HHS awards $6.6M contract for technical assistance and quality improvement services to Health Services Advisory Group, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,660,367 ($6.7M)
Contractor: Health Services Advisory Group, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2021-08-20
End Date: 2025-08-19
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND LEARNING (TAQIL)
Place of Performance
Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85016
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $6.7 million to HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY GROUP, INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND LEARNING (TAQIL) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on management consulting services for healthcare quality improvement. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is approximately four years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. The geographic scope is limited to Arizona, suggesting a targeted regional initiative.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $6.6 million over four years averages to $1.65 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for technical assistance and quality improvement in the healthcare sector requires access to proprietary databases. However, the fixed-price nature suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and cost. The award to a single contractor implies a thorough evaluation of proposals to ensure value for money was achieved.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of five bids indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This competitive environment generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that is likely to have driven down costs and ensured the government received the best possible value for its investment in technical assistance and quality improvement.
Public Impact
Beneficiaries include healthcare providers in Arizona seeking to improve quality of care and operational efficiency. Services delivered will focus on technical assistance, quality improvement initiatives, and learning programs. The geographic impact is concentrated within the state of Arizona. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized consultants and trainers to deliver the services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'technical assistance' is not tightly managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical quality improvement functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
- The contract duration allows for sustained support and measurable outcomes in quality improvement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Management Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on healthcare. The market for healthcare consulting is substantial, driven by evolving regulations, the need for operational efficiency, and the pursuit of higher quality patient outcomes. This contract represents a portion of federal spending aimed at improving the delivery and effectiveness of healthcare services, particularly within government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business participation is planned.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver defined services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed oversight activities may not be publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- Medicare Quality Improvement Programs
- Medicaid Technical Assistance
- Healthcare Provider Support Services
- Health Services Consulting
Risk Flags
- Contractor Performance Risk
- Scope Definition and Management
- Dependency on Single Contractor
Tags
healthcare, hhs, cms, management-consulting, technical-assistance, quality-improvement, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, arizona, medium-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6.7 million to HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY GROUP, INC.. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND LEARNING (TAQIL)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY GROUP, INC..
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 $6.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-08-20. End: 2025-08-19.
What is the track record of Health Services Advisory Group, Inc. in delivering similar technical assistance and quality improvement services?
A thorough review of Health Services Advisory Group, Inc.'s past performance is crucial. This would involve examining their contract history with federal agencies, particularly HHS and CMS, to assess their success in managing similar projects. Key indicators would include on-time delivery, adherence to budget (especially relevant for fixed-price contracts), client satisfaction ratings, and the measurable impact of their quality improvement initiatives. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and past performance evaluations would be essential to gauge their capability and reliability for this specific contract.
How does the awarded value compare to similar contracts for technical assistance and quality improvement in the healthcare sector?
The awarded value of $6.6 million over four years, averaging $1.65 million annually, needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts. This comparison should consider the scope of services, the geographic region, the specific healthcare programs targeted (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid), and the size and complexity of the healthcare entities receiving assistance. Without access to specialized market intelligence or detailed historical contract data for similar services, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature and competitive award suggest an effort to align costs with expected deliverables.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, leading to suboptimal quality improvement outcomes, and the possibility of scope creep if the definition of 'technical assistance' is not clearly delineated. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by CMS, clear contract deliverables, and defined key performance indicators (KPIs). The fixed-price structure also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. Furthermore, the competitive award process suggests that potential risks were assessed during the evaluation of proposals.
How effective is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in overseeing contracts of this nature to ensure program goals are met?
CMS has established contracting and program management offices responsible for overseeing contracts like this one. Their effectiveness is generally measured by their ability to ensure contractors meet performance standards, achieve program objectives, and adhere to regulatory requirements. Oversight mechanisms typically include regular progress reviews, site visits, performance reporting, and the application of contract remedies if necessary. The success of these oversight functions depends on adequate staffing, expertise, and clear communication channels between CMS and the contractor.
What are the historical spending patterns for technical assistance and quality improvement services by CMS?
Historical spending patterns for technical assistance and quality improvement by CMS are likely substantial, given the agency's mission to oversee Medicare and Medicaid. These services are critical for ensuring the efficiency, quality, and compliance of healthcare providers participating in these programs. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on policy priorities, legislative mandates, and the introduction of new quality initiatives. Analyzing past spending trends would reveal the typical contract values, durations, and the types of services most frequently procured.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › DEPENDENT MEDICARE SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3133 EAST CAMELBACK RS STE 100, PHOENIX, AZ, 85016
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,997,003
Exercised Options: $6,660,367
Current Obligation: $6,660,367
Actual Outlays: $6,660,367
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75FCMC19D0026
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-08-20
Current End Date: 2025-08-19
Potential End Date: 2026-08-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-12
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