HHS awarded $15M for underage alcohol use prevention, with 6 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,962,938 ($15.0M)

Contractor: ICF Macro Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2004-09-27

End Date: 2009-10-26

Contract Duration: 1,855 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE FOR PREVENTION OF UNDERAGE ALCHOLUSE

Place of Performance

Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20705

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $15.0 million to ICF MACRO INC for work described as: HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE FOR PREVENTION OF UNDERAGE ALCHOLUSE Key points: 1. The contract aimed to support public health initiatives related to underage alcohol consumption. 2. Competition was robust with six bidders, suggesting a healthy market for these services. 3. The contract duration of over five years indicates a significant, long-term commitment. 4. The pricing structure (Cost Plus Award Fee) allows for flexibility but requires careful oversight. 5. The geographic focus on Maryland is noted, though the program's impact may be national. 6. This contract falls under consulting services, a common area for federal procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more granular cost data. However, the presence of six bidders in a competitive delivery order suggests that the pricing was likely within a reasonable range for the services rendered. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure, while offering flexibility, necessitates diligent monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent overruns. Compared to similar public health consulting contracts, the overall award value appears moderate.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' with six bidders participating. This level of competition is generally positive, indicating that multiple firms were interested and capable of performing the required services. A competitive process helps ensure that the government receives fair pricing and high-quality services by allowing market forces to drive the selection. The number of bidders suggests a healthy marketplace for these types of consulting services.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. It also increases the likelihood that the selected contractor will deliver high-quality services to meet the program's objectives.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely young people and communities targeted by underage alcohol use prevention campaigns. Services delivered include research, strategy development, and implementation support for public health initiatives. The geographic impact is initially focused on Maryland, where the contractor is based, but the program's goals are national. Workforce implications include employment for consultants and researchers in public health and communications.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the Cost Plus Award Fee structure if not closely managed.
Ensuring the effectiveness and measurable impact of prevention initiatives requires ongoing evaluation.
The specific outcomes and reach of the prevention programs need clear definition and tracking.

Positive Signals

Strong competition indicates a healthy market and likely competitive pricing.
The contract duration suggests a sustained effort towards a critical public health issue.
The focus on prevention aligns with established public health strategies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Scientific and Technical Consulting Services sector, specifically related to public health. The market for such services is diverse, encompassing numerous firms specializing in health communications, research, and program implementation. Federal spending in this area supports a wide range of public health objectives, from disease prevention to health education. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar public health consulting services awarded by HHS and other agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of the services and the competitive bidding process involving multiple bidders, it's possible that larger firms were primary awardees. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if there were specific provisions to encourage their participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring to ensure that costs are reasonable and that award fees are justified by achieved performance metrics. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and potential audits by the HHS Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

Substance Abuse Prevention Programs
Public Health Communication Campaigns
Youth Health Initiatives
Federal Health Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency.
Effectiveness of public health initiatives can be challenging to measure and attribute directly to contract activities.
Potential for scope creep or changes in program direction over the contract's multi-year duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $15.0 million to ICF MACRO INC. HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE FOR PREVENTION OF UNDERAGE ALCHOLUSE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF MACRO INC.

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 $15.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-27. End: 2009-10-26.

What was the specific performance criteria used to determine the 'Award Fee' component of this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance criteria used for the Award Fee component of this Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract. Typically, CPAF contracts establish a set of measurable performance objectives and metrics related to the scope of work. These could include factors such as timeliness of deliverables, quality of research or reports, effectiveness of communication strategies, stakeholder engagement, and overall project management. The contracting officer would assess the contractor's performance against these predefined criteria to determine the amount of award fee, if any, to be paid. Without access to the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or award fee plan, a precise breakdown of these criteria remains unavailable.

How does the $15 million total award value compare to other federal contracts for similar public health prevention initiatives?

Comparing the $15 million total award value requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific objectives of similar federal contracts. This contract, awarded over approximately five years (September 2004 to October 2009), averages around $3 million per year. This figure is moderate within the broader landscape of federal health initiatives. Larger, multi-agency campaigns or contracts involving extensive research and nationwide implementation could easily exceed this amount. Conversely, smaller, geographically limited projects or those focused on a narrower aspect of prevention might be awarded for less. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar service types (e.g., health communications, program evaluation, policy analysis) and target populations (e.g., youth, specific health issues) awarded by agencies like CDC, NIH, or other components of HHS during the same period.

What were the primary risks identified during the procurement and execution of this contract?

Primary risks during the procurement phase likely centered on ensuring sufficient competition and selecting a contractor with the expertise to effectively address underage alcohol use prevention. Risks during execution could include challenges in program effectiveness, such as difficulty in reaching target audiences or demonstrating measurable reductions in underage drinking. Cost control is also a risk, particularly with a Cost Plus Award Fee structure, where diligent oversight is needed to manage expenditures and ensure value for money. Furthermore, shifts in public health priorities or policy could impact the program's long-term sustainability or require adaptation. The contractor's ability to adapt to evolving research and best practices in prevention science would also be a key risk factor.

What evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of the 'HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE FOR PREVENTION OF UNDERAGE ALCHOLUSE'?

The provided data does not contain specific evidence or metrics on the effectiveness of the 'HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE FOR PREVENTION OF UNDERAGE ALCHOLUSE'. While the contract aimed to support prevention efforts, its actual impact on reducing underage alcohol use would typically be measured through post-program evaluations, surveys, or epidemiological data. These types of assessments are often conducted independently or as a follow-on effort to the contract's activities. Without access to program reports, evaluation studies, or public health outcome data specifically linked to this initiative, it is impossible to ascertain its effectiveness from the procurement information alone.

How has federal spending on public health communication and prevention initiatives evolved since this contract was awarded in 2004?

Federal spending on public health communication and prevention initiatives has generally increased and evolved significantly since 2004. Following this contract's award, there has been a growing emphasis on evidence-based interventions, data-driven decision-making, and the use of digital platforms for communication. Major public health challenges, such as the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, have also led to substantial shifts in funding priorities and the scale of communication efforts. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on appropriations and emerging health threats, the overall trend indicates a sustained and often increased investment in prevention and communication strategies across various health domains, including substance abuse. Technological advancements have also influenced how these initiatives are designed and implemented.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SOCIAL SERVICES › SOCIAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc. (UEI: 139001544)

Address: 11785 BELTSVILLE DR., BELTSVILLE, MD, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,962,938

Exercised Options: $14,962,938

Current Obligation: $14,962,938

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 270030100

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline