HHS awards $188M contract for technical services supporting health campaigns, with Fors Marsh Group LLC as the primary contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $188,303,478 ($188.3M)

Contractor: Fors Marsh Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-07-30

End Date: 2022-04-30

Contract Duration: 274 days

Daily Burn Rate: $687.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO PROVIDE HHS WITH A MECHANISM TO OBTAIN TECHNICAL SERVICES SUPPORTING A FULL RANGE OF CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES TAILORED TO UNIQUE COMBINATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC, DEMOGRAPHIC, PSYCHOGRAPHIC, SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL FACTORS TO TARGET BOTH NATIONAL AND NICH

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $188.3 million to FORS MARSH GROUP LLC for work described as: TO PROVIDE HHS WITH A MECHANISM TO OBTAIN TECHNICAL SERVICES SUPPORTING A FULL RANGE OF CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES TAILORED TO UNIQUE COMBINATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC, DEMOGRAPHIC, PSYCHOGRAPHIC, SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL FACTORS TO TARGET BOTH NATIONAL AND NICH Key points: 1. The contract aims to provide technical support for health campaigns, targeting diverse populations with tailored strategies. 2. The duration of the contract is 274 days, indicating a focused, short-term engagement for specific campaign needs. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose budget risks if not closely managed. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process. 5. The geographic focus appears national, aiming for broad reach in public health messaging. 6. The specific NAICS code (511199) points to services related to publishing and information dissemination.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $188.3 million for a 274-day period suggests a high daily burn rate, necessitating careful scrutiny of the services provided and their alignment with campaign objectives. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data for similar technical support services in public health campaigns, it is difficult to definitively benchmark value. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously monitored, potentially impacting overall value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specifics of the number of bidders are not provided, but the competitive nature of the award suggests that the government sought the best value through a transparent process. This approach generally fosters price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a process designed to ensure that the selected contractor offers the most advantageous terms, potentially leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the public, who will receive targeted health campaign information. The services delivered include technical support for a full range of campaign activities, tailored to specific demographic and cultural factors. The geographic impact is national, aiming to reach diverse populations across the United States. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized technical and communication professionals to execute the campaign strategies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials contract type carries inherent risk for cost escalation if not managed with strict oversight.
The substantial award amount for a relatively short period requires diligent performance monitoring to ensure value.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it challenging to assess the effectiveness of the technical support.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair selection process.
The contract aims to support critical public health campaigns, addressing important societal needs.
The contractor, Fors Marsh Group LLC, is tasked with providing specialized technical support for targeted outreach.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to advertising and public relations, and publishing. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in campaign development, media outreach, and data analysis. The total federal spending in this broad category can be in the billions annually, with specific allocations for public health initiatives often fluctuating based on national priorities and health crises. This contract represents a significant investment in targeted communication strategies for public health.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is unlikely that small businesses were exclusively targeted, though they may have participated as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation or subcontracting opportunities generated by this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as the awarding agency. Standard contract management processes, including performance reviews, financial audits, and adherence to the terms of the Time and Materials agreement, would be in place. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific operational details of the campaign support may be less public.

Related Government Programs

Public Health Campaigns
Health Communication Services
Technical Support Services
Advertising and Public Relations
Information Dissemination Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type may lead to cost overruns.
Broad NAICS code may not fully capture specialized technical requirements.
Short contract duration requires rapid and efficient execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $188.3 million to FORS MARSH GROUP LLC. TO PROVIDE HHS WITH A MECHANISM TO OBTAIN TECHNICAL SERVICES SUPPORTING A FULL RANGE OF CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES TAILORED TO UNIQUE COMBINATIONS OF GEOGRAPHIC, DEMOGRAPHIC, PSYCHOGRAPHIC, SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL FACTORS TO TARGET BOTH NATIONAL AND NICH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FORS MARSH GROUP 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 $188.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-07-30. End: 2022-04-30.

What is the track record of Fors Marsh Group LLC in managing large federal contracts, particularly those involving public health campaigns?

Fors Marsh Group LLC has a history of securing and performing on federal contracts, including work related to public health and communication. While specific details on their track record with large-scale HHS campaigns are not fully elaborated in this data, their engagement on this $188 million contract suggests a level of established capability and trust from the agency. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews, contract history with similar agencies, and the scope of previous projects would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their expertise and reliability in managing complex, high-value federal engagements. Their ability to successfully execute this current contract will be a key indicator of their future performance potential.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to other contract types for similar technical support services in public health?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts offer flexibility, allowing for adjustments in scope and effort as a project evolves, which can be beneficial for dynamic campaigns. However, T&M contracts are generally considered higher risk for cost overruns compared to Fixed-Price contracts, as the final cost is not predetermined. For technical support services in public health, agencies often weigh the need for flexibility against the desire for cost certainty. While T&M might be chosen for its adaptability to evolving campaign needs, agencies typically implement stringent oversight, labor hour limitations, and detailed reporting requirements to mitigate cost risks. Other contract types like Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) or Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) might offer more predictable budgeting but could be less responsive to unforeseen changes in campaign strategy or execution.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the technical services provided under this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for technical services supporting health campaigns, typical KPIs would likely focus on the effectiveness of campaign outreach, engagement metrics (e.g., website traffic, social media interaction, call center volume), message dissemination reach, and potentially public health outcome indicators relevant to the campaign's goals. The success of the technical support would be measured by its contribution to achieving these campaign-specific objectives. The agency would monitor contractor performance against these KPIs through regular reporting, reviews, and potentially site visits to ensure the services delivered are meeting the required standards and contributing to the overall success of the health initiatives.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar technical support services by HHS or NIH over the past five years?

Historical spending patterns for technical support services by HHS and NIH in areas related to health campaigns can vary significantly year over year, influenced by public health priorities, legislative funding, and the initiation of new campaigns or initiatives. While specific figures for 'technical services supporting campaign activities' are not readily available without deeper database queries, federal agencies like HHS and NIH consistently invest in communication, outreach, and technical support to disseminate health information and promote public well-being. Spending in this category can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scale and urgency of public health needs. Analyzing broader categories such as 'advertising and public relations,' 'management consulting,' and 'health research support' would provide a more comprehensive view of the agency's investment in related services over time.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'All Other Publishers' NAICS code (511199) in the context of this contract?

The NAICS code 511199, 'All Other Publishers,' is broad and encompasses a wide range of publishing activities beyond traditional print or digital media. In the context of this contract for technical services supporting health campaigns, the primary risk associated with this classification might be a lack of specificity regarding the core technical competencies required. While it suggests services related to information dissemination, it doesn't inherently define expertise in areas like advanced data analytics, digital platform development, or complex campaign management systems that might be crucial. The agency needs to ensure that Fors Marsh Group LLC possesses the precise technical capabilities needed for modern health campaigns, irrespective of the broad NAICS code, and that the contract's Statement of Work clearly delineates these requirements to mitigate risks of inadequate technical support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › All Other Publishers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1010 N. GLEBE RD, STE 510, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $188,303,478

Exercised Options: $188,303,478

Current Obligation: $188,303,478

Actual Outlays: $188,302,373

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98019D00007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline