NCI's Cancer Information Service Contract Awarded to Fred Hutchinson for $917,728
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,177,287 ($9.2M)
Contractor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2025-05-01
End Date: 2026-04-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE'S (NCI) CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE (CIS) IS AN EXISTING AND ESTABLISHED CRITICAL COMPONENT OF HEALTHCARE DELIVERY, PARTICULARLY IN FACILITATING PUBLIC ACCESS TO CLINICAL TRIALS. ESTABLISHED UNDER THE NATIONAL CANCER
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98109
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $9.2 million to FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER for work described as: THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE'S (NCI) CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE (CIS) IS AN EXISTING AND ESTABLISHED CRITICAL COMPONENT OF HEALTHCARE DELIVERY, PARTICULARLY IN FACILITATING PUBLIC ACCESS TO CLINICAL TRIALS. ESTABLISHED UNDER THE NATIONAL CANCER Key points: 1. The contract supports the Cancer Information Service (CIS), a critical component of healthcare delivery. 2. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is the awardee, indicating a specific provider for these services. 3. The contract is for a definitive contract with a cost-plus-fixed-fee structure. 4. The service is essential for public access to clinical trials, highlighting its public health importance.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $917,728 for a 1-year period appears reasonable for specialized telemarketing and contact center services related to cancer information and clinical trial access. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for health information hotlines or patient outreach programs would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, typically leading to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for this vital public health service.
Public Impact
Ensures continued public access to crucial cancer information and clinical trial opportunities. Supports patient navigation and engagement in cancer research and treatment. Maintains a vital communication channel for individuals seeking cancer-related guidance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is 1 year, potentially limiting long-term service stability.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure may incentivize cost increases if not closely monitored.
Positive Signals
- Established service critical for public health.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports access to clinical trials.
Sector Analysis
The National Cancer Institute's contract for its Cancer Information Service falls within the broader healthcare and public health sector. Spending benchmarks for similar health information hotlines or patient support services would be relevant for comparison.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Department of Health and Human Services. Standard government oversight mechanisms for cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts and telemarketing services would apply.
Related Government Programs
- Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost creep in cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts.
- Reliance on a single awardee for a critical public service.
- Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-competition and potential disruption.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure service quality and cost control.
Tags
telemarketing-bureaus-and-other-contact-, department-of-health-and-human-services, wa, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $9.2 million to FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER. THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE'S (NCI) CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE (CIS) IS AN EXISTING AND ESTABLISHED CRITICAL COMPONENT OF HEALTHCARE DELIVERY, PARTICULARLY IN FACILITATING PUBLIC ACCESS TO CLINICAL TRIALS. ESTABLISHED UNDER THE NATIONAL CANCER
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 $9.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-01. End: 2026-04-30.
What is the historical performance of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in managing similar public health information services?
Assessing Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center's past performance in managing comparable public health information services, particularly those involving telemarketing and patient outreach, is crucial. Evidence of successful contract execution, adherence to service level agreements, and positive stakeholder feedback would indicate their capability to effectively deliver the Cancer Information Service.
How will the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure be monitored to prevent cost overruns?
The government will likely implement rigorous monitoring of the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure by requiring detailed financial reporting from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Regular audits, performance reviews against established metrics, and clear communication channels will be essential to ensure that costs remain within reasonable bounds and that the fixed fee is justified by the services rendered.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Cancer Information Service under this contract?
Key performance indicators for the Cancer Information Service likely include metrics such as call volume handled, average call duration, caller satisfaction rates, accuracy of information provided, and successful referral rates to clinical trials. These KPIs will be critical for evaluating the effectiveness of the service and the contractor's performance.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 75N91024R00007
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $52,627,838
Exercised Options: $9,177,287
Current Obligation: $9,177,287
Actual Outlays: $4,516,026
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-30
Potential End Date: 2030-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-08
More Contracts from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Women's Health Initiative (WHI) - Clinical Coordinating Center (CCC) - Task Area a — $47.2M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- National Cancer Institute's Contact Center — $37.0M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Core Infrastructure Support for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and END Results (seer) — $34.6M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Clinical Coordinating Center - Task Area a and A2 — $10.2M (Department of Health and Human Services)
Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
- Contact Center Operations (CCO) — $5.5B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- TAS::75 0849::TAS Oper of Govt R&D Goco Facilities — $4.8B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide the Full Complement of Services Necessary to Care for UC in ORR Custody Including Facilities Set-Up, Maintenance, and Support Internal and Perimeter (IF Applicable) Security, Direct Care and Supervision Inc — $3.5B (Rapid Deployment Inc)
- Contact Center Operations — $2.6B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- Federal Contract — $2.4B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →