NIH Awards $17.7M Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contract to Social & Scientific Systems for Statistical Analysis
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,678,217 ($17.7M)
Contractor: Social & Scientific Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2021-06-25
End Date: 2026-06-29
Contract Duration: 1,830 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CONTRACTOR: SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC. TASK ORDER: 75N96021F00004 - STATISTICAL PROGRAMMING AND ANALYSIS BASE PERIOD: JUNE 30, 2021 - JUNE 29, 2022 CAN 8469992
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17.7 million to SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: CONTRACTOR: SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC. TASK ORDER: 75N96021F00004 - STATISTICAL PROGRAMMING AND ANALYSIS BASE PERIOD: JUNE 30, 2021 - JUNE 29, 2022 CAN 8469992 Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for statistical programming and analysis services, supporting research and development. 3. The base period value is $17.7 million, with a potential period extending to June 2026. 4. The contractor, Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., has experience in this domain.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which is common for R&D services where costs are not fully predictable. The awarded amount of $17.7M for the base period seems reasonable for specialized statistical analysis and programming.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to result in fair pricing, maximizing taxpayer value for essential research support services.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development efforts within the National Institutes of Health. Ensures access to specialized statistical expertise for complex scientific projects. The contract's duration allows for sustained support of ongoing research initiatives. Transparency in the procurement process through full and open competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts if not closely managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for specialized statistical services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Contractor has relevant experience in statistical analysis.
- Supports vital NIH research objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and innovation, with significant government investment aimed at driving progress in various fields.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this specific procurement, though they may participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The award process under full and open competition suggests a structured procurement. Ongoing oversight by the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health will be crucial to ensure performance and cost control, especially given the CPFF contract type.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or unit costs in the provided data.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is highly concentrated.
- Dependence on contractor's ability to maintain highly skilled personnel.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17.7 million to SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC.. CONTRACTOR: SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC. TASK ORDER: 75N96021F00004 - STATISTICAL PROGRAMMING AND ANALYSIS BASE PERIOD: JUNE 30, 2021 - JUNE 29, 2022 CAN 8469992
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, 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 $17.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-06-25. End: 2026-06-29.
What is the projected total value of the contract if all option periods are exercised?
The provided data specifies the base period value of $17,678,217. However, the contract end date is June 29, 2026, suggesting potential option periods. Without explicit details on the value of these options, the total projected value cannot be determined. Further analysis of the contract's full terms and conditions would be necessary to ascertain the maximum potential value.
How does the per-unit cost of statistical analysis compare to similar NIH contracts?
The provided data does not include specific metrics for 'per-unit cost' of statistical analysis, making direct benchmarking difficult. The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, focusing on overall project costs rather than discrete unit pricing. A detailed cost breakdown and comparison with similar contracts would require access to more granular financial data and historical contract information.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the statistical services provided?
Effectiveness and efficiency are typically ensured through performance standards outlined in the contract Statement of Work (SOW), regular progress reviews, and deliverable acceptance criteria. The CPFF structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs while meeting performance objectives. The government contracting officer and technical monitors are responsible for overseeing performance and ensuring the services meet the research needs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: DLH Holdings Corp
Address: 8757 GEORGIA AVE STE 1200, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,678,217
Exercised Options: $17,678,217
Current Obligation: $17,678,217
Actual Outlays: $13,529,430
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $940,219
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSN273201600003I
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-06-25
Current End Date: 2026-06-29
Potential End Date: 2026-06-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-22
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