HHS awards $3.6M for registered nurses in Arizona, with 9 task orders issued

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,602,916 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Four Winds Staffing LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-01-06

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 602 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FY 2025 OCU DEPARTMENT REGISTERED NURSES - PCN MD3611, PCN MD3620, PCN MD3642, PCN MD3643, PCN MD3644, PCN MD3645

Place of Performance

Location: CHINLE, APACHE County, ARIZONA, 86503

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.6 million to FOUR WINDS STAFFING LLC for work described as: FY 2025 OCU DEPARTMENT REGISTERED NURSES - PCN MD3611, PCN MD3620, PCN MD3642, PCN MD3643, PCN MD3644, PCN MD3645 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the need for specialized healthcare staffing. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially competitive bidding process for this contract. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear scope of work and defined period of performance. 4. Performance context is critical for ensuring adequate healthcare services in the region. 5. Sector positioning is within healthcare staffing, a vital component of public health. 6. The contract leverages existing service agreements for efficient procurement. 7. The use of multiple task orders suggests flexibility in meeting evolving needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $3.6 million for registered nurses over approximately 1.5 years appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized healthcare staffing services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for temporary nursing staff in federal agencies suggests that pricing is competitive, especially considering the geographic location and the specific requirements of the Indian Health Service. The structure of multiple task orders allows for phased funding and better cost control as needs are identified and met.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for smaller dollar value procurements. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP generally encourages multiple offers, leading to better price discovery and value for the government. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought to maximize competition within the constraints of the procurement process for this service.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the procurement under SAP likely resulted in cost savings for taxpayers by ensuring that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid, driving down prices.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include patients served by the Indian Health Service in Arizona, who will receive essential nursing care. Services delivered are temporary registered nursing support, crucial for maintaining healthcare operations. Geographic impact is focused on Arizona, addressing healthcare needs within the state. Workforce implications include providing employment opportunities for registered nurses through the awarded contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on temporary staff impacting long-term workforce stability.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across different nursing assignments.
Managing contractor performance to meet specific clinical and operational needs.

Positive Signals

Addresses immediate staffing shortages, ensuring continuity of care.
Provides flexibility to scale nursing services based on demand.
Leverages specialized staffing expertise from the private sector.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector is a critical component of the broader healthcare industry, characterized by high demand for skilled professionals. Federal agencies, particularly those providing direct patient care like the Indian Health Service, often utilize temporary staffing services to fill critical gaps, manage fluctuating workloads, and access specialized skills. Spending in this area is influenced by healthcare needs, workforce availability, and regulatory requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the variable nature of nursing services and geographic differences, but consistent investment in healthcare personnel is a sector-wide trend.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. However, the nature of temporary staffing services often allows for participation by small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized, which could provide avenues for small business engagement within this contract's performance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Indian Health Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the purchase order terms and conditions, requiring adherence to service level agreements and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Medical and Surgical Equipment
Department of Health and Human Services Temporary Staffing Services
Federal Healthcare Staffing Contracts
Arizona Healthcare Services Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for inconsistent quality of care due to temporary staffing.
Risk of increased costs if market rates fluctuate significantly.
Dependency on contractor performance for critical healthcare services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.6 million to FOUR WINDS STAFFING LLC. FY 2025 OCU DEPARTMENT REGISTERED NURSES - PCN MD3611, PCN MD3620, PCN MD3642, PCN MD3643, PCN MD3644, PCN MD3645

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 $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-06. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of FOUR WINDS STAFFING LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for healthcare staffing?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that FOUR WINDS STAFFING LLC has a history of performing contracts, including those related to staffing services. While specific details on past performance for similar healthcare staffing contracts with agencies like the Indian Health Service would require deeper investigation into past performance evaluations and contract histories, their presence as an awardee suggests they possess the capability to meet federal requirements. Analyzing their performance on previous contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in this domain.

How does the awarded price per labor hour compare to market rates for registered nurses in Arizona?

Determining the exact price per labor hour requires access to the specific rates within the task orders, which are not fully detailed in the provided data. However, the total award of $3.6 million over approximately 602 days (roughly 20 months) suggests an average daily expenditure of about $5,980. If we assume a standard 8-hour workday for nurses, this translates to roughly $747.50 per day per nurse, or approximately $93.44 per hour, assuming one nurse is continuously funded. This figure needs to be benchmarked against prevailing market rates for registered nurses in Arizona, considering specialty, experience, and shift differentials. Without specific task order details, a precise comparison is challenging, but this estimated hourly rate falls within the upper range of typical contract nursing rates, reflecting the specialized nature and potential demand.

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

The primary risks associated with relying on temporary staffing for critical nursing roles include potential inconsistencies in care quality due to varying levels of experience or familiarity with specific protocols, and challenges in building team cohesion and institutional knowledge. There's also a risk of increased turnover if temporary staff are not adequately supported or integrated, leading to continuous recruitment and onboarding efforts. Furthermore, over-reliance on temporary staff can sometimes mask underlying issues with permanent staffing levels or workplace conditions, potentially impacting long-term workforce stability and morale. Ensuring robust vetting, training, and supervision processes for temporary nurses is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected impact of these nursing services on patient care within the Indian Health Service facilities in Arizona?

The expected impact of these nursing services on patient care within the Indian Health Service facilities in Arizona is significant and positive. By providing registered nurses, the contract directly addresses potential staffing shortages that could otherwise lead to delays in treatment, reduced access to care, or increased workload on existing staff. This influx of qualified nursing personnel is crucial for maintaining the quality and continuity of patient care, ensuring that essential medical services are delivered promptly and effectively. The services will support a range of patient needs, from routine care to more complex medical interventions, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for the patient population served by the IHS in Arizona.

How does this contract align with broader federal strategies for healthcare delivery and workforce management?

This contract aligns with broader federal strategies by addressing critical healthcare workforce needs within a specific region and agency. The Indian Health Service's mission is to provide comprehensive health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives, and ensuring adequate staffing of registered nurses is fundamental to achieving this. The use of temporary staffing services reflects a flexible approach to workforce management, allowing the agency to respond to fluctuating demands and immediate needs without the long-term commitment of permanent hires. This strategy can be particularly effective in areas facing nursing shortages or in supporting specific public health initiatives, thereby contributing to the overall federal goal of improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved populations.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › NURSING, NURSING HOME, EVAL/SCREEN

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: IHS5425050_IHS5425051_IHS

Offers Received: 9

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: $3,602,916

Exercised Options: $3,602,916

Current Obligation: $3,602,916

Actual Outlays: $1,106,631

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline