HHS awards $24M for Influenza Scientific Support Personnel to Chippewa Government Solutions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,066,701 ($24.1M)
Contractor: Chippewa Government Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-06-29
End Date: 2026-06-28
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: INFLUENZA SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT PERSONNEL
Place of Performance
Location: SAULT SAINTE MARIE, CHIPPEWA County, MICHIGAN, 49783
State: Michigan Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24.1 million to CHIPPEWA GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: INFLUENZA SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT PERSONNEL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition and potential cost savings. 2. The contract's duration of three years suggests a need for sustained scientific support. 3. The specific scientific and technical consulting services are crucial for ongoing public health initiatives. 4. Performance context is limited without specific deliverables or performance metrics. 5. Sector positioning within scientific and technical consulting services is a key area for analysis. 6. Risk indicators include the lack of competitive bidding and the potential for cost overruns.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value for this contract is challenging due to the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status, which limits comparison to similar competitively awarded contracts. The total award amount of $24,066,701.19 over three years needs to be assessed against the specific scientific and technical consulting services provided. Without a competitive process, it's difficult to ascertain if the pricing reflects fair market value or if there were opportunities for cost efficiencies.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the necessary qualifications or when urgency dictates a rapid award. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple bidders to offer proposals, which could have driven down prices and potentially led to a more innovative solution.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible value due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. This could result in higher costs than if the contract had been competed.
Public Impact
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) benefits from sustained scientific support for influenza research and operations. Services delivered are critical for public health surveillance, vaccine development, and outbreak response. Geographic impact is national, supporting CDC's mission across the United States. Workforce implications include the provision of specialized scientific personnel to augment federal capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding may lead to higher costs.
- Sole-source award limits transparency in vendor selection.
- Performance metrics and deliverables are not detailed, making oversight difficult.
Positive Signals
- Chippewa Government Solutions, LLC is awarded the contract, suggesting they meet specific requirements.
- The contract duration indicates a recognized need for ongoing services.
- Awarded by the CDC, a reputable agency focused on public health.
Sector Analysis
The scientific and technical consulting services sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. This contract falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690). The market for such services is competitive, but specific niche areas, like those potentially required for influenza scientific support, may have fewer qualified providers. Federal spending in this category is substantial, supporting various agencies' research, development, and operational needs.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component (ss: false, sb: false). The award to Chippewa Government Solutions, LLC, a single entity, does not provide immediate insight into subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the prime contractor has a subcontracting plan that includes small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the CDC, who monitors performance and ensures compliance with contract terms. Accountability measures are tied to the successful delivery of scientific support personnel and services as outlined in the contract. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award; however, contract details should be publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Influenza Surveillance Programs
- Public Health Research Grants
- Scientific Advisory Services
- Biodefense and Emerging Threats
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of detailed performance metrics
- Potential for cost overruns without competition
Tags
health-and-human-services, centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention, scientific-and-technical-consulting-services, definitive-contract, sole-source, influenza, public-health, personnel-services, michigan, labor-hours
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.1 million to CHIPPEWA GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC. INFLUENZA SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT PERSONNEL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CHIPPEWA GOVERNMENT 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 $24.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-06-29. End: 2026-06-28.
What is the track record of Chippewa Government Solutions, LLC in providing similar scientific support services to federal agencies?
Information regarding Chippewa Government Solutions, LLC's specific track record in providing influenza scientific support personnel is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review of past performance, including previous federal contracts, client feedback, and successful project completions, would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities. Federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would be the primary sources for this information. Understanding their experience with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or similar public health organizations would be particularly relevant.
How does the awarded amount compare to similar competitively sourced contracts for scientific support personnel?
Direct comparison to competitively sourced contracts is difficult due to the sole-source nature of this award. Typically, competitive bidding allows for price discovery and ensures that the government receives the best value. Without comparable bids, it's challenging to determine if $24,066,701.19 represents a fair market price for the services rendered. Analysis would require identifying contracts with similar scope, duration, and required expertise that were awarded through full and open competition.
What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for critical scientific support?
The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical scientific support include a lack of price competition, potentially leading to inflated costs for taxpayers. There's also a reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide exceptional value, as there are no competing alternatives. Furthermore, it can limit the government's access to a broader pool of talent and potentially overlook more cost-effective or technically superior solutions that might have emerged from a competitive process. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics becomes even more critical in sole-source situations.
What is the expected impact of these services on the CDC's ability to respond to influenza outbreaks?
The provision of influenza scientific support personnel is expected to significantly enhance the CDC's capacity to monitor, research, and respond to influenza outbreaks. These personnel likely contribute expertise in areas such as epidemiological analysis, laboratory testing, data management, and public health communication. By augmenting the CDC's internal workforce, this contract ensures that critical scientific functions are adequately staffed, enabling a more timely and effective response to public health emergencies related to influenza, thereby protecting the population.
What is the historical spending trend for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' by the Department of Health and Human Services?
Historical spending data for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would reveal trends in the agency's reliance on external expertise. Analyzing this data over several fiscal years can indicate whether spending in this category is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. Such a trend analysis could highlight shifts in program priorities, budget allocations, or the government's strategy for acquiring specialized scientific and technical support, providing context for the current $24 million award.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 75D301-23-R-72671
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 531 ASHMUN STREET, SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MI, 49783
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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: $24,066,701
Exercised Options: $24,066,701
Current Obligation: $24,066,701
Actual Outlays: $16,963,588
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-06-29
Current End Date: 2026-06-28
Potential End Date: 2026-06-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-17
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