HHS awards $6.3M for locum provider services to Prairie Band Health Services Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,897,348 ($3.9M)
Contractor: Prairie Band Health Services Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2025-09-19
End Date: 2026-05-31
Contract Duration: 254 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.3K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BFSU PBHS LOCUM PROVIDER SERVICES 12.01.25 TO 08.31.26 BASE OBLIGATED AMOUNT: $2,046,528.80 AGGREGATE OBLIGATED AMOUNT: $6,302,767.20
Place of Performance
Location: BROWNING, GLACIER County, MONTANA, 59417
State: Montana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.9 million to PRAIRIE BAND HEALTH SERVICES INC for work described as: BFSU PBHS LOCUM PROVIDER SERVICES 12.01.25 TO 08.31.26 BASE OBLIGATED AMOUNT: $2,046,528.80 AGGREGATE OBLIGATED AMOUNT: $6,302,767.20 Key points: 1. The contract is for temporary help services, specifically locum provider support. 2. Prairie Band Health Services Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract utilizes a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure. 4. This award falls under the Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service. 5. The contract duration is 254 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The aggregate obligated amount of $6.3M for 254 days of locum services appears high when compared to typical temporary staffing rates. Further analysis of the specific services and provider levels is needed to confirm value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting limited competition. While SAP aims for fair and reasonable pricing, the lack of broad competition may limit price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for temporary staffing, which can be more expensive than permanent hires. Ensuring competitive pricing is crucial for maximizing taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Ensures continued healthcare services for a specific population by filling temporary provider gaps. Supports the Indian Health Service's mission to provide healthcare to Native Americans. Potential for increased healthcare access if locum providers fill critical shortages. The cost of temporary staffing could impact the overall budget for healthcare services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for overpayment due to limited competition under SAP.
- High cost of temporary staffing compared to permanent solutions.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.
Positive Signals
- Addresses immediate staffing needs to maintain service continuity.
- Utilizes a firm fixed-price contract to control costs.
- Supports a specific government agency's mission.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional and management support services sector, specifically temporary help services. Benchmarks for locum provider services can vary significantly based on specialty, location, and duration.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Prairie Band Health Services Inc., is not identified as a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were sought or subcontracted for this requirement.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) generally involves less formal oversight than larger procurements. However, the agency is still responsible for ensuring fair and reasonable pricing and contract performance.
Related Government Programs
- Temporary Help Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Indian Health Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition under SAP.
- High aggregate cost for temporary services.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if services are critical.
- Need for detailed service breakdown to validate pricing.
Tags
temporary-help-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, mt, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.9 million to PRAIRIE BAND HEALTH SERVICES INC. BFSU PBHS LOCUM PROVIDER SERVICES 12.01.25 TO 08.31.26 BASE OBLIGATED AMOUNT: $2,046,528.80 AGGREGATE OBLIGATED AMOUNT: $6,302,767.20
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PRAIRIE BAND HEALTH SERVICES INC.
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 $3.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-19. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the specific breakdown of services and provider types included in this contract, and how does the pricing compare to market rates for similar locum services?
The contract details do not specify the exact types of locum providers or their specialties. To assess value, a detailed breakdown of services is needed, alongside a comparison of the per-diem or hourly rates against industry benchmarks for similar roles in the region. This would help determine if the $6.3M aggregate amount is justified.
What efforts were made to ensure robust competition within the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) framework for this significant dollar amount?
While SAP allows for streamlined procurement, agencies should still strive for maximum practicable competition. It's important to understand if multiple quotes were solicited and evaluated, or if justifications for limited competition were documented. For a contract of this value, exploring broader competition or justification for sole-source/limited-source awards is critical for taxpayer protection.
How will the effectiveness of the locum provider services be measured to ensure they meet the Indian Health Service's needs and quality standards?
The effectiveness of locum providers should be monitored through performance metrics, patient feedback, and clinical outcome data where applicable. Regular performance reviews with Prairie Band Health Services Inc. are essential to ensure the providers are meeting the required standards of care and fulfilling the agency's mission objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 75H70925Q00005
Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 19035 US HIGHWAY 75, HOLTON, KS, 66436
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,025,467
Exercised Options: $3,897,348
Current Obligation: $3,897,348
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-19
Current End Date: 2026-05-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-25
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