HHS Awards $28.7M for MIECHV Technical Assistance, Boosting Early Childhood Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,738,243 ($28.7M)
Contractor: Education Development Center, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2020-09-10
End Date: 2025-09-09
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: MCHB - MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING (MIECHV) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: WALTHAM, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02453
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $28.7 million to EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC. for work described as: MCHB - MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING (MIECHV) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract supports vital maternal and child health programs. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include program effectiveness and long-term sustainability. 4. The sector is Health and Human Services, focusing on public health initiatives.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $28.7M over five years appears reasonable for a national technical assistance program. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public health support contracts would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust process to solicit bids. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the best value is sought.
Taxpayer Impact: This investment aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes, potentially leading to long-term savings in healthcare and social services for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Enhances support for vulnerable families through home visiting programs. Aims to improve health and developmental outcomes for infants and children. Strengthens the capacity of organizations delivering critical early childhood services. Contributes to the national goal of reducing infant mortality and improving maternal health.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10
Warning Flags
- Ensuring sustained program impact beyond the contract period.
- Measuring the direct correlation between technical assistance and improved health outcomes.
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical early childhood development.
- Leverages established technical assistance models.
- Long-term contract duration allows for sustained support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Health and Human Services sector, specifically focusing on public health and social services. Spending benchmarks for similar national technical assistance programs are typically in the multi-million dollar range over several years.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate specific set-asides for small businesses. The primary contractor, Education Development Center, Inc., is a large non-profit organization. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Health and Human Services, through HRSA, is responsible for oversight. The contract's duration and scope suggest a need for robust performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure accountability and effective use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Health Resources and Services Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep
- Dependency on continued federal funding
- Challenges in measuring direct impact
- Ensuring equitable distribution of resources
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $28.7 million to EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC.. MCHB - MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING (MIECHV) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Health Resources and Services Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $28.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-10. End: 2025-09-09.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the technical assistance provided?
The effectiveness of the technical assistance will likely be evaluated through a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures. This could include tracking the adoption of best practices by funded programs, improvements in participant engagement, and ultimately, measurable changes in maternal and child health indicators within the communities served by the home visiting programs.
What are the primary risks associated with the long-term sustainability of the MIECHV program beyond this contract?
Key risks to long-term sustainability include fluctuating federal appropriations, shifts in political priorities, and the challenge of demonstrating consistent, long-term ROI to justify continued investment. Additionally, maintaining program fidelity across diverse state and local contexts while adapting to evolving research can pose significant challenges.
How does this technical assistance program directly contribute to reducing health disparities among underserved populations?
The program aims to reduce disparities by providing targeted support and resources to home visiting programs that serve vulnerable and underserved populations. This includes ensuring these programs have access to evidence-based practices, culturally competent training, and effective management strategies, thereby improving the quality and reach of services to those most in need.
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: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 43 FOUNDRY AVENUE, WALTHAM, MA, 02453
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: $29,617,748
Exercised Options: $28,738,243
Current Obligation: $28,738,243
Actual Outlays: $22,974,392
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 6
Total Subaward Amount: $11,687,547
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75R60219D00040
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-10
Current End Date: 2025-09-09
Potential End Date: 2025-09-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-10
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