HHS awards $16.5M contract for Information Security Performance Evaluations to Guidehouse Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,501,846 ($16.5M)
Contractor: Guidehouse Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-03-01
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: INFORMATION SECURITY PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS OF MACS
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $16.5 million to GUIDEHOUSE INC. for work described as: INFORMATION SECURITY PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS OF MACS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Guidehouse Inc. for information security performance evaluations. 2. The contract has a total value of $16.5 million. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The period of performance is from March 1, 2023, to February 28, 2027. 5. The contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar consulting services for IT security evaluations suggests the pricing is competitive, though specific performance metrics would refine this assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made through full and open competition, allowing multiple vendors to bid. This competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential information security services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical information security evaluations for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Supports the ongoing protection of sensitive health data. Leverages expert consulting to improve agency cybersecurity posture. Contributes to the overall stability and trustworthiness of healthcare systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if evaluation criteria are not clearly defined.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical security assessments.
Positive Signals
- Clear contract type (FFP) and competition method.
- Defined period of performance with specific end date.
- Awarded to a known entity in the consulting space.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Management and Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on IT and administrative support. Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies to maintain operational efficiency and security.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting larger firms were likely participants. There is no specific indication of small business participation in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's performance will be monitored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The firm fixed price and defined period of performance provide a framework for oversight and accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Reliance on contractor's expertise for critical security functions.
- Need for strong government oversight to ensure quality.
- Scope definition is critical to prevent cost overruns.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $16.5 million to GUIDEHOUSE INC.. INFORMATION SECURITY PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS OF MACS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GUIDEHOUSE 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 $16.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-01. End: 2027-02-28.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate Guidehouse Inc.'s performance in information security evaluations?
The contract likely includes a Performance Work Statement (PWS) detailing specific deliverables and evaluation criteria. These metrics could include the thoroughness of security assessments, the clarity and actionability of findings, adherence to timelines, and the overall impact on improving CMS's security posture. A review of the PWS or contract modifications would provide precise details on performance measurement.
How does the $16.5 million value compare to similar cybersecurity consulting contracts awarded by federal agencies?
While $16.5 million is a significant sum, its value is relative to the scope and duration. For a multi-year engagement (nearly four years) involving comprehensive information security performance evaluations for a major agency like CMS, this figure appears within a reasonable range. Benchmarking against contracts for similar services, adjusted for agency size and complexity, would be necessary for a precise comparison.
What is the potential risk associated with relying on a single contractor for these critical security evaluations?
The primary risk is a lack of diverse perspectives and potential for vendor lock-in. If Guidehouse Inc. underperforms or faces challenges, CMS has limited immediate alternatives. This could also lead to complacency or missed vulnerabilities if the contractor's methodologies become routine. Mitigating this requires robust oversight and clear performance standards.
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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C.
Address: 1676 INTERNATIONAL DR STE 800, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,590,058
Exercised Options: $16,501,846
Current Obligation: $16,501,846
Actual Outlays: $10,802,234
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F045DA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-01
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2028-02-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-19
More Contracts from Guidehouse Inc.
- THE Purpose of This Requirement for Grants Program Solutions and IT Support Services IS to Provide Efficient and Effective Grant, Financial, and Contract Management Services, IT Solutions, and Support to the Grantsolutions and ITS Partners — $403.1M (Department of the Interior)
- Icam to From 09/08/2022 - 09/07/2023 — $119.1M (Department of Justice)
- Appliance Standards Analysis and Regulatory Support Services — $114.6M (Department of Energy)
- Appliance Standards Analysis and Regulatory Support Service (asarss) — $103.5M (Department of Energy)
- Audit Infrastructure Support Services — $89.8M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
- Contact Center Operations (CCO) — $5.5B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- TAS::75 0849::TAS Oper of Govt R&D Goco Facilities — $4.8B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide the Full Complement of Services Necessary to Care for UC in ORR Custody Including Facilities Set-Up, Maintenance, and Support Internal and Perimeter (IF Applicable) Security, Direct Care and Supervision Inc — $3.5B (Rapid Deployment Inc)
- Contact Center Operations — $2.6B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- Federal Contract — $2.4B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →