HHS awards $33.2M for software to UPTODATE, INC., with a 613-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,169 ($33.2K)

Contractor: Uptodate, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-09-25

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 613 days

Daily Burn Rate: $54/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HSB114 C 6256. UPTODATE CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: WALTHAM, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02451

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $33,169.14 to UPTODATE, INC for work described as: HSB114 C 6256. UPTODATE CONTRACT. Key points: 1. The contract's fixed-price nature suggests cost certainty for the government. 2. Competition under SAP indicates a streamlined procurement process, potentially impacting price. 3. The duration of 613 days is moderate for software services. 4. The award to a single vendor warrants scrutiny of the competition dynamics. 5. Performance context is limited without specific deliverables or performance metrics. 6. Sector positioning is within software publishing, a critical area for health information.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $33.2 million contract is challenging without specific details on the software's functionality and scope. However, the award is a Purchase Order under the MAS schedule, which typically offers pre-negotiated pricing. Comparing it to similar software licenses or subscriptions would require understanding the specific product and its market penetration. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability, but the ultimate value depends on the software's effectiveness in meeting the agency's needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting that the procurement was likely streamlined due to the anticipated dollar value. While the data indicates it was 'competed,' the specifics of how many bids were solicited or received are not provided. Limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition, as the pool of potential bidders might be smaller or less diverse.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP may mean a faster acquisition but potentially a higher price than if a broader competition had been conducted. The efficiency gained in procurement time needs to be weighed against the potential for suboptimal price discovery.

Public Impact

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is the primary beneficiary, likely using the software for internal operations or data management. The software delivered is expected to support administrative functions within the health sector. The geographic impact is likely national, given HRSA's scope, though specific user locations are not detailed. Workforce implications are indirect, potentially improving efficiency for HRSA staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess if the full value is being realized.
The limited competition under SAP raises questions about whether the best possible price was secured for taxpayers.
The specific functionality and criticality of the software are not detailed, making it hard to gauge its impact.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarding under the MAS schedule suggests adherence to established procurement vehicles.
The contract is with UPTODATE, INC., a known entity in the software publishing space.

Sector Analysis

The software publishing industry is a significant segment of the technology sector, providing essential tools for various government functions. This contract falls under NAICS code 513210 (Software Publishers). Spending in this area is crucial for modernizing government operations and improving data management. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal procurements for similar software solutions, considering factors like user licenses, support, and maintenance.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside criterion for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus appears to be on acquiring the necessary software solution from the most suitable vendor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its agency, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). As a Purchase Order under the MAS schedule, it is subject to the terms and conditions of that schedule. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, but specific performance oversight details are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Health Information Technology Services
Software Licensing and Support
Federal Information Systems Management
Health Data Management Systems

Risk Flags

Limited competition details
Lack of specific performance metrics
Potential for suboptimal price discovery due to SAP competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $33,169.14 to UPTODATE, INC. HSB114 C 6256. UPTODATE CONTRACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UPTODATE, 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 $33,169.14.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-25. End: 2027-05-31.

What is the specific functionality of the software being procured by HRSA from UPTODATE, INC.?

The provided data does not specify the exact functionality of the software procured from UPTODATE, INC. The NAICS code 513210 indicates it falls under 'Software Publishers.' Without further details, it's presumed to be a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product or a customized version thereof, likely supporting administrative, data management, or operational needs within the Health Resources and Services Administration. To understand its function, one would need to consult HRSA's internal documentation or the contract's statement of work, which are not publicly detailed in this summary.

How does the $33.2 million award compare to historical spending on similar software by HRSA or HHS?

Comparing this $33.2 million award to historical spending requires access to detailed historical contract data for HRSA and HHS specifically for software from UPTODATE, INC. or comparable vendors. The provided data only shows this single, current contract. To perform a historical comparison, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for previous awards to UPTODATE, INC. or for similar software categories (e.g., health information management software, administrative software) by the same agency over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in spending, identify potential price escalations, and contextualize the current award's magnitude.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables associated with this contract?

The provided data summary does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. As a firm fixed-price purchase order, it is expected to have defined deliverables, such as software licenses, maintenance, and support services, with specific acceptance criteria. However, the details of these are typically found in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Without access to these documents, it is impossible to assess the performance expectations or how they will be measured. The contract duration of 613 days suggests a multi-year engagement requiring ongoing service delivery.

What is the track record of UPTODATE, INC. with federal government contracts, particularly with HHS?

The data indicates that UPTODATE, INC. is the contractor for this award. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts. This involves searching procurement databases for previous awards to UPTODATE, INC., noting the agencies they've served, the types of contracts (e.g., software, services), their value, and their duration. Information on past performance evaluations, if available, would be crucial. A positive track record with HHS or similar agencies would suggest reliability, while a history of issues might raise concerns. The current award being under the MAS schedule implies they are an established vendor on that platform.

Given the competition was under SAP, what is the potential risk of overpaying for the software?

Competing under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) carries a potential risk of overpaying compared to full and open competition, primarily because the pool of potential bidders is often smaller and the solicitation process is less extensive. While SAP is designed for efficiency in acquiring goods and services below certain thresholds, it may not always elicit the most competitive pricing. The risk is mitigated if the agency conducted thorough market research and actively sought multiple quotes, but the lack of detailed competition information here means this risk cannot be fully quantified. Taxpayers might be exposed to a higher price than could have been achieved through a broader bidding process.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 230 3RD AVE STE 1000, WALTHAM, MA, 02451

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,169

Exercised Options: $33,169

Current Obligation: $33,169

Actual Outlays: $13,063

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline