HHS awards $7.6M contract for Project AWARE-TISS evaluation to ICF Incorporated

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,649,573 ($7.6M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-12-31

End Date: 2025-12-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROJECT AWARE-TISS EVALUATION

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20857

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $7.6 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: PROJECT AWARE-TISS EVALUATION Key points: 1. Contract aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Project AWARE-TISS, a program focused on mental health and substance abuse. 2. The contract duration of 1095 days suggests a comprehensive, long-term evaluation approach. 3. ICF Incorporated, a large established firm, is the awardee, indicating a reliance on experienced contractors for complex evaluations. 4. The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) incentivizes performance but requires careful monitoring of costs and award criteria. 5. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the primary agency, highlighting the focus on critical public health services. 6. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code suggests a broad scope of work for the evaluation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.6 million over three years for a program evaluation appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale program evaluations by federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility but necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with performance objectives and market rates for similar professional services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer. The open competition indicates a healthy market for these types of evaluation services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified contractors, increasing the likelihood of securing high-quality services at a reasonable cost.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals and communities served by Project AWARE-TISS, which aims to improve mental health and substance abuse services. The contract will deliver crucial evaluation services to assess the efficacy and impact of the Project AWARE-TISS program. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as Project AWARE-TISS is a federal initiative potentially implemented across various states and territories. The evaluation may inform future policy decisions and resource allocation for mental health and substance abuse programs, impacting the public health workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and award fees are justified by performance.
The broad NAICS code could imply a wide range of potential tasks, requiring clear definition and management to stay within scope.
The success of the evaluation is dependent on the quality of data collection and analysis, which needs rigorous quality control.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely yielded a fair price.
The contract duration of three years allows for thorough evaluation and assessment of program outcomes.
ICF Incorporated is a well-established firm with a track record in government contracting, suggesting capability and experience.

Sector Analysis

The federal government frequently contracts for professional, scientific, and technical services, particularly for program evaluation and research. The market for these services is large and competitive, with numerous firms specializing in public health, social science research, and program assessment. This contract fits within the broader sector of government support services, where agencies rely on external expertise to measure program effectiveness and inform policy.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-asides. Given the awardee is ICF Incorporated, a large business, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses will be mandated unless specified in the contract's terms. Further review of the subcontracting plan, if available, would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within SAMHSA. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates performance monitoring against defined criteria to justify award fees. Transparency will depend on the public availability of evaluation reports and the agency's commitment to sharing findings. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Project AWARE
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grants
Federal Program Evaluation Contracts
Public Health Research and Development

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contract requires careful monitoring of costs and performance.
Broad NAICS code may indicate a wide scope of work requiring clear definition.
Success depends on the quality of data collection and analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $7.6 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. PROJECT AWARE-TISS EVALUATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-31. End: 2025-12-30.

What is the specific scope of work for the Project AWARE-TISS evaluation?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for the Project AWARE-TISS evaluation. However, based on the contract title and the agency (SAMHSA), the evaluation likely involves assessing the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of Project AWARE-TISS, which focuses on improving mental health and substance abuse services in educational settings. This could include data collection through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and analysis of program records. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code suggests a broad range of analytical and research activities.

How does the $7.6 million contract value compare to similar federal program evaluations?

A direct comparison of the $7.6 million contract value for this three-year evaluation requires access to a database of similar federal program evaluations, which is not provided. However, for large-scale, multi-year national program evaluations conducted by federal agencies, this value appears within a reasonable range. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the program, the number of sites or participants to be evaluated, the methodologies employed (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative, mixed-methods), and the level of detail required in the final reports. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure also allows for performance-based adjustments.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this evaluation contract?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this evaluation contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, for a program evaluation of Project AWARE-TISS, typical KPIs would likely focus on the program's reach (number of schools, students, or communities served), the fidelity of implementation (whether the program is delivered as intended), the effectiveness of interventions (changes in student mental health, substance abuse behaviors, or school climate), and the overall impact on the target population. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies that specific, measurable performance targets will be established and monitored.

What is ICF Incorporated's track record with federal health and human services contracts?

ICF Incorporated is a large, well-established government contractor with a significant presence in federal health and human services. They have a history of performing various types of contracts for agencies like HHS, including research, program evaluation, data analysis, and technical assistance. While specific details of their past performance on similar SAMHSA evaluations are not provided here, their general track record suggests they possess the experience and capacity to handle complex projects. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal specific successes and areas of expertise relevant to this award.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for program evaluation?

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for program evaluation include potential cost overruns if not managed diligently, and the subjective nature of 'award fees' which can lead to disputes if performance criteria are not clearly defined and objectively measured. For the government, there's a risk that the contractor may prioritize achieving award fee targets over other critical aspects of the evaluation. For the contractor, there's the risk of not meeting performance standards and thus not earning the full award fee. Robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and transparent communication are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How might the findings of this evaluation influence future federal funding for similar programs?

The findings of this evaluation are likely to significantly influence future federal funding decisions for Project AWARE-TISS and similar programs. If the evaluation demonstrates strong positive outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and high impact, it could lead to increased funding, program expansion, or the replication of the model in other settings. Conversely, if the evaluation reveals inefficiencies, limited impact, or unintended negative consequences, it could result in reduced funding, program modifications, or even termination. The data and analysis provided by ICF will serve as a critical evidence base for policymakers and agency leadership.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,148,364

Exercised Options: $7,649,573

Current Obligation: $7,649,573

Actual Outlays: $7,278,746

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $1,847,123

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75S20322D00013

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline