HHS awards $7.96M for Veterinary Services to Priority One Services, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,962,226 ($8.0M)

Contractor: Priority ONE Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2019-08-12

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 2,392 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PRIORITY ONE SERVICES INC:1108007 [25-002035]

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $8.0 million to PRIORITY ONE SERVICES, INC. for work described as: PRIORITY ONE SERVICES INC:1108007 [25-002035] Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration is substantial, spanning over 6 years. 3. The agency is the Department of Health and Human Services (NIH). 4. The vendor is Priority One Services, Inc., a small business is not indicated. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials contract type, coupled with a long duration, raises concerns about potential cost overruns if not closely monitored. Benchmarking against similar veterinary service contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value through market forces. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of essential veterinary services for NIH research and animal care. Supports the operational needs of a major federal health agency. Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials contract type.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type
Long contract duration (over 6 years)
Lack of specific cost data for benchmarking

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Awarded to a single vendor for specialized services

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically veterinary services. Spending in this category is crucial for supporting research and development across various federal agencies. Benchmarks for veterinary services can vary significantly based on specialization and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that Priority One Services, Inc. is not a small business. Therefore, this contract does not appear to directly support small business set-aside goals.

Oversight & Accountability

The Time and Materials contract type necessitates robust oversight from the Department of Health and Human Services to manage costs effectively and ensure that services are delivered efficiently and within budget. Regular performance reviews and cost audits are critical.

Related Government Programs

Veterinary Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility for future procurements.
Lack of specific cost data makes independent benchmarking difficult.
Contractor is not a small business, missing small business utilization opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $8.0 million to PRIORITY ONE SERVICES, INC.. PRIORITY ONE SERVICES INC:1108007 [25-002035]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRIORITY ONE SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-08-12. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the estimated cost per hour or per service unit for the veterinary services provided under this contract?

The provided data does not include a specific per-unit cost or hourly rate. The contract is structured as Time and Materials, meaning costs are based on the actual labor hours and materials used. Without detailed breakdowns or historical data, it's challenging to establish a precise per-unit cost benchmark. Further analysis would require access to the contract's detailed pricing structure and task orders.

How does the total contract value of $7.96 million compare to similar veterinary service contracts awarded by federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $7.96 million contract against similar veterinary service contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. Factors like the specific services rendered (e.g., research support, animal care, specialized diagnostics), contract duration, and geographic location significantly influence pricing. However, for a multi-year contract supporting a major agency like NIH, this value appears within a plausible range, assuming comprehensive service delivery.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of veterinary services provided by Priority One Services, Inc. under this contract?

Effectiveness and quality are typically ensured through performance standards outlined in the contract, regular performance evaluations by the contracting officer's representative (COR), and adherence to established veterinary protocols and ethical guidelines. The Department of Health and Human Services likely has specific quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs) to monitor the contractor's performance and ensure compliance with all requirements, including animal welfare standards.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Veterinary Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6600 FLEET DR, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22310

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,962,226

Exercised Options: $7,962,226

Current Obligation: $7,962,226

Actual Outlays: $1,608,975

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98019D00048

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline