VA's $62.7M External Peer Review Program Contract with Quality Insights, Inc. Awarded via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $62,720,115 ($62.7M)

Contractor: Quality Insights, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2015-03-30

End Date: 2020-09-29

Contract Duration: 2,010 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - EXTERNAL PEER REVIEW PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: CHARLESTON, KANAWHA County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25304

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $62.7 million to QUALITY INSIGHTS, INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - EXTERNAL PEER REVIEW PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract value is substantial at $62.7 million over its five-year period. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The sector is Professional Organizations, supporting healthcare quality initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the VA. Benchmarking against similar peer review contracts is difficult without specific service details, but the overall value appears reasonable for a multi-year, large-scale program.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award likely resulted in a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Enhances the quality of healthcare services provided by the VA through independent expert reviews. Supports the VA's mission to provide comprehensive healthcare to veterans. The program's success relies on the expertise and impartiality of the peer reviewers. Potential for improved patient outcomes and reduced medical errors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is long (5 years), potentially leading to vendor lock-in or missed opportunities for renegotiation.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to assess effectiveness beyond contract completion.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Supports a critical government function (healthcare quality).

Sector Analysis

The Professional Organizations sector encompasses entities that provide specialized services and expertise. For the VA, this contract likely supports quality assurance and improvement initiatives within its healthcare system, aligning with industry standards for medical peer review.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. Given the nature and scale of the contract, it is likely that larger, established firms were the primary bidders.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's oversight would typically involve the VA's program management office ensuring Quality Insights, Inc. meets performance requirements and adheres to contract terms. Regular reporting and performance reviews are standard oversight mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

Professional Organizations
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration.
Potential for reviewer attrition or shortages.
Dependence on contractor's quality assurance processes.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics without further data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $62.7 million to QUALITY INSIGHTS, INC. IGF::OT::IGF - EXTERNAL PEER REVIEW PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is QUALITY INSIGHTS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $62.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-03-30. End: 2020-09-29.

What specific metrics are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the external peer review program in improving healthcare quality?

The effectiveness of the external peer review program is likely evaluated through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics. These could include reductions in adverse events, improvements in adherence to clinical guidelines, positive feedback from VA medical facilities, and the timeliness and thoroughness of review reports. The contract itself may specify key performance indicators (KPIs) that Quality Insights, Inc. must meet to ensure program success and accountability.

What is the potential risk of Quality Insights, Inc. not having sufficient qualified peer reviewers for the duration of the contract?

The risk of insufficient qualified reviewers is moderate. Quality Insights, Inc., as a professional organization, should have established networks and recruitment processes. However, maintaining a consistent pool of specialized medical experts can be challenging. The VA should have contractual clauses requiring the contractor to demonstrate reviewer qualifications and contingency plans for reviewer shortages to mitigate this risk.

How does this contract contribute to the VA's overall mission of providing high-quality healthcare to veterans?

This contract directly contributes to the VA's mission by ensuring an objective, external assessment of the quality of care provided. External peer review helps identify areas for improvement, validate best practices, and maintain high standards across VA facilities. This process is crucial for building trust and confidence in the VA healthcare system among veterans and the public.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations › Professional Organizations

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: VA701-14-R-0177

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Quality Insights Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 961898439)

Address: 3001 CHESTERFIELD AVE, CHARLESTON, WV, 25304

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $80,621,341

Exercised Options: $62,720,115

Current Obligation: $62,720,115

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $22,377,372

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline