Military and Family Life Counseling Program contract awarded to MHN Government Services for over $31M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,261,789 ($31.3M)

Contractor: MHN Government Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2018-07-13

End Date: 2019-05-14

Contract Duration: 305 days

Daily Burn Rate: $102.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: MILITARY AND FAMILY LIFE COUNSELING PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: SAN RAFAEL, MARIN County, CALIFORNIA, 94901

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $31.3 million to MHN GOVERNMENT SERVICES LLC for work described as: MILITARY AND FAMILY LIFE COUNSELING PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract value of $31.26 million represents a significant investment in support services. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract were full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 4. The time and materials pricing structure warrants scrutiny for cost control and efficiency. 5. Performance context is linked to individual and family services, highlighting a focus on well-being. 6. The contract's duration of 305 days suggests a focused, short-term service delivery period.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $31.26 million contract is challenging without direct comparisons to similar, recent military family support programs. The time and materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. The awarded amount appears substantial for a 305-day period, suggesting either high per-unit service costs or a broad scope of services. Further analysis of the specific services delivered and the number of individuals served would be necessary to definitively assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This typically fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The fact that it was a delivery order suggests it was placed against an existing IDIQ contract that itself was competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a level playing field for contractors, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

Military personnel and their families are the primary beneficiaries, receiving crucial counseling and support services. The services delivered aim to enhance the well-being and resilience of military families. The contract was awarded to a vendor operating in California, suggesting a potential geographic focus or administrative base. The program supports the overall readiness and retention of military personnel by addressing family needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and materials pricing can lead to unpredictable costs if not closely monitored.
The specific scope of services and deliverables are not detailed, making it difficult to assess performance against expectations.
Limited contract duration may indicate a need for follow-on contracts, requiring continuous oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract addresses a critical need for military family support, contributing to personnel well-being.
The contractor, MHN Government Services LLC, likely has experience in providing such services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Other Individual and Family Services' sector, which is a niche but vital part of the human services industry. The market for government-contracted support services for military families is specialized, often requiring specific security clearances and understanding of military culture. While specific market size data for this sub-sector is not readily available, the consistent government investment in military readiness and family support indicates a stable demand.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. The contract was awarded to MHN Government Services LLC, which is likely a larger entity. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not specified in the provided data, but could exist if MHN utilizes them to deliver services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program managers within the Department of the Interior's 'Departmental Offices' or the specific agency utilizing the services. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and delivery order terms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Military Family Readiness Programs
TRICARE Mental Health Services
Department of Defense Family Support Services
Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Lack of specific performance metrics in award data requires review of associated documentation.
Geographic scope and reach of services not fully detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $31.3 million to MHN GOVERNMENT SERVICES LLC. MILITARY AND FAMILY LIFE COUNSELING PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MHN GOVERNMENT SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-07-13. End: 2019-05-14.

What specific counseling services are covered under this contract, and what is the expected volume of service delivery?

The provided data indicates the contract is for the 'MILITARY AND FAMILY LIFE COUNSELING PROGRAM' and falls under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 624190 for 'Other Individual and Family Services.' However, the specific types of counseling (e.g., individual, couples, family, crisis intervention, financial counseling) and the expected volume (e.g., number of sessions, hours of service, number of individuals served) are not detailed in the award information. This level of detail is typically found in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) associated with the contract. Without the PWS/SOW, it's impossible to quantify the exact services delivered or the expected reach of the program under this specific delivery order.

How does the awarded amount of $31.26 million compare to historical spending on similar military family counseling programs?

Comparing this $31.26 million award requires access to historical spending data for comparable military family counseling programs. The Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are major providers of such services. For instance, the DoD's Military OneSource program offers a wide range of support, and its budget fluctuates annually. The VA's mental health services budget is also substantial. Without specific comparative contract data or program budgets for similar initiatives over the past several years, it's difficult to definitively state whether this award is higher, lower, or in line with historical spending. However, given the broad scope implied by 'Military and Family Life Counseling,' the amount suggests a significant program.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of the Military and Family Life Counseling Program under this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract like the Military and Family Life Counseling Program typically focus on service accessibility, client satisfaction, and impact on well-being. Common KPIs might include: 1) Response time for appointment scheduling, 2) Client satisfaction survey scores, 3) Reduction in reported stress or mental health issues among participants, 4) Program utilization rates (e.g., number of unique individuals or families served), and 5) Retention rates of military personnel. The specific KPIs would be defined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). The success of MHN Government Services LLC would be measured against these predefined metrics, potentially impacting future contract awards.

What is the track record of MHN Government Services LLC in delivering similar government contracts, particularly in the health and human services sector?

MHN Government Services LLC is a known entity in providing behavioral health services. As a subsidiary of Health Net Federal Services, LLC, it has a history of managing large-scale health programs for government entities, including the military. Their experience often encompasses managing networks of providers, offering telehealth services, and providing mental health support. Publicly available contract databases (like FPDS) would show a history of awards to MHN Government Services and its affiliates for various health-related services, including those for military personnel and their families. A thorough review of their past performance ratings and any past performance issues would be necessary for a complete assessment.

Given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, what measures are in place to control costs and prevent overruns?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, while offering flexibility, inherently carry a risk of cost overruns if not managed stringently. For this contract, cost control measures would typically include: 1) A ceiling price that the contractor cannot exceed without modification. 2) Detailed reporting requirements for labor hours and material costs. 3) Government oversight to verify the necessity and reasonableness of hours worked and materials used. 4) Defined labor categories with pre-negotiated hourly rates. 5) Regular reviews and audits of invoices. The contracting officer and program managers are responsible for actively monitoring expenditures against the ceiling and ensuring that all work performed is necessary and directly related to the contract's objectives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Individual and Family Services › Other Individual and Family Services

Product/Service Code: SOCIAL SERVICES › SOCIAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Centene Corporation

Address: 2370 KERNER BLVD, SAN RAFAEL, CA, 94901

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $243,456,401

Exercised Options: $48,895,151

Current Obligation: $31,261,789

Actual Outlays: $-42,863

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0418D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline