NCI Awards $28.1M Contract for Clinical Data Management to Agile Decision Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,187,622 ($28.2M)
Contractor: Agile Decision Sciences, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-01-15
End Date: 2027-01-14
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH (CCR)
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $28.2 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH (CCR) Key points: 1. Contract value of $28.1M over 4 years for critical cancer research data management. 2. Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, selected through full and open competition. 3. Potential risk associated with cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type if not managed closely. 4. Spending falls within the 'Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $28.1M appears reasonable for comprehensive clinical data management services supporting a major research institute. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data management contracts for federal research initiatives would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential research support.
Public Impact
Supports vital National Cancer Institute research efforts. Ensures integrity and accessibility of critical clinical data. Potential for advancements in cancer treatment and understanding. Contract duration of 4 years provides stability for research continuity.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee structure requires careful monitoring to control costs.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical data management.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures fair market pricing.
- Long-term contract provides stability for NCI's research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under IT services, specifically data processing and hosting. Spending benchmarks for similar federal contracts in this category vary widely based on scope and complexity, but $28.1M over four years for a specialized research institute is within a typical range.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health, is responsible for oversight. The contract type and duration suggest a need for diligent performance monitoring and financial oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type.
- Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly.
- Reliance on contractor for sensitive research data.
- Long-term contract duration may limit future flexibility.
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $28.2 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC. CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH (CCR)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, 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 $28.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-01-15. End: 2027-01-14.
What is the specific scope of 'clinical data management' covered by this contract?
The scope likely includes data collection, cleaning, validation, storage, security, and analysis support for clinical trials and research studies conducted by the NCI CCR. This ensures the integrity and usability of data crucial for advancing cancer research and treatment.
How will the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure be managed to prevent cost overruns?
Effective management will involve detailed cost tracking, regular audits, clear performance metrics, and robust communication between the government and the contractor. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, but vigilant oversight of direct costs is essential.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?
Key performance indicators would likely include data accuracy rates, turnaround times for data processing, system uptime, data security compliance, and adherence to research protocols. These KPIs ensure the contractor meets the critical needs of the NCI's research mission.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 75N91022R00023
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 350 VOYAGER WAY STE 100B, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $38,691,250
Exercised Options: $28,187,622
Current Obligation: $28,187,622
Actual Outlays: $19,983,120
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $7,236,422
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-01-15
Current End Date: 2027-01-14
Potential End Date: 2028-01-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-13
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