HHS awards $885K for Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) IV to Alpine Technology Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,846,154 ($8.8M)

Contractor: Alpine Technology Group,LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-12-16

End Date: 2026-12-15

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONTRACT # / TASK ORDER #: TBD CONTRACT DESCRIPTION/TITLE: AUTOMATED SURVEY PROCESSING ENVIRONMENT (ASPEN) IV REQUESTED CHANGES TO CONTRACT AND REASON FOR CHANGES: THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO FUND THE BASE PERIOD OF THE ASPEN IV CONTRACT, CLIN 0001

Place of Performance

Location: LONGMONT, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80501

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $8.8 million to ALPINE TECHNOLOGY GROUP,LLC for work described as: CONTRACT # / TASK ORDER #: TBD CONTRACT DESCRIPTION/TITLE: AUTOMATED SURVEY PROCESSING ENVIRONMENT (ASPEN) IV REQUESTED CHANGES TO CONTRACT AND REASON FOR CHANGES: THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO FUND THE BASE PERIOD OF THE ASPEN IV CONTRACT, CLIN 0001 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for the base period of ASPEN IV, indicating a foundational phase of a larger system. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price for services. 4. Alpine Technology Group, LLC is the awardee, with the contract duration set for approximately two years. 5. The contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services', highlighting its IT focus. 6. The award is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $884,615 for a two-year base period for an automated survey processing environment appears reasonable for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts for government agencies would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope and cost control by the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down prices through market forces and ensuring the government receives the best value.

Public Impact

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will benefit from an improved automated survey processing environment. This contract supports the delivery of IT services essential for managing and processing survey data. The primary geographic impact is likely within CMS operations, supporting federal healthcare administration. The contract supports the IT workforce involved in developing, implementing, and maintaining the ASPEN IV system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits a full assessment of competitive intensity.
The contract description is high-level, making it difficult to assess the technical complexity and associated risks without further detail.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for the base period, suggesting a structured approach to system development or enhancement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. The market for government IT services is substantial, with agencies continually seeking solutions for data processing, automation, and system modernization. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar survey processing or data management systems within HHS or other federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false for this specific award. Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements evident from this data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral in this instance, as it was not specifically targeted for small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by federal contract databases, though detailed performance metrics are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

CMS IT Modernization Initiatives
Healthcare Data Processing Systems
Federal Survey and Data Collection Platforms
Automated Information Systems

Risk Flags

Limited information on competition details (number of bidders).
Lack of specific performance metrics and KPIs in provided data.
Contract description is high-level, requiring further detail for full risk assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $8.8 million to ALPINE TECHNOLOGY GROUP,LLC. CONTRACT # / TASK ORDER #: TBD CONTRACT DESCRIPTION/TITLE: AUTOMATED SURVEY PROCESSING ENVIRONMENT (ASPEN) IV REQUESTED CHANGES TO CONTRACT AND REASON FOR CHANGES: THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO FUND THE BASE PERIOD OF THE ASPEN IV CONTRACT, CLIN 0001

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALPINE TECHNOLOGY GROUP,LLC.

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 $8.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-16. End: 2026-12-15.

What is the historical spending on the ASPEN program or similar survey processing systems by CMS?

Historical spending data on the ASPEN program or similar survey processing systems by CMS is not directly available in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for past contracts awarded to Alpine Technology Group or other vendors for ASPEN versions I, II, III, or comparable systems. Analyzing trends in spending, contract durations, and award values over time would reveal the program's lifecycle cost and CMS's investment in survey processing capabilities. This historical context is crucial for understanding if the current $884,615 base period funding aligns with previous investment levels or represents a new phase of development or sustainment.

How does the per-unit cost or overall value of this contract compare to similar IT service contracts for survey processing?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is not feasible without knowing the specific units of service or deliverables for the Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) IV. However, the total contract value of $884,615 for a two-year base period for IT services can be benchmarked against similar government IT contracts. For instance, contracts for developing or maintaining data processing platforms, software development, or IT support services for agencies of similar size and scope (like HHS) can serve as comparators. If comparable contracts for similar functionalities are significantly lower or higher, it would indicate potential overpricing or underbidding, respectively. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, making value assessment dependent on the scope's comprehensiveness and the quality of deliverables.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance standards for the ASPEN IV contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or performance standards for the ASPEN IV contract. Typically, for an IT services contract like this, KPIs would relate to system uptime, data processing speed and accuracy, user satisfaction, security compliance, and timely delivery of reports or functionalities. Performance standards would define the acceptable thresholds for these KPIs. These details are usually outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Without access to these documents, a thorough assessment of performance expectations and how success will be measured is not possible.

What is Alpine Technology Group, LLC's track record with government contracts, particularly within HHS?

Alpine Technology Group, LLC's track record with government contracts, particularly within HHS, is not detailed in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to research their contract history through federal procurement databases. Key aspects to investigate include the number and value of previous awards, the types of services rendered, past performance ratings, and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A strong history of successful contract performance, especially within the healthcare IT domain or with CMS specifically, would indicate lower performance risk for the ASPEN IV contract. Conversely, a limited or problematic history might raise concerns.

What are the potential risks associated with the ASPEN IV system and its implementation?

Potential risks associated with the ASPEN IV system and its implementation include technical risks (e.g., system integration issues, scalability problems, cybersecurity vulnerabilities), operational risks (e.g., user adoption challenges, data integrity issues, disruption to existing survey processes), and schedule/cost risks (e.g., delays in development, cost overruns if the fixed price scope is underestimated). Given that this is the base period, risks related to the initial setup and foundational development are paramount. The success of the system will depend on robust project management, clear requirements, effective testing, and strong collaboration between Alpine Technology Group and CMS.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

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

Address: 1920 PIKE RD, LONGMONT, CO, 80501

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,222,070

Exercised Options: $8,846,154

Current Obligation: $8,846,154

Actual Outlays: $5,392,217

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0633S

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline