HHS Awards $302M for National Health and Nutrition Survey to Westat, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $302,179,248 ($302.2M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2008-09-15
End Date: 2015-01-26
Contract Duration: 2,324 days
Daily Burn Rate: $130.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY
Place of Performance
Location: HYATTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20782, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $302.2 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a significant national health survey. 2. Westat, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract spans nearly 7 years. 4. Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's total value is $302,179,248. Pricing is based on a Cost Plus Award Fee structure, which incentivizes performance while allowing for cost reimbursement. Benchmarking against similar large-scale research contracts is difficult without more granular cost data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure aims to balance cost control with contractor performance incentives.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a critical national health data collection effort, which has long-term public health benefits.
Public Impact
Provides essential data for public health policy and research. Informs national strategies on nutrition and disease prevention. Supports evidence-based decision-making for healthcare initiatives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration may lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
- Cost Plus Award Fee can sometimes incentivize higher spending.
- Reliance on a single contractor for such a critical survey.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a vital national need for health data.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Potential for significant public health improvements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities sector. Spending in this area is crucial for understanding societal trends and informing policy. Benchmarks are highly variable depending on the scope and duration of research.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responsible for overseeing this contract. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure includes performance incentives, implying oversight mechanisms are in place to monitor progress and quality.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost creep due to CPAFF structure.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope changes or inefficiencies.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.
- No clear indication of small business subcontracting.
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 $302.2 million to WESTAT, INC.. NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY
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 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $302.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-15. End: 2015-01-26.
What is the projected cost per participant or per data point collected?
The provided data does not include specific metrics for cost per participant or per data point. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure makes it challenging to determine precise unit costs without detailed performance and cost reports. Further analysis would require access to the contract's detailed cost breakdown and performance metrics.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee?
The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the award fee are not detailed in the provided summary. Typically, for a survey contract, KPIs would relate to data accuracy, timeliness of reporting, participant recruitment rates, and adherence to survey protocols. The CDC would have established these metrics to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
How will the long-term data integrity and usability be ensured under this contract?
Ensuring long-term data integrity and usability involves robust data management, secure storage, and clear documentation of methodologies. Westat, as the contractor, is expected to adhere to strict data quality standards and protocols set by the CDC. This includes procedures for data cleaning, validation, and archiving to maintain the scientific rigor and accessibility of the survey results over time.
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
Solicitation ID: 2003N00740
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, 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: $311,496,074
Exercised Options: $307,425,317
Current Obligation: $302,179,248
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-15
Current End Date: 2015-01-26
Potential End Date: 2015-01-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-08-07
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