HHS awards $2.08M contract for scientific consulting, with a 5-year performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,075,620 ($2.1M)

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: $955/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SOAR - TO349_75N95025F00027

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.1 million to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: SOAR - TO349_75N95025F00027 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the 5-year duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. Fixed Price Award Fee contract type incentivizes performance while managing cost. 4. The contract is for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services', indicating a broad support role. 5. The award was made by the National Institutes of Health, a major research arm of HHS. 6. The contractor, GAP SOLUTIONS, INC., has secured this contract through a competitive process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.08 million over five years, averaging around $416,000 annually, seems within a reasonable range for specialized scientific consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for NIH or other federal research agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Fixed Price Award Fee structure suggests an effort to balance cost control with performance incentives, which is a positive sign for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide suitable solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a robust bidding process and encourages a wider pool of qualified contractors to offer their services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the researchers and programs within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that require specialized scientific and technical consulting. The services delivered will support various scientific initiatives and research endeavors managed by NIH. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located and likely where services will be performed or coordinated. Workforce implications may include the creation or sustainment of specialized consulting roles within GAP SOLUTIONS, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' are not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical consulting support could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a healthy market interest and potential for strong contractor performance.
The Fixed Price Award Fee structure provides an incentive for the contractor to meet or exceed performance expectations.
The 5-year duration allows for continuity of services and potential for building institutional knowledge.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Scientific and Technical Consulting Services sector, a broad category supporting government research and development efforts. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often involves supporting complex scientific projects. The National Institutes of Health is a major consumer of such services, utilizing them to advance medical research across numerous disciplines. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar consulting services awarded by federal research agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The focus remains on the prime contractor's ability to deliver services, with potential for larger businesses to be involved if they are subcontractors to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers at the National Institutes of Health. The Fixed Price Award Fee structure implies performance metrics that will be monitored to determine award fees. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would be that of the HHS Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Support Contracts
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Federal Research and Development Support
Health and Human Services Consulting Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope impacting cost and performance.
Reliance on contractor's specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.1 million to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC.. SOAR - TO349_75N95025F00027

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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. in performing federal contracts, particularly those related to scientific consulting?

Assessing the track record of GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, their values, durations, and agencies served. Specific attention should be paid to contracts with similar scopes of work, such as scientific or technical consulting. Performance evaluations (past performance information) from previous contracts, if available, would provide crucial insights into their reliability, quality of service, and ability to meet deadlines and budgetary constraints. A history of successful contract completions and positive performance reviews would indicate a lower risk for this current award.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar scientific consulting services procured by NIH or other federal agencies?

The annual cost of this contract averages approximately $416,000 ($2.08M / 5 years). To benchmark this value, one would need to identify comparable contracts for scientific and technical consulting services awarded by the NIH or other federal research agencies (e.g., NSF, DOD research arms) over the past 2-3 years. Key comparison points would include the scope of services, required expertise, contract duration, and contract type. If similar contracts with comparable scopes and durations are found to be significantly lower or higher in annual cost, it would suggest whether this award represents excellent, fair, or questionable value for money. Without specific comparable data, the current assessment is based on general industry knowledge.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks could include the contractor's ability to deliver the specialized scientific expertise required, potential for cost overruns if the Fixed Price Award Fee structure is not managed effectively, and the risk of performance deficiencies impacting NIH research timelines. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract type and oversight. The Award Fee component incentivizes performance, while the Fixed Price aspect provides a cost ceiling. The contracting officer's technical representatives (COTRs) at NIH are responsible for monitoring performance against defined metrics. The full and open competition process itself mitigates risk by selecting a contractor deemed capable through a competitive evaluation.

How effective is the Fixed Price Award Fee contract type in ensuring both cost control and high-quality performance for scientific consulting?

The Fixed Price Award Fee (FPAF) contract type aims to balance cost certainty with performance incentives. The 'Fixed Price' component establishes a ceiling on the total amount the government will pay, providing cost control. The 'Award Fee' component allows for additional payment based on the contractor's achievement of specific performance objectives, incentivizing high-quality work. For scientific consulting, this can be effective if the performance criteria are clearly defined, measurable, and aligned with the project's scientific goals. However, the effectiveness hinges on the clarity and objectivity of the award fee criteria and the rigor of the government's performance evaluation process.

What is the historical spending trend for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' at the NIH, and how does this award fit within that trend?

Analyzing historical spending trends for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' at the NIH would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would reveal the typical volume and value of contracts awarded in this category. This specific $2.08 million award over five years represents a moderate investment within the broader NIH research support ecosystem. If historical data shows a consistent or increasing demand for such services, this award aligns with established patterns. Conversely, a significant deviation from historical spending could warrant further investigation into the specific needs driving this contract.

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE (M)

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: $2,075,620

Exercised Options: $2,075,620

Current Obligation: $2,075,620

Actual Outlays: $569,071

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