HHS Awards $353K for Clinical Laboratory Scientist Services in New Mexico

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $353,200 ($353.2K)

Contractor: Four Winds Staffing LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-05-23

End Date: 2026-07-09

Contract Duration: 777 days

Daily Burn Rate: $455/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

Place of Performance

Location: SHIPROCK, SAN JUAN County, NEW MEXICO, 87420

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $353,200 to FOUR WINDS STAFFING LLC for work described as: CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST Key points: 1. The contract is for temporary help services, specifically clinical laboratory scientists. 2. Four Winds Staffing LLC is the awarded contractor. 3. The contract duration is 777 days, ending in July 2026. 4. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 5. The total award value is $353,200.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $353,200 over approximately two years for specialized scientific personnel appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar temporary staffing contracts for scientific roles would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process was intended. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a broad range of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is designed to secure services at a fair market price, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure.

Public Impact

Ensures continued access to essential clinical laboratory services for healthcare facilities. Supports public health initiatives by maintaining laboratory operational capacity. Provides specialized scientific personnel to meet critical healthcare needs. Contributes to the operational readiness of the Indian Health Service facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price creep if labor market rates increase significantly.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical scientific staffing.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process likely secured a reasonable rate.
Contract duration provides stability for service provision.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional and management support services sector, specifically temporary help services. Benchmarks for similar scientific staffing contracts can vary widely based on specialization and location.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in the competition or subcontracting. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded through a competitive process, which implies a level of oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of performance and pricing is crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Temporary Help Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Indian Health Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if labor market rates increase.
Risk of service disruption if contractor fails to meet staffing needs.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
Dependence on contractor's ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $353,200 to FOUR WINDS STAFFING LLC. CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOUR WINDS STAFFING 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 $353,200.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-23. End: 2026-07-09.

What is the average hourly rate for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in New Mexico?

The average hourly rate for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in New Mexico can vary based on experience, specific certifications, and geographic location within the state. General market data suggests a range, but without specific contract details like the number of hours or specific skill sets required, a precise benchmark is difficult. This contract's total value and duration would need to be divided by the estimated hours to derive an effective hourly rate for comparison.

What are the risks associated with relying on temporary staffing for critical scientific roles?

Relying on temporary staffing for critical scientific roles carries risks such as potential inconsistency in service quality, challenges in knowledge transfer and retention, and increased administrative overhead for managing multiple contracts or vendors. There's also a risk of higher turnover compared to permanent staff, which can disrupt operations and impact team cohesion. Ensuring robust vetting and clear performance expectations is vital.

How does the 'exclusion of sources' clause impact the competitive landscape and pricing?

The 'exclusion of sources' clause, when used in conjunction with 'full and open competition,' typically means that while the competition is open, certain pre-qualified or specific types of sources are considered, or others are explicitly excluded based on defined criteria. This can narrow the competitive pool compared to unrestricted full and open competition, potentially impacting price discovery. The justification for exclusion is critical to ensure it doesn't unduly limit competition or inflate prices.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL/ MEDICAL SUPPORT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: IHS1483221_23_24

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3508 GREYSTONE COURT, MCKINNEY, TX, 75072

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $353,200

Exercised Options: $353,200

Current Obligation: $353,200

Actual Outlays: $233,595

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline