HHS Awards $23.4M for Grants.gov Platform Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,401,045 ($23.4M)

Contractor: Nava PBC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-09-09

End Date: 2027-09-08

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SWIFT BPA CALL #2 - SIMPLER GRANTS.GOV SCALED PLATFORM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $23.4 million to NAVA PBC for work described as: SWIFT BPA CALL #2 - SIMPLER GRANTS.GOV SCALED PLATFORM Key points: 1. The contract is for the Scaled Platform for Grants.gov, a critical federal system. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract value is substantial, indicating significant investment in the platform. 4. The duration of the contract is nearly three years, ensuring continuity of service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.4 million over approximately three years appears reasonable for a large-scale IT platform supporting federal grants. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. The use of a BPA Call indicates a pre-competed framework was leveraged.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds allocated to this essential grants management system.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and potential enhancements of Grants.gov, a vital portal for federal grant applicants. Supports the efficient distribution of federal funds across numerous programs and agencies. Provides a stable platform for grant seekers to find and apply for funding opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep on a large IT platform.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical platform maintenance and development.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports a widely used federal system.
Long-term contract provides stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT services, specifically custom computer programming. Federal spending on IT modernization and platform support remains a significant area of investment, with benchmarks varying widely based on complexity and scope.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the awardee is not listed as a small business. Therefore, there is no direct small business participation evident in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA Call suggests that the initial framework underwent competition. Ongoing oversight will be crucial to ensure performance, cost control, and adherence to contract terms throughout the period of performance.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized platform.
Risk of cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Dependence on a single awardee for a critical federal system.
Ensuring long-term platform scalability and adaptability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $23.4 million to NAVA PBC. SWIFT BPA CALL #2 - SIMPLER GRANTS.GOV SCALED PLATFORM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NAVA PBC.

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 $23.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-09. End: 2027-09-08.

What is the specific scope of work for the 'Simpler Grants.gov Scaled Platform' and how does it differ from previous iterations?

The specific scope of work for the 'Simpler Grants.gov Scaled Platform' aims to streamline and enhance the existing Grants.gov system. This likely involves modernizing the user interface, improving search functionalities, simplifying the application submission process, and potentially integrating new features to support grant lifecycle management. The 'simpler' aspect suggests a focus on user experience and efficiency for both grant applicants and administrators.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be measured to ensure value for money?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely focus on system uptime, application processing speed, user satisfaction ratings, reduction in error rates for grant submissions, and successful implementation of new features. Performance will be measured through regular reporting by the contractor, government acceptance testing, and potentially user feedback mechanisms. Adherence to these KPIs will be crucial for ensuring the contractor delivers the expected value and maintains the platform effectively.

Given the long contract duration, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the platform remains technologically relevant and secure against evolving cyber threats?

Mechanisms to ensure technological relevance and security typically include contract clauses requiring the contractor to propose and implement technology refreshes, adhere to evolving cybersecurity standards (e.g., NIST), and undergo regular security audits. The government will likely have provisions for reviewing and approving proposed upgrades and changes to ensure they align with federal IT modernization goals and maintain a robust security posture against emerging cyber threats.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

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: 1445 NEW YORK AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,170,658

Exercised Options: $23,401,045

Current Obligation: $23,401,045

Actual Outlays: $9,501,302

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $2,554,995

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75P00124A00012

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline