HHS Awards $46.8M Contract for Early Care and Education Survey to National Opinion Research Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,838,214 ($46.8M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-09-23

End Date: 2027-03-28

Contract Duration: 2,012 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL SURVEY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION OF 2024

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60603

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $46.8 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: NATIONAL SURVEY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION OF 2024 Key points: 1. The contract supports a national survey on early care and education, a critical area for public policy. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 3. The contract value is substantial, requiring careful monitoring for efficiency. 4. The sector involves social science research and data collection, aligning with NIH's mission.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar large-scale survey contracts is recommended to ensure value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The use of a delivery order under a larger contract structure needs to be assessed for its impact on overall price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The substantial investment in this survey aims to provide valuable data for policy decisions, potentially leading to improved early childhood programs and better long-term outcomes for children and families.

Public Impact

Provides crucial data for understanding the state of early care and education nationwide. Informs policy development and resource allocation for child development programs. Supports research into the effectiveness and accessibility of early childhood services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Long contract duration (2021-2027) necessitates ongoing performance monitoring.
Potential for scope creep in large survey projects.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition likely ensured competitive pricing.
Awarded to a reputable research organization (NORC).
Addresses a high-priority policy area.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting, focusing on social science research. Benchmarks for similar large-scale national surveys would be relevant for cost-effectiveness analysis.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor is a large research organization. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and the long duration. The awarding agency (HHS/NIH) should ensure robust performance metrics and regular reviews to maintain cost control and ensure the survey meets its objectives.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Long contract duration.
Potential for scope creep.
Lack of specific small business participation noted.
Need for detailed cost benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $46.8 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. NATIONAL SURVEY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION OF 2024

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

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 $46.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-23. End: 2027-03-28.

What is the estimated cost per respondent or data point for this survey, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining the precise cost per respondent or data point requires detailed breakdown of the contract's deliverables and the survey methodology. However, given the $46.8 million value and the complexity of a national survey, the cost per respondent is likely to be significant. A comparative analysis against similar large-scale government-funded surveys would be necessary to assess efficiency and identify potential areas for cost optimization.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will NIH ensure the quality and accuracy of the collected data?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely include timely data collection, adherence to sampling methodologies, data accuracy rates, and the successful delivery of comprehensive reports. NIH's oversight would involve regular progress reviews, data quality checks, and potentially independent validation of findings to ensure the integrity and reliability of the survey results.

How will the findings from this survey be utilized to inform policy decisions and improve early care and education programs?

The findings are intended to provide a comprehensive national picture of early care and education, identifying trends, challenges, and best practices. This data will inform federal and state policy development, resource allocation for childcare subsidies, Head Start programs, and other early childhood initiatives, ultimately aiming to enhance the quality, accessibility, and affordability of these vital services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management 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: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60637

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,838,214

Exercised Options: $46,838,214

Current Obligation: $46,838,214

Actual Outlays: $42,284,795

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSP233201500048I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline