Medical Education Assistance Corporation

Medical Education Assistance Corporation, doing business as University Physician Practice Group (UPPG), is a state-controlled institution of higher learning registered to receive federal contract and grant awards since January 2004. As a non-profit organization, UPPG primarily provides specialized medical services to federal agencies, with a particular focus on supporting veterans' healthcare. The organization leverages its physician workforce to deliver cardiology and other medical services through various federal contracts and grants, demonstrating its commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and supporting medical education initiatives. UPPG's expertise in providing high-quality medical care, particularly in cardiology, has established it as a trusted partner for federal agencies seeking specialized healthcare services.

UPPG has been awarded multiple prime federal contracts by the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 9 (VA VHA VISN 9) to provide cardiology physician services. These contracts include a recent $1,134,700 firm-fixed-price delivery order awarded on October 1, 2024, for services to be performed through September 30, 2025. Another notable award is a $756,800 firm-fixed-price delivery order awarded on February 1, 2024, for services to be performed in Mountain Home, Tennessee, through September 2024. Additionally, UPPG received a $486,625 firm-fixed price purchase order on August 1, 2022, for similar services in Johnson City, Tennessee, with a one-year performance period. These contracts demonstrate UPPG's ongoing relationship with the VA and its expertise in providing specialized medical care to veterans. Notably, none of these contracts were designated as set-asides, indicating that UPPG competes for these opportunities in an unrestricted procurement environment.

In terms of federal grant sub-awards, UPPG has been involved in several significant projects. The organization participates in the Tennessee Heart Health Network (TN-HHN) project, a three-year statewide initiative aimed at improving heart health across Tennessee. This project, for which the University of Tennessee is the prime grantee, focuses on implementing evidence-based interventions to enhance cardiovascular disease care quality and outcomes, with a particular emphasis on hypertension control and smoking cessation. The project aims to reduce and eliminate disparities in cardiovascular disease outcomes and risks across the state. UPPG has also received sub-awards through the Tennessee Department of Health for family planning services, indicating its involvement in reproductive health programs. These grant-funded activities showcase UPPG's commitment to public health initiatives and its capacity to collaborate with state-level organizations to address critical health needs.

UPPG holds a significant Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDC) with the VA VHA VISN 9, awarded on February 1, 2024. This single-award IDC has a ceiling value of $5,673,500 and allows for task orders to be placed through January 31, 2029. The contract is specifically for cardiology physician services, aligning with UPPG's demonstrated expertise in this medical specialty. This IDV provides a framework for the VA to efficiently procure cardiology services from UPPG over an extended period, ensuring continuity of care for veterans and streamlining the contracting process for both parties. The substantial ceiling value and five-year duration of this IDC underscore the VA's confidence in UPPG's capabilities and the long-term nature of their partnership in delivering specialized healthcare services. Task orders under this IDV have been awarded by the VA VHA VISN 9, further solidifying UPPG's role as a key provider of cardiology services to the veteran population in the region.