HHS awards $2.5M contract to Eastern Research Group for science and data policy analysis
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,534,795 ($2.5M)
Contractor: Eastern Research Group Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-09-29
End Date: 2026-09-28
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: SCIENCE AND DATA POLICY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.5 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC for work described as: SCIENCE AND DATA POLICY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.5M over 3 years. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. Potential for impact on federal science and data policy. 4. Services fall under administrative management consulting.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.5M for 3 years appears reasonable for specialized policy research and analysis services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was employed, suggesting a robust process for selecting the contractor. This method generally leads to competitive pricing and ensures a wide range of qualified vendors can participate.
Taxpayer Impact: The $2.5M expenditure is for essential policy research, aiming to improve federal science and data management, which should yield long-term benefits for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Impacts federal science and data policy development. Supports evidence-based decision-making within HHS. Enhances the management of scientific data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in policy analysis.
- Reliance on contractor expertise for critical policy insights.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical area of federal operations.
- Clear contract duration and value.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, a common area for federal agencies to procure external expertise. Spending benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on specialization.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this specific award, as the prime contractor is Eastern Research Group Inc. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were offered.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration within HHS, suggesting internal oversight. The use of full and open competition also implies a degree of accountability in the procurement process.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing model can lead to cost overruns.
- Potential for contractor recommendations to be theoretical rather than practical.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.5 million to EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC. SCIENCE AND DATA POLICY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EASTERN RESEARCH GROUP INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.
What specific policy areas will this contract focus on, and how will success be measured?
The contract focuses on 'SCIENCE AND DATA POLICY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS'. Success will likely be measured by the quality, relevance, and actionable nature of the research and analysis provided to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. Specific metrics would typically be detailed in the Statement of Work, assessing the contractor's ability to deliver timely and insightful policy recommendations.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on external consultants for science and data policy?
Risks include a potential lack of institutional knowledge, the possibility of contractor recommendations not aligning with long-term agency goals, and the cost associated with external expertise. Ensuring clear communication, defined deliverables, and robust oversight can mitigate these risks. The time and materials pricing model also introduces a risk of cost overruns if not carefully managed.
How will the insights from this contract contribute to improved federal data governance and scientific integrity?
The contract aims to provide research and analysis that can inform the development and refinement of federal policies related to science and data. This could lead to improved data management practices, enhanced data sharing protocols, and stronger frameworks for scientific integrity across federal agencies. The ultimate effectiveness depends on the agency's adoption and implementation of the contractor's recommendations.
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: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 110 HARTWELL AVE STE 1, LEXINGTON, MA, 02421
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,744,106
Exercised Options: $2,534,795
Current Obligation: $2,534,795
Actual Outlays: $1,653,669
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSP233201500055I
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-29
Current End Date: 2026-09-28
Potential End Date: 2028-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-26
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