HHS Awards $33.7M for HCUP Data Services to NORC via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,729,002 ($33.7M)
Contractor: National Opinion Research Center
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-02-21
End Date: 2027-02-20
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: HEALTHCARE COST AND UTILIZATION PROJECT (HCUP) CLIN 0002 BASE AWARD
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $33.7 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: HEALTHCARE COST AND UTILIZATION PROJECT (HCUP) CLIN 0002 BASE AWARD Key points: 1. The contract is for essential healthcare data services supporting the HCUP program. 2. NORC, a well-established research organization, is the awardee. 3. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process. 4. The sector is healthcare data and research, a critical area for public health.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $33.7 million over approximately four years appears reasonable for specialized data services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data collection and analysis contracts would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, indicating that 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 award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical healthcare data analysis.
Public Impact
Supports evidence-based policymaking in healthcare. Enhances understanding of healthcare costs and utilization nationwide. Provides valuable data for researchers and public health officials. Contributes to improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Established awardee with relevant expertise
- Long-term contract supports sustained data collection
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the scientific and technical consulting services sector, specifically focusing on healthcare data. Spending in this area is crucial for informing health policy and research, with benchmarks varying widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data provided does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The awardee, NORC, is a large research organization, suggesting that small businesses were likely not primary awardees on this specific contract, though they may participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a key agency within HHS responsible for health services research. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts are expected to be in place.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Dependence on a single large contractor for critical data.
- Scope creep could increase costs without clear controls.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, 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 $33.7 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. HEALTHCARE COST AND UTILIZATION PROJECT (HCUP) CLIN 0002 BASE AWARD
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 (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $33.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-02-21. End: 2027-02-20.
What is the specific scope of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' within the HCUP program?
These services likely encompass data acquisition, cleaning, analysis, and dissemination for the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). This includes managing large datasets, developing analytical methodologies, and producing reports that inform healthcare policy and research. The specific tasks would be detailed in the contract's statement of work.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to ensure effectiveness?
Key performance indicators would likely focus on data accuracy, timeliness of delivery, completeness of datasets, and the successful execution of analytical tasks. Adherence to reporting schedules, responsiveness to data requests, and the quality of insights generated would also be critical measures of effectiveness.
How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) align with the risk of cost overruns?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risk for cost overruns as they are not capped. For a project like HCUP, where the scope might evolve, T&M can offer flexibility. However, robust oversight and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate potential cost increases and ensure value for taxpayer money.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL 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: 55 E MONROE ST 30TH FL, CHICAGO, IL, 60603
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: $42,518,854
Exercised Options: $33,729,002
Current Obligation: $33,729,002
Actual Outlays: $23,731,534
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75Q80123D00001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-02-21
Current End Date: 2027-02-20
Potential End Date: 2028-02-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-23
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