HHS Awards $20.4M for Community Finder Platform to Children's Hospital Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,360,884 ($20.4M)
Contractor: Children's Hospital Corporation, the
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-02-01
End Date: 2025-07-31
Contract Duration: 911 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: COMMUNITY FINDER PLATFORM
Place of Performance
Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02115
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $20.4 million to CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE for work described as: COMMUNITY FINDER PLATFORM Key points: 1. The contract is for a Community Finder Platform, a service within 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 2. Awarded to Children's Hospital Corporation, this represents a significant investment in health-related data infrastructure. 3. The contract is 'NOT COMPETED', raising questions about the procurement process and potential price discovery. 4. The duration of the contract is 911 days, indicating a medium-term project.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $20.4 million for a platform service is substantial. Without comparable contract data for similar platforms, it's difficult to definitively assess its value. The lack of competition makes benchmarking against similar services challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis ('NOT COMPETED'). This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive bidding process to drive down prices.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Potential impact on access to community health resources and services. Questions regarding the equitable distribution of federal funds due to non-competitive award. Importance of transparency in federal contracting for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competitive bidding.
- Limited transparency in the procurement process.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a specific need for a Community Finder Platform.
- Awarded to an established entity (Children's Hospital Corporation).
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad. Federal spending in this area can vary widely depending on the specific services. A $20.4 million contract for a platform suggests a complex and potentially critical function within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Children's Hospital Corporation, which is not identified as a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the price is fair and reasonable and that the services delivered meet the government's needs effectively. Accountability for the justification of the non-competitive award is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding.
- Potential for overpayment.
- Limited transparency in procurement.
- No small business participation noted.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-health-and-human-services, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20.4 million to CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE. COMMUNITY FINDER PLATFORM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE.
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 $20.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-02-01. End: 2025-07-31.
What is the specific functionality and expected impact of the Community Finder Platform?
The Community Finder Platform is intended to help users locate and access community-based resources and services. Its specific functionalities likely include data aggregation, search capabilities, and potentially integration with other health information systems. The expected impact is to improve public access to vital health and social services, thereby enhancing community well-being and health outcomes.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or urgent needs that only a specific contractor can fulfill. For this contract, the justification would need to clearly articulate why Children's Hospital Corporation was the only viable option, potentially due to proprietary technology, existing infrastructure, or specific expertise critical to the platform's development and operation.
How will the effectiveness and value of the Community Finder Platform be measured?
The effectiveness and value of the platform will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as user adoption rates, the number of successful resource connections made, user satisfaction surveys, and the platform's ability to integrate and present accurate, up-to-date information. Regular performance reviews and impact assessments will be crucial to ensure the platform meets its objectives and provides value to the public.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 75D301-23-R-72523
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 300 LONGWOOD AVE, BOSTON, MA, 02115
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,974,963
Exercised Options: $27,939,571
Current Obligation: $20,360,884
Actual Outlays: $20,360,884
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $4,120,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-02-01
Current End Date: 2025-07-31
Potential End Date: 2025-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-18
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