HHS awards $33.6M contract to National Opinion Research Center for reducing health disparities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,580,725 ($33.6M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2019-08-14

End Date: 2024-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,874 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: REDUCING HEALTH DISPARITIES THROUGH QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $33.6 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: REDUCING HEALTH DISPARITIES THROUGH QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. 3. The contract duration of 1874 days suggests a long-term initiative. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The primary agency is the Department of Health and Human Services, with CMS as the specific office. 6. The contract is a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $33.6 million over approximately five years for administrative and management consulting services appears reasonable given the scope of addressing health disparities. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public health initiatives is difficult without more specific service details. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep, as it can be less predictable than fixed-price contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors were likely solicited and evaluated. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes a competitive environment, allowing the government to select the most capable and cost-effective solution. The open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and ensuring taxpayer value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that the government receives competitive pricing and the best value for taxpayer dollars by allowing all eligible vendors to participate.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals and communities experiencing health disparities, aiming to improve their health outcomes. The services delivered are expected to enhance the quality of healthcare and administrative management within CMS. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, focusing on areas with significant health disparities. The contract may have implications for the public health workforce through research, analysis, and program development support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the direct impact on reducing health disparities.
The broad nature of 'administrative management and general management consulting services' could lead to undefined scope.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting process.
Long contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to addressing health disparities.
The focus on reducing health disparities aligns with critical public health goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The federal government is a significant purchaser of these services to support policy development, program implementation, and operational efficiency. Spending in this category often supports research, analysis, and strategic planning across various agencies, with comparable contracts varying widely in scope and value depending on the specific mission.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. As a large contract awarded through full and open competition, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors to the prime contractor, National Opinion Research Center. However, the primary awardee is a large research organization, suggesting direct subcontracting to small businesses might not be a primary focus unless mandated or strategically pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) program officials. Accountability measures would typically be tied to performance milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific operational details and progress reports may be internal.

Related Government Programs

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Initiatives
Public Health Quality Improvement Programs
Health Disparities Research Grants
Healthcare Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Difficulty in measuring direct impact on health disparities without clear KPIs.
Broad scope of 'administrative management and general management consulting services' may lack specificity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $33.6 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. REDUCING HEALTH DISPARITIES THROUGH QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

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 Medicare and Medicaid Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-08-14. End: 2024-09-30.

What specific methodologies will National Opinion Research Center employ to identify and address health disparities?

The contract details do not specify the exact methodologies. However, typical approaches for such contracts involve data analysis of health outcomes across different demographic groups, qualitative research (interviews, focus groups) to understand barriers, literature reviews of best practices, and the development of strategic plans or pilot programs. National Opinion Research Center, with its background in research and survey methodology, is likely to leverage quantitative and qualitative research techniques to gather evidence, identify root causes of disparities, and propose evidence-based interventions. The effectiveness will depend on the rigor of their data collection, analysis, and the actionable insights generated for CMS.

How does the $33.6 million value compare to similar contracts aimed at reducing health disparities?

Directly comparing this $33.6 million contract to others is challenging without knowing the precise scope and deliverables. Contracts aimed at reducing health disparities can range significantly in cost based on their focus (e.g., research, program implementation, technology development, policy analysis) and duration. Larger, multi-year federal initiatives focused on systemic change or large-scale data analysis can easily reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. This contract's value appears substantial, suggesting a comprehensive effort, but its true value-for-money can only be assessed against specific, comparable projects with similar objectives and outcomes.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for a contract focused on reducing health disparities, KPIs might include metrics related to the improvement of specific health outcomes in targeted populations (e.g., reduced mortality rates for certain conditions, increased access to care, improved patient satisfaction scores), the successful implementation of pilot programs, the development and dissemination of actionable research findings, or the number of policy recommendations adopted. Success measurement would likely involve regular reporting by the contractor and review by CMS, potentially including independent evaluations.

What is National Opinion Research Center's track record in managing large federal contracts, particularly in public health?

National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago has a long-standing reputation and extensive experience in conducting large-scale research and evaluation projects for federal agencies, including those in public health. They are known for their expertise in survey design, data collection, and analysis. While specific contract performance details are not publicly itemized here, NORC has a history of managing complex projects for agencies like HHS, CDC, and NIH. Their ability to secure and execute a contract of this magnitude suggests a proven capacity for managing federal funding and delivering research-based insights.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for this type of service?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used. This can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work expands unexpectedly, if contractor efficiency is low, or if there is a lack of rigorous oversight. For a contract focused on complex issues like health disparities, defining and controlling the scope can be challenging, increasing the risk of escalating costs. Mitigation strategies include establishing labor hour ceilings, closely monitoring progress, and ensuring clear task definitions.

How might this contract contribute to broader federal efforts to address health equity?

This contract directly supports federal efforts to address health equity by funding research and administrative improvements aimed at reducing disparities. By focusing on quality improvement within CMS, the contract has the potential to influence how healthcare services are delivered and reimbursed, thereby impacting equity. The insights gained and strategies developed could inform broader HHS initiatives and potentially influence national health policy. It represents a significant investment in understanding and mitigating the systemic factors that lead to unequal health outcomes across different populations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Solicitation ID: 75FCMC19Q0026

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $34,641,452

Exercised Options: $33,580,725

Current Obligation: $33,580,725

Actual Outlays: $25,252,635

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0033M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline