NIH awards $26.2M for Vaccine Research Center support, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,173,234 ($26.2M)

Contractor: Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2020-09-01

End Date: 2024-02-29

Contract Duration: 1,276 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INITIAL AWARD OF ADMINISTRATIVE, LOGISTICAL, CUSTODIAL AND FACILITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE VACCINE RESEARCH CENTER CONTRACT. POP 9/1/2020-8/31/2021.

Place of Performance

Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20878

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $26.2 million to INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: INITIAL AWARD OF ADMINISTRATIVE, LOGISTICAL, CUSTODIAL AND FACILITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE VACCINE RESEARCH CENTER CONTRACT. POP 9/1/2020-8/31/2021. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential administrative, logistical, custodial, and facility support for the Vaccine Research Center. 2. The contract duration extends over multiple years, indicating a need for sustained support. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 4. The contractor, Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC, is responsible for delivering these critical services. 5. The services are vital for the operational continuity and effectiveness of the Vaccine Research Center's research activities. 6. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility in managing research-related expenses while ensuring a defined profit margin. 7. Geographic concentration in Maryland highlights the local impact of this federal spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to similar support service contracts at other federal research facilities. However, the presence of multiple bidders in a full and open competition suggests that the pricing was likely vetted against market rates. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while offering flexibility, necessitates careful oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the fixed fee. Without specific cost data per service category, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides a positive indicator.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple potential offerors were solicited and evaluated. The presence of three bidders suggests a moderate level of competition. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, three is a reasonable number for specialized support services, implying that the government received a range of proposals to choose from.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process likely resulted in a fair market price for the services, benefiting taxpayers by avoiding inflated costs associated with sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the researchers and staff at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Vaccine Research Center, who receive essential operational support. Services delivered include administrative, logistical, custodial, and facility maintenance, ensuring a functional research environment. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where the Vaccine Research Center is located. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for individuals in administrative, custodial, and facility support roles, likely within the local Maryland economy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns under the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure if not rigorously monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support services could pose a risk if performance falters.
Limited transparency into the specific cost components of the 'cost plus' portion without detailed audits.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust vetting process.
Contract duration suggests a stable and reliable support system for the research center.
The contractor has been selected to provide essential services, implying a level of trust and capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting a government research facility. The market for facility support services is broad, encompassing janitorial, logistical, and administrative functions. Federal agencies often contract out these types of services to specialized firms to ensure efficiency and access to expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other NIH or similar research institutions' contracts for facility management and administrative support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided snippet. There is no information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation is mandated or encouraged through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the National Institutes of Health. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to service delivery. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed cost breakdowns may be proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH Vaccine Research Center Operations
Federal Facility Support Services
Administrative and Logistical Support Contracts
Custodial Services Contracts
Research Facility Management

Risk Flags

Contract Type Risk (CPFF)
Performance Monitoring
Cost Control Oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $26.2 million to INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC. INITIAL AWARD OF ADMINISTRATIVE, LOGISTICAL, CUSTODIAL AND FACILITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE VACCINE RESEARCH CENTER CONTRACT. POP 9/1/2020-8/31/2021.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, 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 $26.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-01. End: 2024-02-29.

What is the track record of Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Health and Human Services?

A comprehensive review of Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC's federal contract history would involve analyzing past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or disputes. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would be crucial. Understanding their experience with similar types of services (administrative, logistical, custodial, facility support) and their performance on previous HHS contracts, especially those related to research facilities, would provide insight into their capability and reliability for this specific Vaccine Research Center support contract. Without direct access to these detailed performance records, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record beyond the fact they were awarded this significant contract.

How does the awarded amount of approximately $26.2 million compare to similar facility support contracts at other federal research institutions?

To benchmark this $26.2 million award, one would need to identify comparable federal research facilities (e.g., other NIH centers, CDC facilities, or research arms of agencies like the Department of Defense or Department of Energy) and analyze their contracts for similar administrative, logistical, custodial, and facility support services. Key comparison points would include the size and scope of the facility, the number of personnel supported, the duration of the contract, and the specific services included. Factors like geographic location (cost of labor and services vary by region) and the contract type (e.g., cost-plus vs. fixed-price) also influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests that $26.2 million over the contract's effective period (potentially multiple years, given the end date of Feb 2024 and start date of Sept 2020) is a substantial but not necessarily outlier amount for supporting a significant research center.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for facility support services?

The primary risk indicator for a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost growth. While the 'cost plus' portion covers allowable expenses incurred by the contractor, and the 'fixed fee' represents their profit, there's an inherent risk that costs could escalate beyond initial projections. This necessitates robust government oversight to ensure that all claimed costs are reasonable, allocable, and directly related to the contract's objectives. Without stringent monitoring and auditing, the government could end up paying more than anticipated. For facility support services, risks might include unexpected maintenance needs, fluctuating utility costs, or unforeseen logistical challenges that drive up direct costs. The fixed fee, however, provides a predictable profit margin for the contractor, which can incentivize efficiency if managed well.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided by Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC in supporting the Vaccine Research Center's mission?

The effectiveness of the services provided is critical to the Vaccine Research Center's mission, as these support functions enable researchers to focus on their scientific endeavors. Reliable administrative support ensures smooth operations, efficient logistics prevent disruptions, thorough custodial services maintain a safe and sterile environment, and well-maintained facilities are essential for sensitive research. The effectiveness will be measured by the seamless functioning of these support elements, minimizing downtime and operational hurdles for the scientific staff. Key performance indicators (KPIs) within the contract would likely track response times for requests, cleanliness standards, equipment uptime, and overall satisfaction from the research center's leadership. Successful execution means the support services are largely invisible, allowing the core research mission to proceed without impediment.

How has federal spending on facility support services for research centers like the Vaccine Research Center evolved over the past five years?

Analyzing federal spending trends for facility support services at research centers over the past five years would require aggregating data from similar contracts across various agencies and institutions. This would likely show a general increase in spending, driven by factors such as aging infrastructure requiring more maintenance, expansion of research initiatives (like vaccine development), and the increasing complexity of laboratory environments. Inflationary pressures on labor and materials also contribute to rising costs. Furthermore, shifts in contracting strategies, such as increased reliance on specialized private sector providers for non-core functions, could also be observed. Specific data for the Vaccine Research Center would show its spending trajectory, potentially influenced by the urgency and scale of its research projects, particularly in response to public health crises.

What is the significance of the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990) in the context of this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category used for establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized professional, scientific, or technical services not elsewhere classified. In the context of this contract, it signifies that the services procured go beyond typical administrative or janitorial roles and likely encompass a blend of specialized support functions tailored to the unique needs of a research center. This could include technical assistance, specialized logistical planning for sensitive materials, project management support for facility upgrades, or other unique professional services required to maintain the operational integrity and efficiency of the Vaccine Research Center. Its broad nature suggests the contract covers a diverse set of requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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: 7N93019R00026

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7361 CALHOUN PLACE, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20855

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,361,800

Exercised Options: $29,361,800

Current Obligation: $26,173,234

Actual Outlays: $18,947,631

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline