HHS awards $113M contract for scientific consulting services to Gap Solutions, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $113,035 ($113.0K)
Contractor: GAP Solutions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2021-07-08
End Date: 2026-06-21
Contract Duration: 1,809 days
Daily Burn Rate: $62/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SOAR - TO317_75N95024F00116
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $113,035.04 to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: SOAR - TO317_75N95024F00116 Key points: 1. Contract value of $113 million over its period of performance. 2. Services are categorized under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'. 3. The contract was awarded using full and open competition. 4. The period of performance spans over 1800 days. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 6. The award was made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $113 million for scientific consulting services over approximately five years appears reasonable given the scope of work typically undertaken by NIH. Benchmarking against similar large-scale consulting contracts within the federal government for scientific support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Firm Fixed Price structure offers cost certainty for the government, mitigating risk of cost overruns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders indicates a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a competitive bidding process, which can drive down prices and improve the quality of services received.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the National Institutes of Health, which will receive scientific consulting services to support its mission. The services delivered are expected to enhance the NIH's research and development capabilities. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contract is managed. The contract supports specialized scientific consulting roles, potentially impacting the scientific workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on work is not competed.
- Ensuring continued innovation and cost-effectiveness over the contract's duration.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Award to an established entity with experience in federal contracting.
Sector Analysis
The federal spending on scientific and technical consulting services is substantial, supporting various agencies' research, development, and operational needs. This contract falls within the broader professional services sector, which is a significant component of federal procurement. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar scientific support contracts at agencies like NIH or other research-intensive bodies would provide further context on market rates and typical contract sizes.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this award. The focus appears to be on securing the best value through open competition, rather than specifically targeting small business prime contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers at the National Institutes of Health. The Firm Fixed Price nature of the contract simplifies some aspects of financial oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NIH Research and Development Contracts
- Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Federal Professional Services Procurement
Risk Flags
- Moderate competition level (2 bidders) may limit price discovery.
- Contract duration of over 1800 days requires sustained oversight.
- Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Tags
health-and-human-services, national-institutes-of-health, scientific-consulting, other-scientific-and-technical-consulting-services, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, maryland, large-contract, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $113,035.04 to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC.. SOAR - TO317_75N95024F00116
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 $113,035.04.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-07-08. End: 2026-06-21.
What is the track record of Gap Solutions, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?
Gap Solutions, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those within the scientific and technical consulting domain. A detailed review of their past performance, particularly on contracts with the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health, would reveal their success in meeting performance requirements, managing budgets, and adhering to timelines. Analyzing past contract awards and performance evaluations, where publicly available, can provide insights into their reliability and expertise in delivering similar services. This includes assessing their ability to manage complex projects, provide qualified personnel, and achieve client satisfaction on prior engagements.
How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar consulting services?
Benchmarking the $113 million contract value against market rates for similar scientific and technical consulting services requires detailed analysis of labor categories, skill sets, and geographic locations. Without specific details on the labor mix and service levels, a precise comparison is challenging. However, given the duration of the contract (over 1800 days) and the awarding agency (NIH), the overall value suggests a significant scope of work. Comparing the average loaded labor rates or project costs for comparable federal contracts or commercial engagements would be necessary to determine if this award represents a competitive price. The Firm Fixed Price structure implies that the contractor has factored in market rates and their own cost structure to arrive at this total.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they mitigated?
Key risks include potential performance deficiencies, cost overruns (though mitigated by FFP), and contractor personnel turnover. Performance risks are typically managed through robust contract oversight, clear performance metrics, and regular progress reviews by NIH. The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract structure inherently shifts some cost risk to the contractor, providing a degree of protection against unexpected cost increases for the government. Mitigating personnel turnover risk involves ensuring the contract includes requirements for qualified personnel and potentially incentives for retention or penalties for excessive churn. The limited competition (2 bidders) could also be a risk if the chosen contractor underperforms, as re-competing may be time-consuming.
How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive indicator for taxpayer value. However, with only two bidders, the level of competition was moderate. While full and open competition theoretically maximizes the potential for competitive pricing, a limited number of bidders might suggest barriers to entry, specialized requirements, or a concentrated market. This could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing than if there were a larger pool of interested and capable vendors. Taxpayer value is enhanced when competition drives down prices and spurs innovation; a moderate competition level warrants continued monitoring of contract performance and pricing.
What is the historical spending pattern for similar services at NIH?
Historical spending patterns for similar scientific and technical consulting services at NIH are likely substantial, reflecting the agency's extensive research mission. NIH frequently procures specialized expertise to support its vast array of research programs, clinical trials, and scientific initiatives. Analyzing past contract awards for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) or related categories over the last 5-10 years would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and awarded vendors. This historical data is crucial for understanding the typical scale of such procurements and for benchmarking current contract awards like this $113 million award to Gap Solutions, Inc.
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: $113,035
Exercised Options: $113,035
Current Obligation: $113,035
Actual Outlays: $121,477
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
Start Date: 2021-07-08
Current End Date: 2026-06-21
Potential End Date: 2026-06-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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