NIH's National Cancer Institute Awards $37M Contact Center Contract to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,974,020 ($37.0M)
Contractor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2020-05-01
End Date: 2025-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE'S CONTACT CENTER
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98109
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $37.0 million to FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER for work described as: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE'S CONTACT CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, well-known research institution. 2. Significant contract value over five years. 3. Focus on telemarketing and contact center services. 4. Potential for high taxpayer impact due to scale.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-no-fee structure makes direct pricing comparison difficult. However, the scale of operations suggests a substantial investment in service delivery.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access for qualified vendors.
Taxpayer Impact: The $37 million contract represents a significant allocation of taxpayer funds for essential public health communication services.
Public Impact
Ensures continued public access to vital cancer information and support services. Supports research and outreach efforts of the National Cancer Institute. Facilitates communication between the public and cancer research institutions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Reliance on a single entity for critical communication.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a critical public health mission.
- Long-term contract provides stability for services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the administrative and support services sector, specifically telemarketing and contact centers. Benchmarks for similar government contracts in this area are highly variable based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is likely managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the Department of Health and Human Services. Accountability will depend on contract performance metrics and reporting.
Related Government Programs
- Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost control in a 'Cost No Fee' contract.
- Vendor performance and service quality.
- Potential for service disruption.
- Long-term reliance on a single provider.
Tags
telemarketing-bureaus-and-other-contact-, department-of-health-and-human-services, wa, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $37.0 million to FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER. NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE'S CONTACT CENTER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER.
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 $37.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-05-01. End: 2025-04-30.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the National Cancer Institute's public outreach effectiveness?
This contract is expected to significantly enhance the NCI's public outreach by providing a dedicated and professional contact center. It will likely improve the accessibility and quality of information dissemination, patient support, and research participation recruitment, ultimately strengthening the NCI's mission to reduce the burden of cancer.
What are the primary risks associated with awarding a large contract to a single entity for contact center services?
The primary risks include over-reliance on one vendor, potentially leading to service disruptions if the vendor faces operational issues. There's also a risk of reduced innovation or price increases in future renewals if competition is stifled. Ensuring robust performance monitoring and contingency plans is crucial to mitigate these risks.
How does the 'Cost No Fee' contract type influence the assessment of value for taxpayer money?
The 'Cost No Fee' structure means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs but pays no additional profit. This can be advantageous for complex, research-oriented work where profit margins are uncertain. However, it shifts the focus to rigorous cost monitoring and auditing to ensure the government is not overpaying for incurred expenses.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 75N91019R00008
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1100 FAIRVIEW AVE N, SEATTLE, WA, 98109
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: $47,319,909
Exercised Options: $47,319,909
Current Obligation: $36,974,020
Actual Outlays: $26,898,287
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 33
Total Subaward Amount: $2,200,220
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-05-01
Current End Date: 2025-04-30
Potential End Date: 2025-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-16
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