VA awards $20.4M contract for Clinical Portal of Medical Information to Cox Subscriptions, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,361,183 ($20.4M)

Contractor: COX Subscriptions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-06-29

Contract Duration: 1,368 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CLINICAL PORTAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATION

Place of Performance

Location: INDEPENDENCE, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44131

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $20.4 million to COX SUBSCRIPTIONS, INC. for work described as: CLINICAL PORTAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATION Key points: 1. The contract value is $20.4 million over its period of performance. 2. Cox Subscriptions, Inc. is the awardee under a full and open competition. 3. The contract is for Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals. 4. The period of performance runs from September 30, 2022, to June 29, 2026.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract is a Firm Fixed Price award, which provides cost certainty. The total value is substantial, but without specific unit metrics, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source procurement.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved access to medical information through the clinical portal. The contract supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to provide healthcare services. The use of a web portal aligns with modern digital healthcare delivery methods.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Firm Fixed Price contract type.
Long-term contract provides stability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the IT sector, specifically related to internet publishing and web portals. Spending in this area is significant across government agencies for digital services and information dissemination.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. The use of a definitive contract with a set period of performance allows for structured oversight.

Related Government Programs

Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Dependence on a single provider for critical services.
Need for ongoing monitoring of service performance and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $20.4 million to COX SUBSCRIPTIONS, INC.. CLINICAL PORTAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COX SUBSCRIPTIONS, 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 $20.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-06-29.

What specific services does Cox Subscriptions, Inc. provide under this contract for the clinical portal?

The data indicates the contract is for 'Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals.' This suggests services related to hosting, managing, and potentially providing access to medical information through a web-based platform. Specific functionalities like data aggregation, secure access controls, and user interface development would be key components.

What is the risk associated with relying on a single vendor for such a critical clinical information portal?

The primary risk is vendor lock-in and potential disruption if the vendor fails to perform or experiences technical issues. While competition was used for award, the ongoing service is provided by one entity. Mitigation strategies include robust performance metrics, clear service level agreements, and contingency planning for service continuity.

How effectively will this clinical portal improve veteran healthcare outcomes and access to information?

The effectiveness hinges on the portal's design, user-friendliness, and integration with existing VA systems. If well-executed, it can significantly enhance veterans' ability to access their medical records, communicate with providers, and manage their health. Success will be measured by user adoption rates, satisfaction surveys, and potentially improvements in care coordination.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 36C77622R0133

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 201 VILLAGE RD, SHALLOTTE, NC, 28470

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $58,025,559

Exercised Options: $20,361,183

Current Obligation: $20,361,183

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline