HHS awards $42.2M contract for state capacity building, with ICF Incorporated as prime
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $42,190,640 ($42.2M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2022-09-30
End Date: 2025-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $38.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: STATE CAPACITY BUILDING CENTER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $42.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: STATE CAPACITY BUILDING CENTER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 3. The contract duration is 1095 days, spanning three years. 4. The primary agency is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 5. The contract is a firm-fixed-price type, indicating predictable costs. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $42.2 million over three years for technical assistance and capacity building appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar consulting contracts for federal agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges for comprehensive support services. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost predictability for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple potential bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a competitive environment that should drive fair pricing and selection of qualified offerors. This approach maximizes the government's ability to find the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive marketplace, which tends to lead to more cost-effective solutions and a wider pool of innovative approaches.
Public Impact
State and local governments will benefit from enhanced capacity building and technical assistance. Services delivered will likely improve the administration and management of various public programs. The geographic impact is national, supporting states across the U.S. The contract supports the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within HHS. Workforce implications include potential support for government program staff and contractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
- Long-term duration allows for sustained program support.
- Contract supports critical state capacity building initiatives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. This sector is a significant area of federal spending, supporting a wide range of government functions. Comparable spending in this category often involves large, multi-year contracts aimed at improving government efficiency and program delivery.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the prime contractor, ICF Incorporated, will likely manage the entire scope of work. Further review would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the execution of this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the Administration for Children and Families. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, existing oversight mechanisms for that vehicle would apply. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance monitoring details are not publicly detailed.
Related Government Programs
- State Administration
- Federal Technical Assistance Programs
- Child Welfare Services
- Public Health Administration
- Government Management Consulting
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep
- Contractor performance variability
- State-level adoption challenges
- Changes in federal policy priorities
Tags
hhs, administration-for-children-and-families, consulting-services, technical-assistance, capacity-building, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, virginia, administrative-management, general-management
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $42.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. STATE CAPACITY BUILDING CENTER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Administration for Children and Families).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $42.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2025-09-29.
What is the track record of ICF Incorporated in delivering similar federal consulting services?
ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. has a substantial track record of performing federal contracts, particularly within the health and human services sectors. They frequently engage in providing technical assistance, program management, and consulting services to various government agencies, including HHS. Their past performance often involves large-scale projects focused on improving public services, research, and policy implementation. While specific details of past performance on identical projects require deeper analysis of contract databases and performance reports, ICF's general profile suggests they are a capable provider for this type of work. Their experience likely includes managing complex stakeholder relationships, delivering data-driven insights, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
How does the awarded value compare to similar state capacity building contracts?
The awarded value of approximately $42.2 million over three years for the State Capacity Building Center Technical Assistance contract is within a reasonable range for comprehensive federal consulting and technical assistance initiatives. Benchmarking against similar contracts awarded by agencies like HHS, ACF, or other departments supporting state-level program improvement reveals that contracts of this nature, involving broad management consulting and capacity building, often fall within the tens of millions of dollars. Factors influencing this value include the scope of services, the number of states or programs supported, the duration of the contract, and the level of expertise required. Without specific details on the exact deliverables and target populations, a precise comparison is difficult, but the overall magnitude aligns with expectations for such a significant federal program.
What are the primary risks associated with this type of consulting contract?
Primary risks for this type of consulting contract include potential scope creep, where the project's objectives expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the contractor's ability to effectively translate technical assistance into tangible capacity improvements for states, which can be influenced by state-level buy-in and resource availability. Performance risk also exists, where the quality or timeliness of deliverables may not meet expectations. Furthermore, changes in federal policy or administration could impact the program's direction and the services required. Ensuring clear communication, robust performance metrics, and adaptive management strategies are crucial to mitigating these risks.
How effective is the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in managing technical assistance contracts?
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has a long history of managing technical assistance contracts to support its mission of promoting the economic and social well-being of families, children, youth, and communities. ACF typically employs a range of oversight mechanisms, including performance work statements, regular progress reports, and site visits, to ensure contract effectiveness. Their experience in this domain suggests a mature understanding of the challenges and best practices in delivering technical assistance. However, the effectiveness of any specific contract is contingent on numerous factors, including the clarity of objectives, the contractor's performance, and the receptiveness of the state agencies receiving the assistance. Historical data and Inspector General reports related to ACF contracts would provide a more granular assessment of their management effectiveness.
What has been the historical spending trend for administrative management and general management consulting services by HHS?
Historical spending by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS code 541611) has been substantial and generally increasing over the years, reflecting the complexity and breadth of federal health and human services programs. HHS relies heavily on external expertise to navigate policy changes, implement new initiatives, improve operational efficiency, and provide technical assistance to grantees and state agencies. While specific year-over-year figures fluctuate based on agency priorities and budget allocations, the overall trend indicates a consistent and significant investment in these types of services. This spending supports a wide array of functions, from strategic planning and organizational development to IT consulting and program evaluation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 75ACF122Q00033
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.
Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLAZA, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $42,190,640
Exercised Options: $42,190,640
Current Obligation: $42,190,640
Actual Outlays: $42,098,951
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 5
Total Subaward Amount: $2,261,476
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F010CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-30
Current End Date: 2025-09-29
Potential End Date: 2025-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-07
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