HHS Awards $29.25M for IT Support of Knowledge Management Systems to Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,254,418 ($29.3M)

Contractor: Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SUPPORT FOR KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30329

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $29.3 million to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: IT SUPPORT FOR KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Creative IT Solutions, LLC for IT support. 2. The contract is for Computer Systems Design Services. 3. The total value is $29.25 million over five years. 4. The contract was not available for competition. 5. The agency is the Department of Health and Human Services (CDC).

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $29.25 million for five years of IT support for knowledge management systems appears high without a competitive bidding process. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comparable services is difficult due to the lack of competition and specific service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited competition approach. This lack of competition may have hindered price discovery and potentially led to a higher price than could have been achieved through a fully open bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible value for the $29.25 million expenditure.

Public Impact

Public health agencies rely on robust IT systems for knowledge management. This contract ensures continuity of critical IT support services. The significant investment highlights the importance of data management in public health. Lack of competition may mean less transparency in how funds are utilized.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Potential for overpricing due to lack of competition
Contract duration is long (5 years)

Positive Signals

Ensures continuity of essential IT services
Supports critical knowledge management functions

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is highly competitive, making the lack of competition for this $29.25 million contract notable. Benchmarks for similar IT support contracts vary widely based on scope and duration, but competitive bids typically drive down costs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Creative IT Solutions, LLC. Information regarding the company's size or its status as a small business is not provided, nor is there an indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's limited competition status warrants further oversight to ensure the services provided are necessary and that the pricing is reasonable. Accountability for performance and cost management will be crucial over the contract's five-year term.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs.
No clear justification for limited competition provided.
Absence of performance metrics makes effectiveness assessment difficult.
Long contract duration (5 years) without competition raises concerns.
Potential for vendor lock-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $29.3 million to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC. IT SUPPORT FOR KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What specific knowledge management systems are being supported, and what is the criticality of this support to the CDC's mission?

The specific knowledge management systems supported are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the agency (CDC) and the contract's value, it is likely these systems are critical for managing public health data, research findings, and operational information. Effective IT support ensures the integrity, accessibility, and usability of this vital knowledge base, directly impacting the CDC's ability to respond to health crises and conduct research.

What justification was provided for awarding this contract on a limited competition basis, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a sole-source or limited justification was used. Without this justification, it's impossible to assess the validity of the limited competition. The price determination process (fair and reasonable) is also not detailed, making it difficult to verify if the $29.25 million represents good value without competitive benchmarking.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will the effectiveness of the IT support be measured over its five-year duration?

Key performance indicators and specific metrics for measuring the effectiveness of the IT support are not included in the provided data. Typically, such contracts would outline KPIs related to system uptime, response times for support requests, data security compliance, and user satisfaction. Regular performance reviews and adherence to these KPIs would be essential for ensuring the contractor delivers effective services and justifies the significant investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 75D301-21-R-72037

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2000 N CLASSEN BLVD STE 1700, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73106

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,314,418

Exercised Options: $29,254,418

Current Obligation: $29,254,418

Actual Outlays: $23,935,416

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline