HHS awarded $38.5M for data management and programming support to Social & Scientific Systems, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,484,759 ($38.5M)

Contractor: Social & Scientific Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2009-04-28

End Date: 2014-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,889 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DATA MANAGEMENT AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $38.5 million to SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: DATA MANAGEMENT AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1889 days (approx. 5 years) indicates a significant, long-term need for these services. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 points to custom computer programming services. 5. The award was made by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of HHS. 6. The contract value of $38.5M is substantial for custom programming services. 7. The contractor, Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., has secured this significant award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type introduces inherent risk for cost control, as the government pays the actual costs plus a fixed fee. While the fixed fee provides some predictability, the total cost can escalate if the contractor's expenses increase. Without details on the scope of work and the fixed fee percentage, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the competitive award process may have helped to establish a reasonable baseline price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically involves a robust solicitation process designed to encourage a wide range of qualified contractors to participate. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests that the government actively sought multiple proposals to ensure a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which receives essential data management and computer programming support. The services delivered are crucial for the development and maintenance of healthcare research databases and analytical tools. This contract supports the advancement of healthcare research and policy development within the United States. The contract likely supports a workforce of IT professionals and data scientists employed by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

CPFF contract type can lead to cost escalation if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess value for money definitively.
The long duration of the contract requires sustained oversight to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
The contractor is a specialized firm likely possessing relevant expertise in data management and programming.
The contract supports a critical government agency (AHRQ) focused on healthcare research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) and Professional Services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and data management. The market for these services is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Government spending in this area is substantial, supporting a wide range of functions from software development to complex data analysis. Comparable contracts often involve significant dollar values and long durations, reflecting the critical nature of IT infrastructure and support for federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, it did not directly involve small business set-aside provisions. However, the prime contractor, Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill parts of the contract requirements. The extent of small business subcontracting is not detailed here, but it is a common practice in larger federal contracts to leverage specialized capabilities and meet small business utilization goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the technical points of contact within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure necessitates diligent monitoring of costs and contractor performance to ensure adherence to the contract's objectives and budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance details may be proprietary. The Inspector General's office within HHS would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

HHS IT Services Contracts
Healthcare Data Management Services
Custom Software Development Contracts
Federal IT Support Services
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful oversight to manage potential cost overruns.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective value-for-money assessment challenging.
Long contract duration necessitates sustained monitoring for relevance and effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $38.5 million to SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, INC.. DATA MANAGEMENT AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMING SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOCIAL & SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS, 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 $38.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-28. End: 2014-06-30.

What is the specific scope of 'data management and computer programming support' required under this contract?

The contract, awarded to Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. under NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), likely encompasses a broad range of activities. This could include the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of databases, software applications, and IT systems crucial for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) research and operational needs. Specific tasks might involve data warehousing, data analysis, system integration, cybersecurity measures, and the creation of user interfaces for researchers and administrators. The 'data management' aspect suggests a focus on organizing, storing, securing, and retrieving large volumes of health-related data, while 'computer programming support' implies the development and modification of software to process, analyze, and present this data effectively for research purposes.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type compare to other contract types in terms of risk and value for money?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or is expected to evolve, as is common in research and development or complex IT projects. It offers flexibility by reimbursing the contractor for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. The primary risk for the government is cost overrun, as the total cost is not capped upfront. However, the fixed fee provides some incentive for the contractor to control costs to maximize their profit margin. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers less cost certainty for the government but more flexibility. Compared to Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF) contracts, CPFF lacks explicit incentives tied to performance targets, potentially reducing the contractor's motivation to exceed expectations. For value for money, effective oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate the inherent cost risks of CPFF.

What is the track record of Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly within HHS?

Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. (SSS) has a history of working with federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). While this specific $38.5 million contract for data management and programming support is a significant award, SSS has likely held other contracts with HHS and potentially other agencies. Their specialization in health research and IT services suggests a focus on supporting public health initiatives. A deeper analysis would involve examining their past performance ratings, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous federal engagements to fully assess their track record and suitability for complex projects.

Are there any specific performance indicators or metrics associated with this contract that can be used to evaluate its success?

The provided data does not include specific performance indicators or metrics for this contract. Typically, such metrics would be detailed within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). These could include measures related to system uptime, data accuracy, response times for programming requests, successful completion of development milestones, and user satisfaction. Without these specific metrics, evaluating the contract's success relies on broader assessments of whether AHRQ's data management and programming needs were met effectively and efficiently throughout the contract period. Post-award reviews and contractor performance evaluations would normally capture this information.

How does the $38.5 million award compare to historical spending by AHRQ or HHS on similar IT support services?

The $38.5 million award represents a substantial investment in IT support services for AHRQ over its approximately five-year duration. To contextualize this, one would need to compare it against AHRQ's historical IT spending patterns and the average cost of similar custom computer programming and data management contracts within HHS and the broader federal government. Factors such as the complexity of the required services, the number of personnel involved, and the specific technologies utilized would influence comparability. Without access to AHRQ's detailed historical IT budgets and a database of comparable federal IT contracts, it is difficult to definitively state whether this award is high, low, or average relative to past spending or market rates.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8757 GEORGIA AVE FL 12, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,484,759

Exercised Options: $38,484,759

Current Obligation: $38,484,759

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline