NIH Awards $394.6M SOAR Contract to Gap Solutions, Inc. for Scientific, Operations, and Administrative Resources
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $394,620 ($394.6K)
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: $182/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: SCIENTIFIC, OPERATIONS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES (SOAR) TO THE NIH
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $394,620 to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: SCIENTIFIC, OPERATIONS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES (SOAR) TO THE NIH Key points: 1. Contract value of $394.6 million over its period of performance. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and adherence to firm-fixed-price terms. 4. The sector is primarily IT and professional services supporting scientific research.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The firm-fixed-price contract with a significant value suggests a well-defined scope of work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT and administrative support contracts is necessary for a precise assessment, but the structure implies a focus on cost control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value. This method aims to ensure fair market prices by soliciting bids from all qualified sources.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by leveraging market forces to drive down costs and improve service quality.
Public Impact
Supports critical scientific operations at the National Institutes of Health. Ensures continuity of essential administrative and operational services. Impacts researchers and staff relying on these support functions. Potential for improved efficiency in NIH operations through contracted services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is substantial (nearly 6 years).
- Potential for scope creep if requirements are not tightly managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type can provide cost certainty.
- Supports a vital government agency (NIH).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on IT and administrative support for research institutions. Spending benchmarks in this area vary widely based on scope, but large-scale contracts like this are common for federal agencies requiring extensive support.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Gap Solutions, Inc., and the data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on small business participation is not evident from this award alone, though the prime contractor may utilize subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure Gap Solutions, Inc. meets performance expectations and adheres to the firm-fixed-price terms. The NIH Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will play a key role in monitoring performance and managing the contract effectively.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is long (2173 days).
- Potential for contractor performance issues.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical functions.
- Scope management is critical to prevent cost overruns.
- Need for strong government oversight.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-health-and-human-services, va, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $394,620 to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC.. SCIENTIFIC, OPERATIONS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES (SOAR) TO THE NIH
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 $394,620.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-07-08. End: 2027-06-20.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate Gap Solutions, Inc.'s performance in providing scientific, operations, and administrative resources?
Performance evaluation will likely involve key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to service level agreements (SLAs) outlined in the contract. These could include response times for administrative requests, uptime for IT systems, accuracy in data management, and overall user satisfaction from NIH staff. Regular performance reviews and reporting will be essential.
How does the firm-fixed-price structure mitigate risks associated with potential cost overruns for the NIH?
The firm-fixed-price (FFP) structure shifts the majority of the cost risk to the contractor, Gap Solutions, Inc. The NIH agrees to pay a set price for the defined scope of work, regardless of the contractor's actual costs. This provides budget certainty for the government, as long as the scope of work remains stable and is not expanded.
What is the potential impact on NIH's research mission if Gap Solutions, Inc. fails to deliver critical operational and administrative support effectively?
A failure in delivering critical support could significantly disrupt the NIH's research mission. This might manifest as delays in research projects, inability to access necessary administrative services, IT system outages impacting data analysis, and overall decreased productivity for researchers and staff. The reliance on a single contractor necessitates robust contingency planning.
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: 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: $501,782
Exercised Options: $394,620
Current Obligation: $394,620
Actual Outlays: $18,373
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: 2027-06-20
Potential End Date: 2027-06-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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