VA awards $1M contract for ophthalmology services in Central Iowa, extending through April 2027

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $100,356 ($100.4K)

Contractor: DES Moines EYE Surgeons, L.L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-19

End Date: 2027-04-18

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $276/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: LOCAL OFF-SITE OPHTHALMOLOGY PHYSICIAN SERVICES CENTRAL IOWA VA - OY2

Place of Performance

Location: DES MOINES, POLK County, IOWA, 50310

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $100,356.2 to DES MOINES EYE SURGEONS, L.L.P. for work described as: LOCAL OFF-SITE OPHTHALMOLOGY PHYSICIAN SERVICES CENTRAL IOWA VA - OY2 Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure continued access to specialized eye care for veterans in the region. 2. Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government. 3. Competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) suggests a focus on smaller, efficient procurements. 4. The award is a delivery order against an existing contract vehicle. 5. Service delivery is concentrated in Iowa, impacting local veterans. 6. The contractor, Des Moines Eye Surgeons, L.L.P., will provide physician services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1 million over its term appears reasonable for specialized medical services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for ophthalmology services at other VA facilities or comparable healthcare providers would offer a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for managing costs, assuming the scope of services is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for procurements valued below a certain threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is designed to encourage competition among qualified sources. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought to leverage market competition efficiently for this service requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by allowing multiple vendors to bid, driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Veterans in Central Iowa will benefit from continued access to essential ophthalmology services. Services include physician consultations and potentially diagnostic and treatment procedures for eye conditions. The geographic impact is focused on the Des Moines metropolitan area and surrounding regions within the Central Iowa VA Health Care System's catchment area. The contract supports local healthcare professionals and potentially administrative staff within the contracted firm.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if the contractor faces staffing shortages or operational issues.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across all delivered services requires ongoing monitoring.

Positive Signals

Contract provides a clear path for continued access to specialized care for veterans.
Firm-fixed-price nature offers budget predictability.
Competition, even under SAP, suggests a degree of market validation for the service.

Sector Analysis

Ophthalmology physician services fall within the broader healthcare services sector, specifically medical specialties. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous private practices and healthcare systems capable of providing these essential functions. This contract represents a specific instance of the VA procuring these services to meet veteran healthcare needs, fitting within the government's overall healthcare spending on medical professionals.

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 encouraged to participate, but without specific details, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any portion was specifically reserved for small business concerns.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and program managers responsible for healthcare services in the Central Iowa region. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, though detailed performance metrics are often internal.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Services Contracts
Ophthalmology Services
Veteran Healthcare Delivery
Physician Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for service gaps if contractor performance falters.
Need for ongoing monitoring of quality and access.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $100,356.2 to DES MOINES EYE SURGEONS, L.L.P.. LOCAL OFF-SITE OPHTHALMOLOGY PHYSICIAN SERVICES CENTRAL IOWA VA - OY2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DES MOINES EYE SURGEONS, L.L.P..

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 $100,356.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-19. End: 2027-04-18.

What is the track record of Des Moines Eye Surgeons, L.L.P. in providing services to the VA or other government entities?

Information regarding the specific track record of Des Moines Eye Surgeons, L.L.P. with the VA or other government entities is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented disputes or contract terminations, and the duration and scope of previous government contracts held by this firm. Understanding their history with government contracting is crucial for evaluating reliability and performance consistency.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar ophthalmology services in the Central Iowa region?

The provided data does not include specific pricing details beyond the total contract value, making a direct comparison to market rates for similar ophthalmology services in Central Iowa challenging. To assess value for money, one would need to break down the contract value into per-service or per-physician rates and benchmark these against prevailing rates charged by private practices or other healthcare providers in the same geographic area. Factors like the specific services covered and the volume of patients would also influence this comparison.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential disruptions in service delivery due to contractor staffing issues, unexpected increases in patient volume beyond projections, or challenges in maintaining consistent quality of care. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear performance standards outlined in the contract, regular communication between the VA and the contractor, and the VA's ability to exercise contract options or seek alternative providers if performance is unsatisfactory. The firm-fixed-price nature also mitigates financial risk for the government, provided the scope is well-defined.

How effective has the VA been in ensuring timely and adequate access to ophthalmology care for veterans through similar contracts?

Assessing the effectiveness of VA's procurement of ophthalmology services requires analyzing historical data on patient wait times, patient satisfaction surveys, and clinical outcome measures for veterans receiving care under such contracts. While this specific contract aims to ensure continued access, broader VA performance metrics related to specialty care access and quality would provide context. Examining trends in veteran complaints or commendations related to ophthalmology services would also offer insights into program effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for ophthalmology services by the Central Iowa VA or the VA nationally?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns. To understand this, one would need to analyze aggregated spending data for the Central Iowa VA and the broader Department of Veterans Affairs for similar medical services over multiple fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the number of contracts awarded, helping to contextualize the current $1 million award within a larger financial picture.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5901 WESTOWN PKWY STE 200, WEST DES MOINES, IA, 50266

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $100,356

Exercised Options: $100,356

Current Obligation: $100,356

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C26324D0061

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline