HHS awards $3M contract for biomedical data translator UI development to Beshenich Muir & Associates

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,034,030 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Beshenich Muir & Associates, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-09-29

End Date: 2025-09-28

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: BIOMEDICAL DATA TRANSLATOR USER INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT

Place of Performance

Location: LEAVENWORTH, LEAVENWORTH County, KANSAS, 66048

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.0 million to BESHENICH MUIR & ASSOCIATES, LLC for work described as: BIOMEDICAL DATA TRANSLATOR USER INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a time and materials basis, which can pose cost control challenges. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a potentially limited but still competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 364 days provides a clear timeframe for project completion. 4. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary agency involved, indicating a focus on health research IT. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services, aligning with software development needs. 6. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking time and materials contracts for UI development is challenging without specific labor rates. However, the total award amount of $3,034,030 for a year of service suggests a moderate investment. Compared to similar UI development contracts for federal health research, this amount appears within a typical range, though detailed cost breakdowns would be needed for a precise value-for-money assessment. The lack of a fixed price could lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation, potentially limiting the number of bidders. The exact reasons for exclusion and the number of actual bidders are not detailed, making it difficult to fully assess the competitive landscape. A limited competition might result in less aggressive pricing compared to truly open solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the most competitive pricing possible due to the exclusion of certain sources. This approach could lead to higher costs than if a broader range of vendors had been allowed to bid.

Public Impact

Researchers and scientists within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will benefit from an improved user interface for the Biomedical Data Translator. The contract will deliver enhanced user interface development services, crucial for accessing and analyzing complex biomedical data. The geographic impact is primarily within the federal research ecosystem, supporting NIH's mission. The contract supports IT professionals and software developers involved in creating and maintaining the user interface.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and materials pricing structure can lead to unpredictable costs if not closely monitored.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method raises questions about the breadth of market engagement.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it hard to gauge project success proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded by the National Institutes of Health, a reputable agency focused on scientific advancement.
The contract is for a defined period (364 days), providing a clear scope and timeline.
The project directly supports the advancement of biomedical data accessibility and analysis.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on software development and user interface design for a scientific application. The market for federal IT services is vast, with significant spending on research and development support. Comparable spending benchmarks for UI development can vary widely based on complexity, but contracts supporting federal research agencies often involve specialized technical requirements. This contract appears to be a targeted investment to improve a critical research tool.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it mention subcontracting goals. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further investigation into the contractor's past performance and subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess the broader implications for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery order's performance work statement and milestones. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are reported. The Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Biomedical Research IT Support
Health Data Management Systems
Federal Software Development Contracts
NIH Research Infrastructure
User Interface Design Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Limited competition may impact price discovery.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.0 million to BESHENICH MUIR & ASSOCIATES, LLC. BIOMEDICAL DATA TRANSLATOR USER INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BESHENICH MUIR & ASSOCIATES, 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 $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-29. End: 2025-09-28.

What is the track record of Beshenich Muir & Associates, LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Health and Human Services?

Beshenich Muir & Associates, LLC has a history of federal contracting, though specific details regarding their performance with HHS or NIH require deeper analysis of contract databases. Examining past awards, contract values, and any reported performance issues or successes would provide insight into their reliability and expertise. Their experience with similar UI development projects, especially those involving complex data or scientific applications, is crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this Biomedical Data Translator contract. A review of their past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would offer further clarity on their track record.

How does the $3.03 million award compare to similar UI development contracts for biomedical research platforms?

The $3.03 million award for a 364-day UI development contract appears to be within a moderate range for specialized federal IT projects. However, direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific scope, complexity, and labor categories involved. Contracts for developing user interfaces for complex data visualization and analysis platforms within scientific research can vary significantly in cost. Factors such as the number of user roles, integration requirements with existing systems, and the need for specialized scientific domain knowledge influence pricing. A more precise benchmark would require analyzing contracts with similar technical requirements and agency focuses, such as those awarded by other NIH institutes or similar research bodies.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for UI development, and how are they mitigated in this case?

The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, rather than a fixed price. This can lead to unpredictable final costs if project scope creeps or if labor hours are not efficiently managed. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust oversight, clearly defined task orders, establishing ceiling prices, and closely monitoring the contractor's labor hours and resource allocation. For this contract, the 364-day duration and the specific task of UI development suggest that the NIH likely has internal project managers and technical experts to oversee the contractor's efforts and ensure adherence to the scope, thereby managing the inherent risks of T&M.

What is the expected effectiveness of the Biomedical Data Translator User Interface development in improving data accessibility for researchers?

The effectiveness of the UI development hinges on its ability to simplify complex data navigation, enhance visualization capabilities, and streamline workflows for researchers. A well-designed interface should reduce the time and effort required to find, access, and interpret biomedical data, thereby accelerating research progress. If the new UI effectively translates complex data structures into intuitive user experiences, it can significantly boost researcher productivity and facilitate new discoveries. The success will be measured by user adoption rates, feedback from the research community, and ultimately, its contribution to advancing NIH's research objectives.

How has federal spending on biomedical IT and data management evolved, and where does this contract fit within that trend?

Federal spending on biomedical IT and data management has seen a consistent upward trend, driven by the increasing volume and complexity of health data, advancements in research methodologies (like genomics and AI), and the push for data sharing and interoperability. Agencies like NIH are investing heavily in infrastructure, platforms, and tools that enable researchers to manage, analyze, and utilize vast datasets. This contract for UI development for the Biomedical Data Translator fits directly into this trend by aiming to improve the usability and accessibility of critical research data resources. It represents a targeted investment to enhance an existing or developing platform, ensuring that the data infrastructure investments translate into tangible research benefits.

What are the implications of awarding this contract under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' for future procurements in this area?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation suggests a specific procurement strategy where the agency identified a need but chose to limit the pool of potential bidders based on certain criteria, perhaps prior performance, specific capabilities, or existing contract vehicles. This approach can streamline the acquisition process but may limit the breadth of competition and potentially impact price competitiveness. For future procurements in biomedical IT, this could signal a trend towards more tailored solicitations if agencies believe they can achieve better results by pre-qualifying or focusing on specific vendor sets. However, it also raises questions about maximizing competition and ensuring fair market access for all capable vendors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 75N95024R00095

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 117 CHEROKEE ST, LEAVENWORTH, KS, 66048

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,146,934

Exercised Options: $3,034,030

Current Obligation: $3,034,030

Actual Outlays: $1,722,455

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D1187

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline