HHS awards $2.1M for caregiver burden measure development, with Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation as contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,142,678 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Yale NEW Haven Health Services Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-07-24

End Date: 2026-07-23

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: RAPID MEASURE DEVELOPMENT (RMD) FOR CAREGIVER BURDEN MEASURE FOR CENTER FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID INNOVATION CENTER GUIDING AN IMPROVED DEMENTIA EXPERIENCE (GUIDE) MODEL

Place of Performance

Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.1 million to YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION for work described as: RAPID MEASURE DEVELOPMENT (RMD) FOR CAREGIVER BURDEN MEASURE FOR CENTER FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID INNOVATION CENTER GUIDING AN IMPROVED DEMENTIA EXPERIENCE (GUIDE) MODEL Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developing a caregiver burden measure for the CMS GUIDE model, aiming to improve dementia care. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The duration of 729 days indicates a significant, multi-year effort for measure development. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690 points to specialized scientific and technical consulting services. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.14 million for developing a caregiver burden measure appears reasonable given the complexity of such a task. However, without specific benchmarks for similar measure development contracts within CMS or other agencies, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type introduces some risk, as costs can escalate. Benchmarking against the number of deliverables and the scope of work would be necessary for a more precise evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through multiple bids. It increases the likelihood of selecting the most cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals with dementia and their caregivers, who will experience improved care coordination and support. The contract will deliver a validated caregiver burden measure, which can be integrated into the CMS GUIDE model. The geographic impact is national, as the GUIDE model and the developed measure are intended for widespread CMS implementation. Workforce implications include potential training needs for healthcare providers to utilize the new measure and potentially increased demand for caregiver support services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The specialized nature of the service may limit the pool of highly qualified contractors, potentially impacting future competition.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ could obscure the true total value and competition for the overall program.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Multiple bidders (6) suggest significant interest and a competitive market for these services.
Focus on a critical area of healthcare (dementia care) aligns with national health priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Scientific Research and Development Services sector, specifically focusing on health services research and consulting. The market for developing healthcare quality measures and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is specialized, often involving academic institutions, research organizations, and specialized consulting firms. Spending in this area is driven by CMS's mandate to improve healthcare quality and value, particularly for vulnerable populations like those with dementia.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. Given the specialized nature of developing clinical measures, it is likely that larger, more experienced firms or academic institutions were the primary bidders. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) program officials and contracting officers. The CPFF structure necessitates close monitoring of costs and progress to ensure adherence to the fixed fee and overall budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, and the Inspector General's office at HHS has jurisdiction over potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) initiatives
Dementia Care Models
Caregiver Support Programs
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
Health Services Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
Effectiveness of the developed measure depends heavily on implementation and adoption.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics for this contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.1 million to YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION. RAPID MEASURE DEVELOPMENT (RMD) FOR CAREGIVER BURDEN MEASURE FOR CENTER FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID INNOVATION CENTER GUIDING AN IMPROVED DEMENTIA EXPERIENCE (GUIDE) MODEL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION.

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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-24. End: 2026-07-23.

What is the track record of Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation in delivering similar health services research and measure development contracts for federal agencies?

Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation, often associated with Yale University's School of Medicine and its health system, has a strong academic and research reputation. They are frequently involved in health services research, clinical trials, and the development of healthcare quality metrics. While specific federal contract history requires detailed database searches (e.g., FPDS), their institutional capacity and expertise in areas like geriatrics, dementia care, and health outcomes research suggest a strong capability to undertake this type of project. Their involvement in federally funded research grants and contracts is common for major academic medical centers.

How does the $2.14 million contract value compare to similar caregiver burden measure development projects?

Benchmarking the $2.14 million contract value for this specific measure development is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable federal contracts. However, developing validated clinical measures, especially those intended for national implementation within a large program like CMS's GUIDE model, is a complex and resource-intensive undertaking. It typically involves extensive literature reviews, expert consultations, pilot testing, and statistical validation. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure also means the final cost could vary. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is within a plausible range for such a specialized, multi-year project, but a detailed comparison with similar measure development contracts would be needed for a definitive value-for-money conclusion.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for measure development?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract for measure development is the potential for cost escalation beyond initial estimates, even though a fixed fee is agreed upon. While the contractor is incentivized to control costs to protect their fee, the government bears the risk of reimbursing allowable costs. If the scope of work expands unexpectedly due to unforeseen complexities in measure development, or if the contractor's cost estimation is inaccurate, the total project cost could exceed projections. Effective oversight by the government is crucial to monitor expenditures, ensure efficiency, and prevent unnecessary costs. The fixed fee itself is negotiated, so the initial baseline cost estimate is critical.

What is the expected effectiveness of the developed caregiver burden measure in improving dementia care?

The expected effectiveness hinges on the quality and validity of the developed measure and its subsequent integration into the CMS GUIDE model. A well-designed caregiver burden measure can provide objective data on the challenges faced by informal caregivers, enabling healthcare providers to better identify needs, offer targeted support, and adjust care plans accordingly. This can lead to reduced caregiver stress, improved patient outcomes, and potentially lower healthcare utilization costs associated with caregiver burnout. The success will depend on rigorous development, validation, and effective implementation within clinical settings.

What has been the historical spending by HHS/CMS on developing similar healthcare quality or burden measures?

Historical spending by HHS/CMS on developing healthcare quality measures and burden assessments varies significantly based on the complexity, scope, and intended use of the measure. CMS has consistently invested in measure development through various initiatives, including those managed by the Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation (CQII) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). Contracts for developing specific quality metrics, patient-reported outcomes, or burden assessments can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the duration, number of stakeholders involved, and the rigor of the validation process. The $2.14 million for this GUIDE model measure appears consistent with investments in significant, multi-year measure development projects.

How will the 'GUIDE model' itself impact dementia care, and how does this measure development fit into that broader strategy?

The 'GUIDE model' (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is an initiative by CMS's Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) aimed at improving the experience of individuals living with dementia and their family caregivers. It typically involves providing support and resources to help manage the disease, coordinate care, and reduce caregiver strain. Developing a standardized 'caregiver burden measure' is a critical component of such a model. It allows for the systematic assessment of caregiver needs, the tracking of intervention effectiveness, and the identification of areas where additional support is most needed. This measure development is therefore integral to the GUIDE model's success in achieving its goals of better dementia care and caregiver well-being.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical 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: MIDS-TORP-2024-APP240536

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 789 HOWARD AVE, NEW HAVEN, CT, 06519

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,142,678

Exercised Options: $2,142,678

Current Obligation: $2,142,678

Actual Outlays: $1,458,863

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75FCMC18D0042

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline