HHS awards $2.17M contract for scientific consulting services to Gap Solutions, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,170,736 ($2.2M)

Contractor: GAP Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-07-08

End Date: 2027-06-20

Contract Duration: 2,173 days

Daily Burn Rate: $999/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SOAR - TO308_NBS75N95024F000107

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.2 million to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: SOAR - TO308_NBS75N95024F000107 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for other scientific and technical consulting services, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 3. The duration of the contract is over 2000 days, suggesting a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract is a delivery order, which is a type of task order under a larger contract. 5. The firm fixed price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating it was open to all eligible bidders.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.17 million over approximately 6 years represents a moderate investment for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for scientific and technical consulting is difficult without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to manage costs predictably. The absence of a small business set-aside might indicate that the scope of work required larger, more established firms.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all eligible responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data indicates there were 2 bids received, which is a relatively low number for a full and open competition. This limited number of bidders could potentially impact price discovery and may suggest that the market for these specific services is concentrated or that the requirements were highly specialized.

Taxpayer Impact: While a low number of bidders can sometimes lead to higher prices, the firm fixed-price contract type provides some cost certainty for taxpayers. The government received at least two proposals, indicating some level of competition.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from this contract by securing specialized scientific and technical consulting services. These services are crucial for supporting research and development activities within the NIH. The contract's impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located. The contract supports the scientific consulting sector by providing work for Gap Solutions, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited number of bidders (2) in a full and open competition may indicate potential market concentration or barriers to entry.
The specific nature of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' is broad and could encompass a wide range of activities, making it difficult to assess value without further detail.
The contract duration of over 2000 days requires ongoing monitoring to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness of services.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes a wider range of potential solutions and competitive pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability and incentivizes the contractor to manage expenses efficiently.
The contract is for scientific and technical consulting, indicating a need for specialized expertise that supports critical government functions.

Sector Analysis

The scientific and technical consulting services sector is a vital component of the broader professional services industry, supporting government agencies in areas ranging from research and development to operational efficiency. This contract falls under the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' NAICS code (541690), which is a broad category. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on agency needs, research priorities, and the complexity of the technical challenges faced. Comparable spending benchmarks would require detailed analysis of specific service categories within scientific consulting.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by `ss: false` and `sb: false`. This suggests that the scope of work or the required qualifications were deemed to be better suited for larger businesses, or that the competition was open to all eligible firms regardless of size. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data, which would typically be a consideration in larger contracts to ensure small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a delivery order under a larger contract, the specific terms and conditions of the base contract would also apply. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, which holds the contractor responsible for delivering services within the agreed-upon cost. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Scientific Research Services
Technical Consulting
Professional Services Contracts
Health and Human Services Contracts
National Institutes of Health Contracts

Risk Flags

Low number of bidders in full and open competition.
Broad and potentially undefined scope of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.2 million to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC.. SOAR - TO308_NBS75N95024F000107

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GAP SOLUTIONS, 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 $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-07-08. End: 2027-06-20.

What is the specific nature of the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' being provided under this contract?

The provided data categorizes this contract under NAICS code 541690, 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.' This is a broad classification that can encompass a wide array of specialized advisory and analytical services. Without access to the detailed statement of work (SOW) or task orders associated with this delivery order, the precise nature of the services remains unspecified. It could range from advice on research methodologies, data analysis, laboratory management, regulatory compliance consulting, to technical strategy development. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), as the awarding agency, typically procures such services to support its extensive biomedical research mission, potentially involving areas like clinical trial design, bioinformatics, or public health program evaluation.

How does the $2.17 million contract value compare to similar scientific consulting contracts awarded by the NIH or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $2.17 million contract value requires comparing it to similar 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' contracts awarded by the NIH or other agencies over a comparable timeframe and duration. The contract duration is approximately 2173 days (around 6 years), making the average annual value roughly $300,000. This is a moderate-sized contract. However, the specific nature of the services is critical for a true comparison. Contracts for highly specialized scientific expertise, such as advanced genomics consulting or complex epidemiological modeling, could command higher values. Conversely, more general technical advisory services might fall within this range. A comprehensive analysis would involve querying contract databases for similar NAICS codes, agencies, and service descriptions to establish a more precise market rate.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for scientific consulting services?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally favored for their cost control benefits. However, for scientific consulting, there are potential risks. If the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, the contractor may struggle to deliver the required outcomes within the fixed price, potentially leading to reduced quality or contractor disputes. Conversely, if the scope is too loosely defined, the contractor might deliver minimal effort while still meeting the contract terms, resulting in a poor value for the government. Another risk is that the fixed price might not adequately incentivize innovation or going 'above and beyond' the minimum requirements, which can be crucial in scientific endeavors. Effective oversight and clear performance metrics are essential to mitigate these risks.

Given the limited number of bidders (2) for this full and open competition, what does this imply for the government's ability to secure competitive pricing?

A low number of bidders, such as two in this case, for a full and open competition can raise concerns about the level of competition achieved. Ideally, full and open competition would yield a robust number of proposals, driving down prices through market forces. With only two bidders, the government might not have benefited from the full spectrum of potential pricing strategies or innovative solutions available in the market. This could suggest that the market for these specific services is either niche, highly concentrated among a few providers, or that the barriers to entry for potential bidders were significant (e.g., specialized expertise, security clearances, past performance requirements). While the firm fixed-price contract provides some cost certainty, the government may have paid a higher price than if more bidders had participated.

What is the track record of Gap Solutions, Inc. in performing federal contracts, particularly for scientific or technical consulting?

Assessing the track record of Gap Solutions, Inc. requires examining their past performance on federal contracts. Publicly available data, such as the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), can provide insights into their contract history, including award amounts, agencies served, contract types, and performance ratings if available. A review would focus on contracts with similar scopes of work (scientific and technical consulting) and agencies (like HHS/NIH) to gauge their experience and success rate. Information on contract terminations, disputes, or negative past performance reviews would be critical risk indicators. Without a specific review of their contract history, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record for this particular type of service.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting 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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 205 VAN BUREN ST STE 205, HERNDON, VA, 20170

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,170,736

Exercised Options: $2,170,736

Current Obligation: $2,170,736

Actual Outlays: $789,991

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N95021D00011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline