CDC's $24.7M National Immunization Survey contract awarded to National Opinion Research Center for administrative management services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,719,178 ($24.7M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2020-11-03

End Date: 2022-12-31

Contract Duration: 788 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION SURVEY - CORE 2021

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60603

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24.7 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION SURVEY - CORE 2021 Key points: 1. The contract focuses on administrative management and general consulting services, supporting the National Immunization Survey. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 788 days indicates a medium-term project. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires careful oversight. 5. The absence of small business set-asides may limit opportunities for smaller firms in this specific award. 6. The contract is managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a key health agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.7 million over approximately two years for a national survey management function appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale survey administration contracts managed by federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure, while common for complex services, necessitates diligent monitoring of costs to ensure efficiency and prevent overruns. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the scale of the operation suggests a significant undertaking.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The open competition suggests that the agency sought the best value proposition from the market, rather than restricting the opportunity to a select few contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and higher quality services due to market forces driving efficiency and innovation among bidders.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the public health sector, which receive crucial data for monitoring immunization rates. The services delivered include administrative management and general consulting essential for the operation of the National Immunization Survey. The geographic impact is national, as the survey aims to capture immunization data across the United States. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for researchers, data analysts, and administrative staff involved in survey execution and management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed rigorously.
Lack of specific details on competition level (number of bidders) limits full assessment of price discovery.
The administrative management and general consulting services category (NAICS 541611) is broad and could encompass a wide range of activities.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) is a reputable research organization with experience in large-scale surveys.
The contract supports a critical public health initiative, the National Immunization Survey, providing valuable data for public health policy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is vital for government operations, providing expertise and support for complex programs. The market size for such services is substantial, with numerous firms competing for federal contracts. The National Immunization Survey is a significant undertaking, requiring specialized skills in survey design, data collection, and analysis, positioning this contract as a key component of public health data infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). This means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate as prime contractors were limited unless they were part of a joint venture or subcontracting effort. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral to negative for prime contracting opportunities on this specific award, though subcontracting possibilities may exist.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contracting officers and program managers. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates close monitoring of expenditures against the fixed fee and allowable costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, though specific details of the survey's operational oversight are not publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Health Interview Survey
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
National Survey of Children's Health
CDC Data Collection and Analysis Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Limited information on the number of bidders in the full and open competition.
Potential for scope creep in administrative management and general consulting services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.7 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION SURVEY - CORE 2021

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

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 $24.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-11-03. End: 2022-12-31.

What is the track record of the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) in managing large-scale federal surveys?

The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago has a long and established track record of conducting large-scale, complex surveys for various federal agencies, including the CDC, NIH, and NSF. They are known for their expertise in survey methodology, data collection (both online and traditional methods), data analysis, and reporting. NORC has managed numerous health-related surveys, including those focused on immunization, health behaviors, and population health trends. Their experience suggests a strong capability to manage the administrative and operational aspects of the National Immunization Survey effectively, ensuring data quality and timely delivery of results.

How does the awarded amount of $24.7 million compare to similar federal survey administration contracts?

The $24.7 million award for the National Immunization Survey over approximately two years represents a significant investment in public health data collection. To benchmark this value, one would compare it to other large-scale national surveys managed by agencies like the CDC or NIH. For instance, contracts for the National Health Interview Survey or the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, which involve extensive data collection and analysis across the US, can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over their lifecycles. The per-year cost for this contract appears to be in the range of $12-13 million, which is competitive for a national survey of this scope, considering the complexity of sampling, data collection, and quality control measures required.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for survey administration?

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for survey administration revolve around cost control and potential for scope creep. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with an incentive to control costs, the 'cost plus' portion means the government reimburses allowable costs. If not meticulously managed, this can lead to higher-than-expected overall costs if the contractor's expenses are not efficiently managed or if unforeseen issues arise that increase the cost base. There's also a risk that the contractor might not be sufficiently incentivized to innovate or find cost-saving efficiencies beyond what's necessary to cover their costs and earn their fee. Robust government oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the National Immunization Survey in providing actionable data for public health policy?

The National Immunization Survey (NIS) is considered highly effective in providing actionable data for public health policy. It is a key source of timely information on childhood, adolescent, and adult vaccination coverage across the United States. The data collected by the NIS allows the CDC and other public health organizations to monitor vaccination trends, identify areas with low coverage, assess the impact of public health interventions, and inform vaccination program strategies. For example, NIS data has been instrumental in tracking progress towards national immunization goals and responding to outbreaks by identifying vulnerable populations. Its continuous nature provides a crucial baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns and policies.

What are the historical spending patterns for the National Immunization Survey or similar CDC data collection efforts?

Historical spending on the National Immunization Survey and similar large-scale data collection efforts by the CDC typically shows consistent, substantial investment. Annual spending for major national health surveys can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the survey's scope, methodology (e.g., phone, web, in-person), and duration. Contracts for these surveys are often awarded through competitive processes and can span multiple years, with values in the tens of millions. Fluctuations in spending can occur due to changes in survey design, data collection modes, or specific public health priorities. The $24.7 million for this two-year award aligns with the expected scale of funding for such a critical, ongoing national health surveillance program.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 75D301-21-R-71730

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60637

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,719,178

Exercised Options: $24,719,178

Current Obligation: $24,719,178

Actual Outlays: $11,580,360

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSD200201896379I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline