HHS Awards $6.47M for Medicaid/CHIP Complex Needs Research, Boosting Social Science R&D

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,473,640 ($6.5M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-12-02

End Date: 2026-12-01

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: AWARD OF THE IMPROVING CARE FOR MEDICAID AND CHIP BENEFICIARIES WITH COMPLEX NEEDS (ICMB)

Place of Performance

Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $6.5 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: AWARD OF THE IMPROVING CARE FOR MEDICAID AND CHIP BENEFICIARIES WITH COMPLEX NEEDS (ICMB) Key points: 1. The award focuses on improving care for vulnerable Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control. 4. The sector is Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities, a critical area for policy improvement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.47 million over two years appears reasonable for specialized research. Benchmarking against similar complex needs research contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was utilized, allowing multiple vendors to bid. This method generally leads to better pricing and selection of the most capable offeror.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to improve care for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, potentially leading to long-term cost savings through better health outcomes and reduced administrative burden.

Public Impact

Improved healthcare access and quality for millions of low-income families. Potential for innovative care models to be scaled nationally. Advancement of social science research impacting public health policy. Increased understanding of complex health needs within vulnerable populations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 88 / 10

Positive Signals

Clear focus on a high-impact social program.
Competitive award process.
Long-term potential for cost savings through improved care.

Sector Analysis

This award falls within the Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities sector, supporting critical analysis of healthcare programs. Spending benchmarks for similar HHS research contracts would be relevant for comparison.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal research grants and contracts would apply.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts.
Complexity of measuring 'improved care' across diverse beneficiary needs.
Risk of research findings not being effectively implemented by states.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6.5 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. AWARD OF THE IMPROVING CARE FOR MEDICAID AND CHIP BENEFICIARIES WITH COMPLEX NEEDS (ICMB)

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 $6.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-02. End: 2026-12-01.

What specific metrics will be used to measure the success of the 'Improving Care for Medicaid and CHIP Beneficiaries with Complex Needs' initiative?

Success metrics will likely focus on improvements in beneficiary health outcomes, such as reduced hospital readmissions, better chronic disease management, and increased patient satisfaction. Additionally, measures of cost-effectiveness, such as reduced per-member-per-month healthcare spending or improved care coordination efficiency, will be crucial. The research may also evaluate the scalability and sustainability of implemented care models.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for complex healthcare research, and how are they mitigated?

A primary risk is that the contractor may not be sufficiently incentivized to control costs, as the fixed fee is guaranteed. Mitigation strategies include robust government oversight, detailed performance metrics, and clear deliverables. The government also retains the right to audit costs, ensuring that expenditures are reasonable and allocable to the contract objectives.

How will the findings from this research contract be disseminated to ensure broad impact on Medicaid and CHIP programs nationwide?

Dissemination will likely involve multiple channels, including peer-reviewed publications, presentations at national conferences, and direct engagement with state Medicaid agencies and policymakers. The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) may also produce policy briefs and reports tailored for different audiences, ensuring that research findings translate into actionable strategies for improving care delivery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60637

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: $9,461,250

Exercised Options: $6,473,640

Current Obligation: $6,473,640

Actual Outlays: $2,836,446

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75FCMC19D0092

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline