CDC awards $26.5M contract for National Immunization Survey, highlighting extensive data collection needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,514,340 ($26.5M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-11-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 790 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION SURVEY 2023-2029

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60603

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $26.5 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION SURVEY 2023-2029 Key points: 1. Contract value suggests significant investment in public health data infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition indicates a robust market for survey research services. 3. Potential for long-term data collection raises questions about sustained value. 4. Focus on immunization data aligns with critical public health priorities. 5. Geographic scope covers the entire nation, implying broad data representativeness.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $26.5 million over approximately three years for a national survey appears reasonable given the scope and complexity of collecting immunization data across the United States. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public health surveys suggests that costs are in line with industry standards for comprehensive data collection, analysis, and reporting. The fixed-fee component helps manage costs, but the cost-plus nature allows for flexibility in addressing unforeseen research challenges.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition mechanism generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages contractors to offer their best value. This approach is ideal for ensuring that taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential public health research.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that the government secures the most cost-effective services for the National Immunization Survey, maximizing the value of taxpayer dollars invested in public health data.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are public health officials and policymakers who rely on accurate immunization data to inform public health strategies and resource allocation. The services delivered include data collection, analysis, and reporting for the National Immunization Survey, crucial for tracking vaccination rates and identifying coverage gaps. The geographic impact is national, covering all states and territories, ensuring comprehensive data for nationwide health initiatives. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for survey researchers, data collectors, analysts, and support staff within the contracting organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in data collection requirements over the contract duration.
Reliance on accurate self-reported data from survey respondents can introduce bias.
Ensuring data privacy and security for sensitive health information is paramount.

Positive Signals

Established track record of the contractor (NORC) in conducting large-scale surveys.
Clear objectives for the National Immunization Survey align with critical public health goals.
The use of a fixed-fee component provides cost certainty for core services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling sector (NAICS 541910), a segment of the professional services industry focused on gathering and analyzing data on public attitudes and behaviors. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of conducting large-scale surveys. This contract represents a significant investment in public health data infrastructure, comparable to other government-funded research initiatives aimed at understanding population health trends.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Given the nature and scale of the National Immunization Survey, it is likely that the prime contractor, NORC, will manage the majority of the work internally. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for specialized services that could benefit small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services. The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates close monitoring of expenditures and performance to ensure adherence to the scope of work and budget. Transparency is expected through regular reporting from the contractor on data collection progress and findings.

Related Government Programs

National Health Interview Survey
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
National Survey of Children's Health

Risk Flags

Potential for respondent fatigue in long-term data collection efforts.
Reliance on self-reported data may introduce recall bias.
Ensuring data representativeness across diverse populations requires careful sampling and outreach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $26.5 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION SURVEY 2023-2029

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 $26.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for the National Immunization Survey?

Historical spending data for the National Immunization Survey (NIS) prior to this award is not directly available in the provided data. However, the NIS has been conducted annually for many years, indicating a sustained federal commitment to collecting this vital public health information. The current award of $26.5 million for a multi-year period suggests a significant increase or a consolidation of previous funding streams, potentially reflecting expanded scope, updated methodologies, or inflationary adjustments. Understanding the year-over-year budget allocations and contract awards for the NIS in previous cycles would provide crucial context for assessing the current investment's magnitude and justification.

How does the contractor's track record influence the assessment of this award?

The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago is a well-established and reputable organization with extensive experience in conducting large-scale surveys, including public health research. Their long history and demonstrated capabilities in data collection, sampling, analysis, and reporting suggest a lower risk profile for contract performance. NORC has been involved in numerous federal surveys, providing them with institutional knowledge and established methodologies that are likely to contribute to the successful execution of the National Immunization Survey. This strong track record supports the assessment that the contract is likely to be well-managed and achieve its objectives.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided data, typical KPIs for a contract of this nature would likely include metrics related to data quality, response rates, timeliness of data collection and reporting, and adherence to budget. For the National Immunization Survey, critical performance indicators would focus on achieving representative sample sizes for various demographic groups, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of collected immunization data, and delivering timely reports to inform public health decision-making. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would establish and monitor these KPIs to ensure the contractor meets the program's objectives effectively.

What is the risk assessment associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential challenges in achieving adequate survey response rates, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of self-reported immunization data, and managing the complexities of a large-scale, multi-year data collection effort. Data privacy and security are also significant considerations. However, the contractor's extensive experience with NORC, the use of established survey methodologies, and the full and open competition process mitigate some of these risks. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility in addressing unforeseen issues, but requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.

How does this contract compare to other federal spending on public health data collection?

This $26.5 million contract for the National Immunization Survey is a substantial investment, but it aligns with the federal government's significant and ongoing commitment to collecting comprehensive public health data. Agencies like the CDC and NIH consistently award large contracts for epidemiological studies, health surveys, and research initiatives. Compared to other major federal health surveys, such as the National Health Interview Survey or the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the value and scope of this NIS contract appear comparable, reflecting the critical need for accurate immunization data to guide public health policy and interventions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling

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: 55 E MONROE ST 30TH FL, CHICAGO, IL, 60603

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: $26,514,340

Exercised Options: $26,514,340

Current Obligation: $26,514,340

Actual Outlays: $24,589,965

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75D30123D17068

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline