NIH Awards $10.5M for NHLBI DIR Professional Support Services to Guidehouse Digital LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,526,508 ($10.5M)
Contractor: Guidehouse Digital LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-03-19
End Date: 2026-09-18
Contract Duration: 1,279 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NHLBI DIVISION OF INTRAMURAL RESEARCH (DIR)
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.5 million to GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NHLBI DIVISION OF INTRAMURAL RESEARCH (DIR) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Guidehouse Digital LLC for professional support services. 2. The contract has a total value of $10.5 million over its duration. 3. The award was made under full and open competition. 4. The primary sector for this spending is Information Technology. 5. The contract duration is approximately 3.5 years.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $10.5 million for 3.5 years of professional support services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar IT professional services contracts suggests this pricing is within expected ranges, especially considering the specialized nature of support for a research division.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring fair market prices. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to secure the best value for taxpayer dollars by encouraging a wide range of qualified bidders to offer competitive pricing.
Public Impact
Supports critical research functions within the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research. Ensures continuity of essential professional services for scientific endeavors. Potential impact on the efficiency and progress of biomedical research. Services likely involve IT support, data management, or project coordination.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific detail on services provided.
- Potential for scope creep given the long duration.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical support functions.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract type limits cost overruns.
- Long-term award provides stability for research operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT professional services sector, supporting a government research division. Spending benchmarks for similar IT support services for federal research agencies typically range from moderate to high, depending on specialization and scope.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Guidehouse Digital LLC, a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were subcontracted for this specific award, which could be an area for future consideration to promote small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of HHS. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts are expected to be in place, including performance monitoring and compliance checks.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized services.
- Limited visibility into specific task orders and their execution.
- Dependence on contractor for critical research infrastructure support.
- Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure service quality.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.5 million to GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC. PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NHLBI DIVISION OF INTRAMURAL RESEARCH (DIR)
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 $10.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-19. End: 2026-09-18.
What specific IT and professional support functions are included in this contract, and how do they directly contribute to the NHLBI's research objectives?
The contract likely encompasses a range of services such as custom computer programming, IT systems management, data analysis support, and potentially project management for research initiatives. These functions are crucial for maintaining the infrastructure and operational efficiency that underpins the NHLBI's intramural research, enabling scientists to focus on discovery and innovation without being hindered by technical or administrative challenges.
Given the $10.5 million value and 3.5-year duration, what are the primary risks associated with vendor performance and potential cost overruns?
Key risks include potential underperformance by Guidehouse Digital LLC in delivering specialized IT and professional services, leading to research delays. Scope creep is another concern, where the services requested may expand beyond the initial agreement, potentially straining the firm fixed price. Ensuring clear performance metrics and proactive contract management will be vital to mitigate these risks.
How does the firm fixed price contract type ensure cost-effectiveness and taxpayer value for these professional support services?
The firm fixed price (FFP) structure establishes a ceiling on the total cost, transferring most of the cost risk to the contractor, Guidehouse Digital LLC. This incentivizes the contractor to manage their resources efficiently and control costs to maximize profit. For the government, it provides budget certainty and protects against unexpected cost increases, thereby enhancing taxpayer value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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
Solicitation ID: 75N92023Q0596
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1676 INTERNATIONAL DR STE 800, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,526,508
Exercised Options: $10,526,508
Current Obligation: $10,526,508
Actual Outlays: $8,209,603
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F0373X
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-19
Current End Date: 2026-09-18
Potential End Date: 2026-09-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-30
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