HHS awards $3.66M for nursing services at Phoenix Indian Medical Center to Four Winds Staffing LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,655,893 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Four Winds Staffing LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-01-26

End Date: 2027-02-14

Contract Duration: 1,480 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL NURSING AND RELATED SERVICES FOR PHOENIX INDIAN MEDICAL CENTER (PIMC) IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA. SHIFT TIMES AND SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF THE PATIENT POPULATION AND HOSPITAL/CLI

Place of Performance

Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85016

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.7 million to FOUR WINDS STAFFING LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL NURSING AND RELATED SERVICES FOR PHOENIX INDIAN MEDICAL CENTER (PIMC) IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA. SHIFT TIMES AND SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF THE PATIENT POPULATION AND HOSPITAL/CLI Key points: 1. The contract aims to ensure continuous professional nursing care for the Phoenix Indian Medical Center. 2. The award is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, indicating a clear scope and cost structure. 3. The duration of the contract is approximately 1480 days, spanning from January 2023 to February 2027. 4. The services provided are crucial for maintaining healthcare operations and patient care at the facility. 5. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 6. The geographic location of service delivery is Phoenix, Arizona, directly impacting local healthcare resources.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.66 million over approximately four years for nursing services at a federal medical center appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for nursing support in the region would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the specific rates for nursing services would need to be compared to market averages for similar qualifications and experience to fully assess pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often between 2 and 7. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP is designed for procurements below certain thresholds, aiming for efficiency. The limited competition under SAP may result in less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition, but it ensures a timely award for essential services.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can mean slightly higher prices than what might be achieved through a broader bidding process. However, the efficiency gains and faster service delivery for critical healthcare needs can also represent value.

Public Impact

Patients at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center will benefit from consistent and professional nursing care. The contract ensures the availability of essential healthcare services, particularly nursing, for the local population served by PIMC. The services are geographically focused within Phoenix, Arizona, supporting the healthcare infrastructure in that specific region. The contract supports the healthcare workforce by providing opportunities for nursing professionals through Four Winds Staffing LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases if market rates for nursing services rise significantly during the contract period.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical nursing services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The 'subject to change' nature of shift times and schedules could impact staffing flexibility and contractor resource allocation.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the agreement.
The contract duration of nearly four years offers stability in nursing service provision.
The award to a specific contractor ensures a dedicated resource for PIMC's nursing needs.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly the provision of specialized medical services like nursing, is a critical area of federal spending. This contract falls under the broader category of healthcare support services, which includes staffing and related medical assistance. The market for healthcare staffing is competitive, with numerous providers vying for government contracts. This specific award is for services at an Indian Health Service facility, highlighting a specialized segment within the federal healthcare procurement landscape.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if Four Winds Staffing LLC is considered a small business. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would require further information on the contractor's practices and the nature of the services provided. Without this data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Indian Health Service (IHS). Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and adherence to contract terms are expected to be managed by the contracting officer and their representatives. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, but specific oversight reports or Inspector General involvement would depend on performance issues or audits.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Contracts
Federal Nursing Services
Healthcare Staffing Contracts
Phoenix Medical Center Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor fails to maintain adequate staffing levels.
Risk of cost overruns if market rates for nursing services increase beyond contractor's projections.
Dependence on a single source for critical services could impact continuity of care if issues arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.7 million to FOUR WINDS STAFFING LLC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL NURSING AND RELATED SERVICES FOR PHOENIX INDIAN MEDICAL CENTER (PIMC) IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA. SHIFT TIMES AND SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF THE PATIENT POPULATION AND HOSPITAL/CLI

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 $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-01-26. End: 2027-02-14.

What is the track record of Four Winds Staffing LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Four Winds Staffing LLC in performing similar federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, any reported disputes or contract terminations, and the scope and value of previous awards to this contractor. Understanding their history with the Indian Health Service or other federal healthcare agencies would be particularly relevant to gauge their reliability and capability in fulfilling the requirements of this nursing services contract.

How does the per-hour or per-shift rate for nurses under this contract compare to market rates?

The provided data does not include the specific per-hour or per-shift rates for nursing services. To benchmark this against market rates, one would need to identify the types of nursing roles (e.g., RN, LPN, specialized nurses), the required qualifications, and the geographic location (Phoenix, AZ). Market data from healthcare staffing agencies or salary surveys for the Phoenix area would then be used for comparison. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the contractor likely factored in anticipated market rates and their own overhead when submitting their bid.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks include potential shortages of qualified nursing staff, fluctuations in market wages for nurses, and ensuring consistent quality of care. Mitigation strategies likely involve the contractor's established recruitment and retention programs, adherence to strict performance standards outlined in the contract, and the firm fixed-price structure which caps the government's financial exposure. The IHS contracting officers would also monitor performance and address any deficiencies promptly.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) competition in ensuring fair pricing for these nursing services?

SAP competition aims for efficiency and timely awards for procurements below certain thresholds. While it typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition, it can still yield competitive pricing if multiple capable vendors participate. The effectiveness in ensuring fair pricing depends on the number and quality of bids received. For essential services like nursing, SAP provides a balance between achieving reasonable prices and ensuring the rapid availability of critical support to the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.

What is the historical spending pattern for nursing services at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for nursing services at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center. To analyze this, one would need to examine previous contracts awarded for similar services at this facility, noting the contractors, contract values, durations, and competition levels. This would help identify trends in cost, service providers, and procurement strategies over time, providing context for the current $3.66 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Other Health Practitioners › Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 75H71223R00002

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $4,963,693

Exercised Options: $3,655,893

Current Obligation: $3,655,893

Actual Outlays: $1,732,653

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline