HHS awards $643,900 for CT/XRAY tech services in South Dakota, with limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $643,900 ($643.9K)

Contractor: Anders Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-11-21

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 147 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CT/XRAY TECH SERVICES FOR PRSU, PINE RIDGE, SD

Place of Performance

Location: PINE RIDGE, OGLALA LAKOTA County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57770

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $643,900 to ANDERS GROUP LLC for work described as: CT/XRAY TECH SERVICES FOR PRSU, PINE RIDGE, SD Key points: 1. The contract value of $643,900 appears reasonable for specialized technical services over a 147-day period. 2. Limited competition for these essential healthcare services may impact price discovery and potentially increase costs. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, Anders Group LLC. 4. This award supports critical diagnostic imaging services at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, addressing a specific healthcare need. 5. The duration of the contract suggests a focused, short-term need for technical support. 6. The absence of small business set-aside indicates a focus on specialized skills rather than broad economic participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $643,900 for 147 days of CT/XRAY technician services is benchmarked against similar temporary healthcare staffing contracts. While specific per-diem rates are not provided, the total value suggests a competitive daily rate for specialized medical personnel. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the contractor can deliver the required services within the agreed budget. Further analysis would require comparison with rates for similar roles in the specific geographic region.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded on a 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' basis, indicating a limited competition scenario. This suggests that either only one source was capable of meeting the requirement, or there were specific circumstances that precluded a broader solicitation. The limited number of bidders, potentially only one, means the government may not have achieved the most favorable pricing or terms that a more competitive environment could offer. This approach is typically used when a specific capability or urgency is paramount.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may face higher costs due to the lack of robust competition. The government's ability to negotiate the best possible price is diminished when fewer vendors are involved in the bidding process.

Public Impact

Patients at the Pine Ridge facility will benefit from continued access to essential CT and XRAY diagnostic imaging services. The services directly support the Indian Health Service's mission to provide healthcare to Native American communities. The geographic impact is localized to Pine Ridge, South Dakota, ensuring critical medical support for that specific area. The contract ensures the availability of skilled technicians, maintaining the operational capacity of vital medical equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and lack of price optimization.
The 'not available for competition' justification requires scrutiny to ensure it was truly necessary.
Reliance on a single source for critical medical services can create vulnerability if the contractor fails to perform.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The award addresses a specific, critical need for diagnostic imaging technicians.
The contractor, Anders Group LLC, is being tasked with delivering essential healthcare support services.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector is characterized by high demand for specialized medical professionals, including diagnostic imaging technicians. Contracts like this fall under the broader category of healthcare support services, often procured by government agencies like the Indian Health Service to ensure adequate patient care. The market can be competitive, but specialized roles or urgent needs can lead to limited competition or sole-source awards. Benchmarking involves comparing rates for similar temporary staffing services across different healthcare providers and geographic regions.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to include a small business set-aside. The award to Anders Group LLC, a temporary staffing agency, suggests that the primary focus was on acquiring specialized technical skills rather than promoting small business participation. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses, indicating that the direct award is the primary mechanism for service delivery.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Indian Health Service. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Medical Equipment Maintenance
Temporary Healthcare Staffing Services
Diagnostic Imaging Services Contracts
Federal Healthcare Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Justification for 'not available for competition' requires verification.
Potential for service disruption if contractor fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $643,900 to ANDERS GROUP LLC. CT/XRAY TECH SERVICES FOR PRSU, PINE RIDGE, SD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANDERS GROUP 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 $643,900.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-21. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the typical cost for CT/XRAY technician services in South Dakota?

Determining the precise 'typical' cost for CT/XRAY technician services in South Dakota without more granular data is challenging. Factors influencing cost include the specific qualifications and certifications required, the duration of the contract, the geographic location within South Dakota (urban vs. rural), and the specific duties performed. For a contract valued at $643,900 over approximately 147 days, this averages to roughly $4,380 per day. This daily rate would need to cover the technician's salary, benefits, overhead, and profit for the contractor, Anders Group LLC. Benchmarking against state-specific healthcare staffing agencies or similar federal contracts in comparable rural areas would provide a more accurate comparison. However, given the specialized nature of the role and the potential for limited competition, this rate may be within an acceptable range for ensuring critical service availability.

What are Anders Group LLC's past performance records with the federal government?

Information regarding Anders Group LLC's specific past performance records with the federal government is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their contract history, including any awards, task orders, and performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS). Federal agencies typically consider past performance as a significant factor in source selection, especially for services requiring specialized skills or reliability. Without access to their detailed federal performance history, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record. However, the award of this contract by the Indian Health Service suggests that they met the agency's minimum requirements or were deemed the most suitable source under the circumstances of the procurement.

How does the $643,900 contract value compare to similar HHS contracts for technical services?

Comparing the $643,900 contract value for CT/XRAY technician services requires context regarding the duration and scope. This contract is for approximately 147 days (roughly 5 months). If Anders Group LLC is providing multiple technicians or covering extensive hours, the total value might be reasonable. For instance, if the daily rate is around $4,380 (total value divided by duration), this could be competitive for specialized medical staffing, especially in a potentially underserved area like Pine Ridge, SD. However, without knowing the exact number of technicians, their skill levels, and the specific hours/shifts covered, a direct comparison to other HHS contracts is difficult. Contracts for similar, but perhaps less specialized or longer-term, technical services could range significantly. A more precise comparison would involve analyzing per-diem rates for similar roles within the Indian Health Service or other HHS operating divisions.

What are the risks associated with a 'not available for competition' award for essential medical services?

Awarding essential medical services on a 'not available for competition' basis carries several risks. Primarily, it limits the government's ability to leverage market competition to achieve the best possible pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. It also reduces the pool of potential providers, which could mean the selected contractor may not be the most qualified or innovative option available. Furthermore, over-reliance on sole-source or limited-competition contracts can decrease overall market responsiveness and potentially create vendor lock-in. For critical services like diagnostic imaging, a lack of competition could also pose a risk if the sole provider experiences operational issues, potentially disrupting patient care. Robust justification and documentation are crucial to ensure such awards are truly necessary and in the government's best interest.

What is the historical spending pattern for CT/XRAY technician services by the Indian Health Service?

Historical spending patterns for CT/XRAY technician services by the Indian Health Service (IHS) are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to examine IHS's procurement history over several fiscal years, looking for contracts specifically for diagnostic imaging technicians, radiology technologists, or similar roles. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for relevant contract actions, filtering by agency (IHS), product/service codes (e.g., related to medical equipment operation or temporary staffing), and contract types. Understanding historical spending would reveal trends in contract values, competition levels, and the primary contractors utilized. This context is crucial for evaluating whether the current $643,900 award represents an increase, decrease, or is consistent with past investments in similar services.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 105 DECKER CT STE 600, IRVING, TX, 75062

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $643,900

Exercised Options: $643,900

Current Obligation: $643,900

Actual Outlays: $240,646

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline