HHS awards $7.45M contract for youth risk behavior surveys to ICF Macro Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,449,438 ($7.4M)

Contractor: ICF Macro Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-06-03

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,488 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NATIONAL YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEYS

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $7.4 million to ICF MACRO INC for work described as: NATIONAL YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEYS Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for administrative management and general management consulting services. 3. The contract duration is approximately 4 years, aligning with survey cycles. 4. The award amount is within a reasonable range for large-scale data collection and analysis projects. 5. ICF Macro Inc. has a track record in government contracting, indicating potential for reliable performance. 6. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.45 million over approximately four years for the National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys appears reasonable given the scope of work. This includes data collection, analysis, and reporting on critical public health issues affecting youth. Benchmarking against similar large-scale survey contracts managed by CDC would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the initial amount does not raise immediate concerns for a project of this nature.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is designed to ensure fair pricing and access to the best available services. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these types of services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and higher quality services due to the pressure on contractors to be competitive.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies, specifically the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which will receive data to inform public health initiatives. The services delivered include the collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to youth health behaviors. The geographic impact is national, covering all states and territories within the United States. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for researchers, data analysts, survey administrators, and support staff involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The broad scope of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' could allow for scope creep if not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical national survey data collection requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
ICF Macro Inc. is an established government contractor with experience in similar projects.
The contract duration aligns with the cyclical nature of national surveys, allowing for continuity.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on management consulting and data analysis. This sector is characterized by a mix of large established firms and smaller specialized companies. Government spending in this area is substantial, supporting a wide range of analytical and advisory functions across federal agencies. The National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys are a critical component of public health surveillance, and contracts supporting such efforts are common within the healthcare and public health domain.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature and scale of the National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, it is likely that the prime contractor, ICF Macro Inc., may engage subcontractors. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program office, with potential involvement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contracting and oversight bodies. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting requirements. The Inspector General for HHS would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) - This contract directly supports this system.
Monitoring the Future Survey
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust oversight to manage scope and prevent creep.
Dependence on contractor's historical performance for critical national data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $7.4 million to ICF MACRO INC. NATIONAL YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEYS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF MACRO INC.

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 $7.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-03. End: 2026-06-30.

What is ICF Macro Inc.'s track record with the CDC and HHS for similar survey and data analysis contracts?

ICF Macro Inc. has a significant history of contracting with federal agencies, including the CDC and HHS, for a wide array of services, particularly in public health research, data collection, and analysis. They have been involved in numerous large-scale surveys and surveillance systems, often focusing on health behaviors, program evaluation, and epidemiological studies. Their experience with the National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys specifically, or similar youth-focused health initiatives, would be a key indicator of their capability and past performance. A review of their contract history with these agencies would reveal the number and value of previous awards, performance ratings, and any significant issues encountered. This historical data is crucial for assessing their reliability and expertise in executing the current contract effectively.

How does the awarded amount of $7.45 million compare to previous iterations or similar national youth surveys?

The awarded amount of $7.45 million for the National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys over approximately four years needs to be benchmarked against historical spending for this specific survey or comparable national youth health surveys. Factors influencing cost include the survey methodology (e.g., online, in-person), sample size, frequency of data collection, and the complexity of analysis required. If previous iterations of the YRBSS were awarded at significantly different price points, it would warrant an investigation into the reasons, such as changes in scope, inflation, or market competition. Comparing this contract's value to other large-scale federal health surveys like the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) or the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) can provide further context on its relative cost-effectiveness.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for this type of service?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to ICF Macro Inc., carry inherent risks related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred, plus a fixed fee or profit. This structure can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work is not precisely defined or if project timelines extend beyond initial estimates. For a complex project like the National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, effective management and oversight are critical to ensure that labor hours are reasonable, rates are fair, and materials are necessary. Without stringent monitoring, the government risks paying more than anticipated, potentially exceeding the $7.45 million ceiling if not properly managed.

What are the implications of awarding this contract through 'full and open competition' for price discovery and contractor performance?

Awarding the National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys contract through 'full and open competition' is a positive indicator for price discovery and potentially for contractor performance. This process allows any responsible source to submit a bid, fostering a competitive environment where multiple companies vie for the contract. The competition typically drives down prices as contractors offer their best terms to win the award. Furthermore, it increases the likelihood that the government selects a contractor offering the best value, considering both technical capabilities and cost. The presence of multiple bidders also suggests that the market has sufficient capacity and interest in providing these specialized services, which can lead to better innovation and service quality.

How does the $5 million ceiling for 'br' (likely a budget or funding ceiling) relate to the awarded amount of $7.45 million?

The provided data indicates a 'br' value of 5006, which is not directly interpretable as a dollar amount without further context or a defined key. Assuming 'br' might represent a budget ceiling or a specific funding allocation, and if it were a dollar figure, a value of $5 million would be significantly lower than the awarded contract amount of $7.45 million. This discrepancy would raise questions about the initial funding strategy, potential reprogramming of funds, or if the $5 million represents a specific fiscal year allocation rather than the total contract value. Clarification on what 'br' signifies is necessary for a precise analysis of its relationship to the awarded contract value.

What is the significance of the 'st': 'VA' and 'sn': 'VIRGINIA' in the contract data?

The 'st': 'VA' and 'sn': 'VIRGINIA' likely indicate the state where the contractor, ICF Macro Inc., is registered or has a significant operational presence, or potentially where the contract is administered or funds are disbursed. Virginia has a large federal contracting ecosystem, particularly in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, which is home to many government agencies and their contractors. This information is relevant for understanding the geographic distribution of federal spending and the contractor's base of operations. It does not directly impact the scope or value of the National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys contract itself but provides context about the contractor's location.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 75D301-22-Q-74384

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLZ, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,449,438

Exercised Options: $7,449,438

Current Obligation: $7,449,438

Actual Outlays: $6,717,173

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $52,647

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F189CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline