NCPTSD Survey Analysis Services

This Master IDIQ from the Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters, awarded on May 7, 2018, for survey analysis services supporting the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is closed to new ordering as of September 6, 2019, and no longer available for pursuit.

The vehicle established a $4.56 million shared ceiling to fund nationwide surveys examining violence across the lifespan, health impacts, and program effectiveness of NCPTSD online products including the PTSD Decision Aid and VetChange, as well as evaluation of evidence-based educational materials. All 28 awarded task orders carried no set-aside designation.

The ordering period closed nearly seven years ago. Of the 28 task orders issued, the most recent was awarded on August 29, 2022, representing closeout activity and de-obligations rather than new work. The vehicle's combined potential value across all orders was $4.2 million, with $4.1 million obligated (96% consumption). Ordering momentum declined sharply after 2018, when 10 orders were placed; 2019 saw 3 orders, 2020 saw 5, 2021 saw 3, and 2022 saw only 1.

Competition was concentrated among three firms. Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC held 8 orders valued at $1.9 million; Altarum Institute held 6 orders valued at $1.8 million; and Westat, Inc. held 3 orders valued at $464 thousand. These three firms captured 71% of task orders by count and 100% of potential value by ranking. Ten additional contractors shared the remaining orders at minimal values, with several receiving only $2.5 thousand minimum guarantees in the initial 2018 tranche.

Customer concentration was extreme: VA Headquarters accounted for 26 of 28 orders valued at $4.1 million, with only 2 orders totaling $138 thousand directed to VA Veterans Integrated Service Network 1. Task orders ranged from firm fixed-price minimum guarantees of $2.5 thousand to larger evaluations such as the $757.7 thousand survey analysis services order awarded to Altarum Institute in September 2017. Typical substantive orders fell in the $200–$380 thousand range over 12–15-month performance periods.

The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD) has a requirement to conduct multiple nationwide surveys. One of the surveys will examine the effect of violence across the lifespan and the association with health and functioning. Others will evaluate existing NCPTSD products like the PTSD Decision Aid or VetChange and the impact these online programs have on the user. Others will look to support evidence-based practices by evaluating educational products in order to continually improve their quality and effectiveness.