NIH Awards $7.6M Contract to Guidehouse Digital for Clinical Laboratory Staffing Guidance
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,675,577 ($7.7M)
Contractor: Guidehouse Digital LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2025-04-01
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: NIH HOSPITAL CLINICAL LABORATORY STAFFING GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC:1169350 [25-003046]
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $7.7 million to GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC for work described as: NIH HOSPITAL CLINICAL LABORATORY STAFFING GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC:1169350 [25-003046] Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Guidehouse Digital LLC for clinical laboratory staffing guidance. 2. The contract has a total value of $7,675,577.41 and a duration of 729 days. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract is for engineering services, specifically within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $7.6M for 729 days appears reasonable for specialized engineering and consulting services in a highly regulated field like healthcare. Benchmarking against similar NIH or HHS contracts for expert guidance would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure cost-effective solutions for critical government functions like laboratory staffing guidance.
Public Impact
Ensures NIH maintains high standards in clinical laboratory operations through expert guidance. Supports the development and implementation of effective staffing models for critical healthcare services. Potential for improved efficiency and accuracy in NIH clinical laboratory functions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if staffing guidance requirements are not clearly defined.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical guidance could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Clear contract duration and delivery order structure.
- Focus on a critical area of healthcare operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under engineering services, specifically supporting the healthcare sector's operational needs within the NIH. Spending benchmarks for similar consulting or advisory services for federal health agencies can vary widely based on scope and expertise required.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, and there is no specific indication that small businesses were prioritized or excluded. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in the bidding process.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Standard HHS oversight mechanisms for contract performance and financial management are expected to be in place.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if guidance is highly proprietary.
- Dependence on contractor expertise for critical operational decisions.
- Need for robust government oversight to ensure guidance meets evolving needs.
- Risk of insufficient detail in the guidance leading to implementation challenges.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $7.7 million to GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC. NIH HOSPITAL CLINICAL LABORATORY STAFFING GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC:1169350 [25-003046]
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $7.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the clinical laboratory staffing guidance provided by Guidehouse Digital?
The effectiveness of the guidance will likely be evaluated based on its alignment with NIH's strategic goals for laboratory operations, its practicality for implementation, and its contribution to improved efficiency, accuracy, and compliance within clinical laboratories. Specific metrics could include adherence to recommended staffing ratios, reduction in errors, improved turnaround times for tests, and successful implementation of new staffing models.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on Guidehouse Digital for this critical guidance, and how are they being mitigated?
Potential risks include the guidance being outdated, not tailored to NIH's specific needs, or facing implementation challenges. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear performance standards in the contract, regular progress reviews, and potentially requiring Guidehouse to demonstrate how their proposed solutions address NIH's unique operational context and regulatory environment.
How does this contract contribute to the overall value proposition for the NIH in terms of operational efficiency and cost savings in laboratory staffing?
This contract aims to provide value by ensuring optimal clinical laboratory staffing, which directly impacts operational efficiency, test accuracy, and patient care. By leveraging expert guidance, NIH can potentially avoid costly staffing errors, reduce overtime, improve staff retention, and ensure compliance, ultimately leading to better resource allocation and cost-effectiveness in its laboratory operations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1676 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE, MCLEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,675,577
Exercised Options: $7,675,577
Current Obligation: $7,675,577
Actual Outlays: $3,876,519
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU136
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-01
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-25
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