HHS awards $24.6M contract to NORC for research, highlighting full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,600,146 ($24.6M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2000-09-30

End Date: 2008-01-18

Contract Duration: 2,666 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: 200-2000-10048, NORC

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24.6 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: 200-2000-10048, NORC Key points: 1. Contract Value: $24.6 million over its duration. 2. Competition: Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk: Moderate risk due to the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, which can incentivize cost overruns. 4. Sector: Primarily research and data analysis within the health sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure presents a potential risk for cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar research contracts is difficult without more specific service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The award was made under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers likely received a fair price, though the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure warrants monitoring.

Public Impact

Supports public health research and data collection efforts by the CDC. Ensures a broad range of research capabilities are available to the government. Potential for findings to influence public health policy and interventions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type can lead to higher costs than anticipated.
Long contract duration (2666 days) increases exposure to potential scope creep or inefficiencies.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
Contract supports critical public health research for the CDC.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on research and data analysis for public health. Benchmarks for similar large-scale research contracts vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee, NORC, is a large research organization.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's oversight would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monitoring the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure and deliverables is crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure
Long contract duration
Potential for undefined scope leading to cost increases
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.6 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. 200-2000-10048, NORC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-09-30. End: 2008-01-18.

What specific research objectives were prioritized under this contract, and how do they align with current public health priorities?

The contract likely supported the CDC's mission in areas such as disease surveillance, health trends analysis, and program evaluation. Alignment with current priorities would depend on the specific research tasks outlined in the contract statement of work, which is not provided. This information is crucial for assessing the strategic value of the awarded funds.

How effectively did the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure manage costs and incentivize performance compared to alternative contract types for this research?

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can be beneficial for research where the scope is not fully defined, allowing flexibility. However, they carry a risk of cost overruns as the contractor is reimbursed for costs plus a fixed fee. Effective management requires robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee adequately incentivizes efficient performance.

What was the demonstrated impact of the research conducted under this contract on public health policy or outcomes?

Assessing the direct impact requires reviewing the final reports and subsequent utilization of the research findings by the CDC and other public health bodies. Without access to these outcomes, it's challenging to definitively measure the contract's effectiveness. The value is realized when the research informs actionable public health strategies or interventions.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 2000N00074

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60637

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $209,875,887

Exercised Options: $209,875,887

Current Obligation: $24,600,146

Timeline