VA awards $17.5M contract for NDNQI ACCESS to Press Ganey Associates LLC, citing administrative management services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,502 ($17.5K)

Contractor: Press Ganey Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-07-01

End Date: 2025-03-04

Contract Duration: 977 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NDNQI ACCESS

Place of Performance

Location: FRESNO, FRESNO County, CALIFORNIA, 93703

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $17,501.6 to PRESS GANEY ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: NDNQI ACCESS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract duration is 977 days, spanning from July 2022 to March 2025. 3. Awarded as a Purchase Order under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 5. The contractor, Press Ganey Associates LLC, is a known entity in performance improvement. 6. The contract is not a small business set-aside. 7. The primary agency is the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.5 million over approximately 32 months represents a significant investment. Benchmarking this specific 'NDNQI ACCESS' service is challenging without more granular data on the scope of work. However, for administrative management and general management consulting services, pricing can vary widely based on the complexity and duration. Given the lack of competitive bidding, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents optimal value for money. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and comparing them to industry standards for similar consulting engagements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is listed as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. While the specific justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data, it implies that either only one source was capable of meeting the requirement or a waiver was granted. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions and potentially secure more favorable pricing through a bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of a competitive bidding process means taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that typically arise from market competition. This could lead to a higher overall expenditure for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities are likely the primary beneficiaries, receiving support for quality improvement initiatives. The services delivered are expected to enhance administrative and general management functions within the VA. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting VA operations nationwide. The contract supports the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding raises concerns about potential overpayment and limited market exploration.
The specific nature of 'NDNQI ACCESS' is not detailed, making it hard to gauge the full scope and necessity.
Reliance on a single source without clear justification could indicate a missed opportunity for cost optimization.

Positive Signals

The contract is with Press Ganey Associates LLC, a company with established expertise in healthcare performance.
A Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the award.
The contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for long-term planning and service integration.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services, a broad category within the professional services sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized firms offering expertise in areas such as operational efficiency, strategic planning, and performance improvement. The market size for government consulting services is substantial, with agencies frequently outsourcing specialized functions. This contract appears to support the VA's internal quality improvement and data management efforts, aligning with broader trends in healthcare analytics and administrative optimization.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal. The award to a larger, established firm suggests that the scope of work may have been deemed beyond the capacity or specialization of typical small business contractors in this niche.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. As a Purchase Order, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and internal VA oversight mechanisms. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of detailed public justification. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Healthcare Quality Improvement Programs
Management and Consulting Services
Healthcare Data Analytics
Administrative Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Potential for non-competitive pricing
Limited transparency on service scope and deliverables

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $17,501.6 to PRESS GANEY ASSOCIATES LLC. NDNQI ACCESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRESS GANEY 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 $17,501.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-01. End: 2025-03-04.

What is the specific function and objective of 'NDNQI ACCESS'?

The provided data does not specify the exact function or objective of 'NDNQI ACCESS'. However, given the contractor (Press Ganey Associates LLC) and the service category (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services), it is highly probable that NDNQI ACCESS relates to a system or program designed to collect, analyze, and report on nursing quality indicators or other healthcare performance metrics. Press Ganey is known for its work in patient experience, clinical quality, and operational performance improvement within healthcare settings. Therefore, NDNQI ACCESS likely supports the Department of Veterans Affairs in monitoring and enhancing the quality of care provided, potentially through data-driven insights and management consulting.

What is the typical cost range for similar administrative and management consulting contracts within the VA or other federal agencies?

The cost range for administrative and management consulting contracts within the VA and other federal agencies can vary significantly based on the scope of work, duration, contractor expertise, and level of competition. For a contract valued at $17.5 million over approximately 32 months, this falls within a moderate to large range for consulting services. Contracts for specialized consulting, particularly those involving data analysis, system implementation, or strategic planning for large organizations like the VA, can easily reach millions of dollars. Without specific details on the deliverables, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark, but this value suggests a comprehensive and potentially long-term engagement.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract of this size on a sole-source basis?

Awarding a contract of this size ($17.5 million) on a sole-source basis carries several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of paying a non-competitive price, as the government does not benefit from the price discovery that occurs during a competitive bidding process. This could lead to the government overpaying for the services. Secondly, it limits the government's access to potentially innovative solutions or specialized expertise that other qualified contractors might offer. Thirdly, it can create a perception of favoritism or a lack of due diligence in seeking the best value. Finally, if the sole-source justification is weak or later found to be inadequate, it could lead to protests and delays.

How does Press Ganey Associates LLC's past performance and track record influence the assessment of this contract's value?

Press Ganey Associates LLC is a well-established company in the healthcare performance improvement industry, known for its work in patient experience, quality, and safety. Their extensive experience suggests a strong understanding of the healthcare landscape and the types of data and analytics required for quality improvement initiatives. This established track record can be seen as a positive signal, potentially reducing performance risk and ensuring a certain level of service quality. However, without specific details on their past performance on VA contracts or similar government engagements, it's difficult to definitively assess the value proposition. A strong track record can justify a higher price, but it doesn't automatically guarantee optimal value for money, especially in the absence of competition.

What are the historical spending patterns for administrative and management consulting services by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) historically spends significant amounts on administrative and management consulting services to support its vast healthcare system and administrative operations. While specific historical spending figures for 'NDNQI ACCESS' or similar niche services are not readily available in this dataset, the VA consistently procures a wide range of consulting services. These often include areas like IT modernization, healthcare operations improvement, human capital management, and strategic planning. The total annual spending on consulting by the VA can run into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, reflecting the complexity and scale of its mission. This $17.5 million contract is one component of that larger spending picture.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C26122Q0472

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 404 COLUMBIA PL, SOUTH BEND, IN, 46601

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,304

Exercised Options: $17,502

Current Obligation: $17,502

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline