HHS Awards $142M for Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, Westat Inc. Secures Contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $142,133,205 ($142.1M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2008-04-30
End Date: 2014-12-31
Contract Duration: 2,436 days
Daily Burn Rate: $58.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MEDICAL EXPENDITURE PANEL SURVEY-HOUSEHOLD COMPONENT
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $142.1 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: MEDICAL EXPENDITURE PANEL SURVEY-HOUSEHOLD COMPONENT Key points: 1. Contract value of $142.1 million over 6 years. 2. Westat, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee. 4. The contract supports the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $142.1 million over 2436 days suggests a significant investment in data collection and analysis. Benchmarking against similar large-scale survey contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair pricing and identify the most capable contractor.
Taxpayer Impact: The significant investment in this survey is intended to provide valuable data for healthcare policy and research, ultimately benefiting taxpayers through improved healthcare understanding and potential cost efficiencies.
Public Impact
Provides critical data on healthcare utilization, costs, and access for millions of Americans. Informs federal and state health policy decisions. Supports research into healthcare trends and disparities. Enhances understanding of the U.S. healthcare system's performance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 58 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can incentivize contractor performance but require robust oversight to manage costs effectively.
- Long contract duration (6 years) may present risks if requirements change significantly.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive process that likely resulted in a fair price.
- The contract supports a vital national health survey, providing essential data for policy and research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector, specifically focusing on healthcare data collection and analysis. Spending in this area is crucial for evidence-based policymaking.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial for a Cost Plus Award Fee contract to ensure performance and cost control.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract requires diligent oversight.
- Long contract duration may pose adaptability challenges.
- Sole awardee in a competitive process warrants scrutiny of the evaluation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, dca, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $142.1 million to WESTAT, INC.. MEDICAL EXPENDITURE PANEL SURVEY-HOUSEHOLD COMPONENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, INC..
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 $142.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-04-30. End: 2014-12-31.
What is the specific methodology for determining award fees, and how does it ensure value for money?
The methodology for determining award fees is typically outlined in the contract's Statement of Work and evaluation criteria. It usually involves assessing the contractor's performance against predefined metrics related to quality, timeliness, and cost control. Robust oversight by AHRQ is essential to ensure these metrics are objectively applied and that award fees genuinely reflect exceptional performance, thereby maximizing value for taxpayer investment.
What are the potential risks associated with a 6-year Cost Plus Award Fee contract for a large-scale survey?
A 6-year Cost Plus Award Fee contract carries risks such as potential cost overruns if not managed tightly, and the possibility of scope creep. The long duration also means the contract might not adapt easily to evolving research needs or technological advancements in data collection. Effective government oversight and clear performance metrics are critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the project remains aligned with its objectives and budget.
How will the data collected by the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey be used to improve healthcare effectiveness?
The data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey is foundational for understanding healthcare access, utilization, costs, and quality across the U.S. It informs policy decisions aimed at improving healthcare delivery, identifying disparities, and evaluating the impact of health reforms. Researchers use this data to pinpoint areas for improvement in patient care, treatment outcomes, and the overall efficiency of the healthcare system, ultimately contributing to better public health.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1650 RESEARCH BLVD RM RE164, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $142,527,023
Exercised Options: $142,323,894
Current Obligation: $142,133,205
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-04-30
Current End Date: 2014-12-31
Potential End Date: 2014-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-08-01
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