HHS Awards $10.75M for Veterinary Services to Priority One Services, Inc. Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,749,753 ($10.7M)

Contractor: Priority ONE Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2003-01-01

End Date: 2008-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,946 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: 200-2003-00989 - PRIORITY ONE

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30329, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.7 million to PRIORITY ONE SERVICES, INC. for work described as: 200-2003-00989 - PRIORITY ONE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Priority One Services, Inc. for veterinary services. 2. The contract was secured through full and open competition. 3. The total award value is $10.75 million. 4. The contract duration is 1946 days. 5. The contract was awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.75 million over approximately 5.3 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar veterinary service contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the full and open competition method implies a competitive pricing environment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were allowed to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to yield a fair price for taxpayers by leveraging market forces.

Public Impact

Ensures continued availability of essential veterinary services for public health initiatives. Supports the CDC's mission in disease surveillance and prevention. Provides stability for the awarded vendor, Priority One Services, Inc. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively bid.
Geographic concentration of services (Georgia) might limit broader reach if not managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Long contract duration indicates a stable and potentially cost-effective solution.
Supports critical public health functions of the CDC.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically veterinary services. The annual spend of approximately $2 million is within a reasonable range for specialized services supporting a federal agency like the CDC, depending on the scope.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that the awarded vendor, Priority One Services, Inc., is not a small business (ss: false). Therefore, this contract did not directly contribute to small business set-aside goals.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under a 'GA' (General Services Administration) type, suggesting it may have been processed through GSA schedules or similar oversight mechanisms. Further review of the specific GSA contract vehicle would clarify oversight details.

Related Government Programs

Veterinary Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.
Limited information on performance metrics.
Lack of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.7 million to PRIORITY ONE SERVICES, INC.. 200-2003-00989 - PRIORITY ONE

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 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-01-01. End: 2008-04-30.

What specific veterinary services are included in this contract, and how do they align with the CDC's current public health priorities?

The provided data only specifies 'Veterinary Services' under NAICS code 541940. To understand the alignment with CDC priorities, a detailed review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) is required. This would outline services such as animal disease surveillance, laboratory testing, research support, or emergency response related to zoonotic diseases, ensuring they directly support the CDC's mission.

How does the pricing structure (Firm Fixed Price) compare to industry benchmarks for similar veterinary services, considering the contract's duration?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract aims to provide price certainty. To assess its competitiveness, the negotiated price per unit or service needs to be compared against market rates for comparable veterinary services over the 1946-day period. Factors like specialized expertise, geographic location, and the volume of services would influence this benchmark comparison.

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

Effectiveness and quality are typically ensured through performance standards outlined in the contract's SOW, regular performance reviews by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and established payment milestones tied to deliverables. The government likely has processes for monitoring service delivery, addressing deficiencies, and potentially withholding payment if performance standards are not met.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 2002N00512

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6600 FLEET DR, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22310

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $95,808,792

Exercised Options: $95,808,792

Current Obligation: $10,749,753

Timeline