HHS awards $114K task order for physician services in North Dakota, highlighting need for specialized medical support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $114,407 ($114.4K)

Contractor: AB Staffing Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2020-10-30

End Date: 2020-11-30

Contract Duration: 31 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: ED PHYSICIAN NOV TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: FORT YATES, SIOUX County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58538

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $114,407.02 to AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: ED PHYSICIAN NOV TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Task order value appears reasonable for specialized physician services over a one-month period. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is short, indicating a potential need for interim or surge support. 4. Services are for physician staffing, a critical component of healthcare delivery. 5. The award falls within the 'Offices of Physicians' NAICS code, aligning with industry standards. 6. Geographic focus on North Dakota points to specific regional healthcare needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $114,407 task order for physician services over 31 days represents a daily rate of approximately $3,691. This rate is within a reasonable range for specialized physician staffing, especially considering potential per diem or locum tenens arrangements. Benchmarking against similar short-term physician contracts would provide further context, but the initial assessment suggests fair value for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: $3,691 per day

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The use of full and open competition suggests the agency sought the best possible solution through a broad market search.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a wider pool of bidders and encourages competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include patients of the Indian Health Service in North Dakota requiring physician care. Services delivered are physician staffing to ensure continuity of medical care. Geographic impact is concentrated in North Dakota, addressing local healthcare access. Workforce implications involve providing temporary or specialized medical professionals to meet demand.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short duration may indicate a temporary staffing gap rather than a long-term solution.
Lack of detail on specific physician specialty could impact assessment of value for money.
Limited information on performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge service quality.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust procurement process.
Services address a critical healthcare need within the Indian Health Service.
Clear task order structure with defined start and end dates.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, specifically physician staffing, is a critical area for government agencies like the Indian Health Service. The market for locum tenens and physician staffing services is substantial, driven by demand for specialized skills and the need to fill temporary vacancies. This contract fits within the broader category of healthcare services procurement, where agencies often rely on specialized firms to ensure adequate medical personnel are available.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it specify subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award went to AB Staffing Solutions LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this prime contractor has a robust small business subcontracting plan or if opportunities were missed for small business participation in this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Indian Health Service's program management and contracting offices within HHS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available, though detailed performance reports or Inspector General involvement would depend on specific program reviews or identified issues.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Medical Staffing Contracts
HHS Physician Services Procurement
Locum Tenens Physician Contracts
Federal Healthcare Staffing Solutions

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate recurring need or interim solution.
Limited information on specific physician specialty and qualifications.
No data provided on the number of bidders or specific competition outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $114,407.02 to AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC. ED PHYSICIAN NOV TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AB STAFFING SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $114,407.02.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-10-30. End: 2020-11-30.

What is the track record of AB Staffing Solutions LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Health and Human Services?

AB Staffing Solutions LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, including those with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A review of federal procurement data would reveal the extent and nature of their past performance. Key indicators to examine include the number of contracts awarded, their value, the agencies served, and any reported performance issues or successes. Understanding their experience with similar physician staffing requirements, especially within the Indian Health Service (IHS) or for specific geographic regions like North Dakota, would provide crucial context for assessing their capability to fulfill this task order effectively. Past performance evaluations, if available, would offer direct insights into their reliability and quality of service.

How does the daily rate of $3,691 for physician services compare to market benchmarks for similar roles and locations?

The daily rate of approximately $3,691 for physician services, derived from the $114,407 task order over 31 days, needs to be benchmarked against market rates for similar roles and locations. This rate is likely for a locum tenens or temporary physician. Factors influencing this rate include the physician's specialty, experience level, geographic location (North Dakota in this case), and the urgency of the need. Market data from staffing agencies specializing in physician recruitment and surveys of physician compensation would be essential for a precise comparison. Generally, specialized physicians in remote or high-need areas can command higher daily rates. Without specific specialty information, it's challenging to definitively state if this rate is high or low, but it appears within a plausible range for such services.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on short-term task orders for essential physician staffing?

Relying on short-term task orders for essential physician staffing presents several risks. Firstly, it can lead to continuity of care issues, as patients may have to adjust to different providers over time. Secondly, it may indicate underlying systemic problems in recruitment and retention within the agency, suggesting a failure to secure long-term, permanent staff. Thirdly, the repeated use of short-term contracts can be less cost-effective in the long run compared to hiring permanent physicians due to administrative overhead and potentially higher per diem rates. Finally, it might signal a lack of strategic workforce planning, where staffing needs are met reactively rather than proactively, potentially impacting the overall quality and consistency of healthcare services provided.

What is the typical duration and value of physician staffing contracts awarded by the Indian Health Service?

The typical duration and value of physician staffing contracts awarded by the Indian Health Service (IHS) can vary significantly based on the specific need, location, and physician specialty. Contracts can range from short-term task orders, like the one analyzed here (31 days), to longer-term indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or fixed-price contracts spanning several years. Values also differ widely, from tens of thousands for short assignments to millions for comprehensive staffing solutions across multiple facilities. IHS often faces challenges in recruiting and retaining physicians, particularly in remote or underserved areas, leading to a frequent reliance on contract physicians. Therefore, analyzing historical IHS contract data for physician services would reveal patterns in duration, value, and the prevalence of short-term versus long-term arrangements.

Does the use of 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' for this task order indicate a competitive market for physician staffing services in North Dakota?

The use of 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' for this specific task order suggests that the Indian Health Service sought to leverage the broadest possible market for physician staffing services in North Dakota. This procurement method implies that multiple vendors were eligible to bid, and the agency aimed to secure the best value through a competitive process. While this particular award indicates a willingness to compete, it doesn't definitively prove a robustly competitive market for all physician staffing needs in North Dakota. The actual number of bids received and the nature of the competition (e.g., were there many qualified bidders?) would provide stronger evidence. However, opting for full and open competition is generally a positive sign for market health and taxpayer value.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2680 S VAL VISTA DR STE 152, GILBERT, AZ, 85295

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $114,407

Exercised Options: $114,407

Current Obligation: $114,407

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSI241201600004I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline