DoD's $17.2M contract for clinical quality management and healthcare risk support awarded to Agile Decision Sciences, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,228,035 ($17.2M)

Contractor: Agile Decision Sciences, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-09-28

End Date: 2026-09-27

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CLINICAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT HEALTHCARE RISK MANAGEMENT AND LEGAL MEDICINE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.2 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: CLINICAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT HEALTHCARE RISK MANAGEMENT AND LEGAL MEDICINE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for clinical quality management and healthcare risk mitigation. 2. Awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 3. The contract duration of 1460 days suggests a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. Services are critical for ensuring patient safety and compliance within the Defense Health Agency. 5. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code indicates a broad scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services provided and comparable contracts. The fixed-price nature of the contract offers some cost certainty, but the lack of competition could lead to suboptimal pricing. Further analysis would be needed to compare the per-unit cost of specific deliverables against industry standards or historical data for similar support services within the DHA.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or qualifications required for the service. The absence of multiple bidders limits the government's ability to leverage competitive pricing and potentially explore innovative solutions from a wider pool of contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not benefit from the price reductions typically achieved through competitive bidding processes.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include military personnel and their families receiving healthcare services through the Defense Health Agency. Services delivered will enhance the quality and safety of healthcare provided within the DoD. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting various military treatment facilities. Workforce implications may involve specialized professionals in healthcare management, risk assessment, and legal medicine.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award raises concerns about the availability of alternative solutions or potential cost savings.
Scope of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could be broad, making performance monitoring crucial.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses critical areas of clinical quality and healthcare risk management.
Award to Agile Decision Sciences, LLC suggests they possess specialized expertise required by the DHA.
Fixed-price contract provides a degree of cost predictability for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on healthcare support. The market for such services is substantial, driven by the ongoing need for specialized expertise in areas like quality assurance, risk management, and regulatory compliance within large healthcare systems. The Defense Health Agency represents a significant client within this sector, often requiring unique capabilities due to the specific demands of military healthcare.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The award to Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, a single entity, suggests that small business participation may be limited unless they are subcontractors to the prime. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Defense Health Agency's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract performance reports and audits by the Inspector General's office would provide further oversight.

Related Government Programs

DoD Healthcare Services
Healthcare Quality Improvement Programs
Medical Risk Management Services
Professional and Technical Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Potential for cost overruns without competition
Broad scope of services requires diligent oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.2 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC. CLINICAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT HEALTHCARE RISK MANAGEMENT AND LEGAL MEDICINE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-28. End: 2026-09-27.

What specific services are included under 'Clinical Quality Management, Healthcare Risk Management, and Legal Medicine Program Management Support Services'?

The provided data offers a high-level description of the contract's purpose. Specific services likely encompass a range of activities aimed at improving healthcare quality, identifying and mitigating risks within clinical settings, and providing support related to legal aspects of healthcare delivery. This could include developing and implementing quality improvement initiatives, conducting risk assessments, analyzing adverse events, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, and offering expertise in medical-legal matters. Detailed statements of work within the contract would further delineate these specific deliverables and performance metrics.

How does the $17.2 million contract value compare to similar contracts for healthcare support services within the DoD?

Direct comparison of the $17.2 million contract value to similar DoD healthcare support services is difficult without more granular data on the scope and duration of comparable contracts. However, for large federal healthcare systems like the Defense Health Agency, contracts in the multi-million dollar range for specialized program management and support services are not uncommon. The value reflects the complexity and criticality of managing quality and risk in a large-scale healthcare operation. Benchmarking against contracts for similar services, such as quality assurance or risk management consulting, would provide a more precise assessment of value for money.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, the government may not secure the most cost-effective solution. Additionally, there's a risk that the government might miss out on innovative approaches or technologies that other vendors could offer. Ensuring the contractor's performance meets expectations and that the pricing is fair and reasonable becomes paramount, requiring robust oversight and negotiation from the contracting agency.

What is the track record of Agile Decision Sciences, LLC in providing similar services to the federal government?

Information regarding Agile Decision Sciences, LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, particularly in clinical quality management and healthcare risk support, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), other federal contract awards, and their demonstrated experience in similar projects. Understanding their history with the Defense Health Agency or other healthcare-related agencies would be particularly relevant to gauge their capability and reliability for this specific contract.

How does the fixed-price contract type influence cost control and contractor performance?

A fixed-price contract type, like the one awarded here, establishes a ceiling price for the work. This shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage their expenses efficiently to maximize profit. For the government, it provides cost predictability. However, it can also lead contractors to potentially cut corners on quality or scope if not carefully monitored. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor meets all performance requirements within the agreed-upon price.

What is the expected impact of this contract on healthcare quality and patient safety within the Defense Health Agency?

This contract is expected to have a positive impact on healthcare quality and patient safety by providing specialized program management support. The focus on clinical quality management and healthcare risk management directly addresses key areas for improvement. By ensuring robust processes are in place for monitoring quality metrics, identifying potential risks, and implementing corrective actions, the contract aims to enhance the overall standard of care delivered to military beneficiaries and reduce the likelihood of adverse events.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: HT001122R0055

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 350 VOYAGER WAY STE 100B, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,771,353

Exercised Options: $17,228,035

Current Obligation: $17,228,035

Actual Outlays: $1,088,418

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $3,545,264

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline