HHS Awards $69M Contract to RTI for NHANES Data Collection Through 2026
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $69,056,569 ($69.1M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2024-09-30
End Date: 2026-09-29
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $94.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NHANES DATA COLLECTION
Place of Performance
Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $69.1 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: NHANES DATA COLLECTION Key points: 1. Significant investment in national health data collection. 2. RTI International is a key player in health research. 3. Potential risks include data integrity and cost overruns. 4. Spending falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $69M over two years for data collection services appears reasonable given the scope of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Benchmarking against similar large-scale data collection efforts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair pricing and identify the most capable contractor.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a critical public health data initiative, aiming to provide valuable insights into the health of the U.S. population.
Public Impact
Ensures continued collection of vital health statistics for public health policy. Supports ongoing research into disease prevalence and health trends. Provides data for evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep impacting final cost.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical data.
- Data security and privacy concerns.
Positive Signals
- Established contractor with proven track record.
- Full and open competition promotes value.
- Long-term data collection supports trend analysis.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category encompassing research and data analysis. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale data collection projects are difficult to pinpoint due to unique project scopes.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be necessary to assess their participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure data quality, adherence to timelines, and cost control throughout the contract period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be responsible for monitoring performance.
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
- Data integrity and accuracy risks.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Contractor performance variability.
- Cybersecurity and data breach risks.
- Reliance on specific technical expertise.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-health-and-human-services, nc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $69.1 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. NHANES DATA COLLECTION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.
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 $69.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.
What is the historical cost performance of RTI International on similar large-scale data collection contracts?
Historical performance data for RTI International on similar contracts would be essential for a thorough value assessment. Reviewing past project budgets, final expenditures, and any documented cost overruns or savings would provide critical insights into their cost management capabilities and reliability in executing complex data collection initiatives.
What are the specific data security and privacy protocols in place for the NHANES data collection?
Robust data security and privacy protocols are paramount given the sensitive nature of health information collected by NHANES. The contract should detail specific measures for data encryption, access controls, anonymization techniques, and compliance with HIPAA and other relevant regulations to safeguard participant privacy and data integrity.
How will the effectiveness of the collected NHANES data be measured and validated?
The effectiveness of the collected NHANES data is typically measured by its utility in informing public health policy and research. Validation involves rigorous statistical analysis, comparison with other health surveillance systems, and peer review of published findings derived from the data. The CDC's quality assurance processes are key.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3040 E CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709
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: $82,557,004
Exercised Options: $69,056,569
Current Obligation: $69,056,569
Actual Outlays: $17,901,207
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 37
Total Subaward Amount: $4,895,660
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75D30123D16071
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-09-29
Potential End Date: 2027-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-01
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