HHS Awards $85.5M for PATH Study to Westat, Inc. Over 5 Years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $85,470,330 ($85.5M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2024-02-01
End Date: 2030-11-30
Contract Duration: 2,494 days
Daily Burn Rate: $34.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: POPULATION ASSESSMENT OF TOBACCO AND HEALTH (PATH) STUDY PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 02/01/2024-01/31/2029
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $85.5 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: POPULATION ASSESSMENT OF TOBACCO AND HEALTH (PATH) STUDY PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 02/01/2024-01/31/2029 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Westat, Inc. for the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. 2. The contract has a period of performance from February 1, 2024, to January 31, 2029. 3. The total award amount is $85,470,330. 4. This falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. The contract was awarded via full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $85.5 million over five years appears reasonable for a large-scale, longitudinal health study. Benchmarking against similar large-scale epidemiological or health survey contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for soliciting and evaluating proposals. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical public health research.
Public Impact
Supports ongoing research into tobacco use and its health impacts, crucial for public health policy. The PATH study provides valuable data for understanding trends and developing interventions. Findings can inform federal, state, and local strategies to reduce tobacco-related diseases. Long-term data collection ensures a comprehensive understanding of evolving tobacco product use.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 70 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in long-term research projects.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a critical, long-term study.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Clear period of performance and defined objectives.
- Supports a vital public health research initiative.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically life sciences research. Spending in this area is critical for advancing public health knowledge and informing policy. Benchmarks for similar large-scale health studies would be relevant for a detailed comparison.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to a single large business (Westat, Inc.) and does not show any specific set-asides or subcontracting plans for small businesses in this award notice. Further review of the contract details would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, indicating established oversight mechanisms. The definitive contract structure with a defined period of performance suggests accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Long-term contract duration may increase risk of scope creep.
- Potential for participant attrition impacting data quality over time.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a critical, multi-year research effort.
- Need for robust data management and security protocols.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, 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 $85.5 million to WESTAT, INC.. POPULATION ASSESSMENT OF TOBACCO AND HEALTH (PATH) STUDY PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 02/01/2024-01/31/2029
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, INC..
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 $85.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-02-01. End: 2030-11-30.
What is the historical performance of Westat, Inc. on similar large-scale government research contracts, particularly regarding budget adherence and timely delivery?
Assessing Westat's past performance on comparable contracts is crucial. Reviewing their track record on projects of similar scope, duration, and complexity, specifically looking at their ability to manage budgets effectively and meet deadlines, will provide insight into their reliability for the PATH study. This includes examining any past performance reviews or audit findings.
Are there any identified risks associated with the long-term nature of the PATH study, such as data attrition or changes in research methodologies over the contract period?
The long-term nature of the PATH study presents inherent risks, including participant attrition, which can impact data validity. Changes in tobacco product landscape and research methodologies over the five-year period also pose challenges. Mitigation strategies, such as robust participant retention plans and adaptive research protocols, are essential to maintain data integrity and study relevance.
How will the effectiveness of the research findings be measured and disseminated to ensure maximum public health impact?
Effectiveness will likely be measured by the study's contribution to scientific understanding, policy development, and public health interventions. Dissemination plans should include peer-reviewed publications, presentations at scientific conferences, and accessible reports for policymakers and the public. Tracking the uptake and impact of findings on tobacco control policies and programs will be key.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 75N95023R00001
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $797,846,704
Exercised Options: $85,470,330
Current Obligation: $85,470,330
Actual Outlays: $21,291,421
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-02-01
Current End Date: 2030-11-30
Potential End Date: 2036-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-29
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