HHS Awards $20.4M for Social Science R&D to Research Triangle Institute Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,385,748 ($20.4M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2018-09-13
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 2,725 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF
Place of Performance
Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $20.4 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. The contract value is $20.4 million, awarded to Research Triangle Institute. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is over 6 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The award falls under NAICS code 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount of $20.4 million over approximately 6.7 years averages to about $3 million annually.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential contractors to bid. This method is expected to yield fair market prices.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development in social sciences and humanities. The long-term nature of the contract suggests ongoing government reliance on these research capabilities. Potential for advancements in policy, social programs, and understanding societal trends.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current market conditions or evolving research needs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or outcomes makes it difficult to assess value.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, promoting fairness and potential cost savings.
- Research Triangle Institute is a known entity in the research and development sector.
- Contract supports important social science and humanities research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector. Spending in this area is crucial for informing policy and understanding societal issues. Benchmarks vary widely depending on the specific research focus.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not primary awardees, though they could have participated as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) program officials. The CPFF contract type requires diligent monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value for money.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
- Long contract duration may not be agile enough for evolving research needs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- No indication of small business participation as prime contractors.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20.4 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::OT::IGF
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 Medicare and Medicaid Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-09-13. End: 2026-02-28.
What specific research areas within social sciences and humanities are being funded, and how do they align with current HHS priorities?
The contract specifies NAICS code 541720, covering Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. While the specific research areas are not detailed here, they likely support HHS's mission related to health, human services, and policy. Further analysis would require reviewing the contract's statement of work to understand the precise research objectives and their strategic alignment with agency goals.
What is the rationale for using a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this research, and what controls are in place to manage potential cost overruns?
CPFF contracts are often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or involves significant uncertainty, common in R&D. To manage costs, the government typically implements rigorous oversight, regular audits, and requires detailed cost reporting from the contractor. Fixed fee ensures the contractor has an incentive to control costs to maximize profit.
How will the effectiveness and impact of the research conducted under this contract be measured and evaluated to ensure taxpayer value?
The effectiveness of the research will likely be evaluated through deliverables outlined in the contract's statement of work, such as reports, publications, and presentations. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services program officials are responsible for monitoring progress and assessing the quality and impact of the research outcomes against predefined objectives and agency needs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
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
Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3040 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: $20,385,748
Exercised Options: $20,385,748
Current Obligation: $20,385,748
Actual Outlays: $9,543,426
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 4
Total Subaward Amount: $5,419,806
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201400037I
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-09-13
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2026-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-11
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