patient experience. Effective management and performance by the contractor are key to realizing these benefits and ensuring that the contract contributes positively to the VA's mission of providing timely and effective healthcare to veterans.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE 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: 11480 RIVOLLI CT, RENO, NV, 89521

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $494,864

Exercised Options: $494,864

Current Obligation: $494,864

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C26021A0034

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline