HHS awards $22.8M for STEM Cell Therapeutic Outcomes Database, focusing on administrative management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,779,036 ($22.8M)

Contractor: THE Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2017-09-27

End Date: 2022-09-26

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES DATABASE (SCTOD)

Place of Performance

Location: MILWAUKEE, MILWAUKEE County, WISCONSIN, 53226

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $22.8 million to THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES DATABASE (SCTOD) Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a 5-year administrative support service. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Contract duration of 5 years allows for sustained support. 5. Focus on administrative management aligns with database development and maintenance needs. 6. The contract is a single award, indicating a specific capability was sought.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $22.8 million over five years, averaging around $4.56 million annually, seems within a reasonable range for administrative management and general consulting services supporting a specialized database. Benchmarking against similar contracts for database development and management services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests a robust competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and service quality. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition mechanism is a positive indicator for price discovery and value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a marketplace where the most cost-effective and capable solutions are presented, driving down prices and improving service delivery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers and healthcare professionals who will utilize the STEM Cell Therapeutic Outcomes Database. The contract supports the development, maintenance, and administrative management of a critical health outcomes database. The geographic impact is national, as the database is intended for broad use within the U.S. healthcare and research community. Workforce implications include potential employment for administrative, data management, and consulting professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the administrative management services.
The broad category of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' could encompass a wide range of activities, requiring clear definition of deliverables.
Potential for scope creep if the administrative support extends beyond the core database management functions.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The 5-year duration allows for continuity and stability in database management.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and consulting services sector, specifically supporting a health-related data initiative. The market for such services is broad, encompassing firms that specialize in government contracting, data management, and specialized scientific support. The annual value of approximately $4.56 million is moderate for a federal contract of this nature, fitting within the typical range for specialized administrative support for significant data repositories.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses are unlikely to be direct prime contractors. However, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, depending on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan and the specific needs of the administrative management services required for the database.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) contracting officers and program managers. Performance monitoring, adherence to contract terms, and quality of services would be assessed. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS.gov. The Inspector General for HHS would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Health Information Technology Services
Medical Research Support
Data Management and Analytics
Federal Health Databases
Administrative and Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if administrative support is inadequate.
Risk of scope creep if contract management is not rigorous.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical database administrative functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $22.8 million to THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF STEM CELL THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES DATABASE (SCTOD)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Health Resources and Services Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-27. End: 2022-09-26.

What specific administrative management and consulting services are included under this contract?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' This broad category typically includes services such as strategic planning, organizational analysis, process improvement, and general management advice. For this specific contract supporting the STEM Cell Therapeutic Outcomes Database (SCTOD), these services likely encompass project management, administrative support for database operations, coordination with stakeholders, data governance support, and potentially consulting on best practices for managing and disseminating health outcome data. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which is not provided here but would specify deliverables, reporting requirements, and performance standards.

How does the $22.8 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for health data management?

The total contract value of $22.8 million over five years, averaging approximately $4.56 million annually, is a moderate figure for federal contracts supporting specialized health databases. Contracts for large-scale health IT systems, electronic health records (EHR) implementation, or national health surveillance systems can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. However, this contract appears focused on the administrative management and consulting aspects of a specific outcomes database, rather than the full development or implementation of a major IT system. Therefore, its value seems appropriate for its described scope, especially when considering the firm fixed-price nature which caps government liability. A precise comparison would require detailed analysis of contracts with similar NAICS codes and service scopes within HHS and other health-focused agencies.

What are the key risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance issues if the contractor fails to deliver adequate administrative support, leading to delays or inefficiencies in database management. Another risk is the possibility of the scope expanding beyond the original intent, leading to cost inefficiencies despite the fixed-price structure if not managed carefully. The firm fixed-price contract type itself is a mitigation strategy, as it places the financial risk of cost overruns on the contractor. Furthermore, the contract's duration of five years allows for sustained performance monitoring. The government's oversight mechanisms, including contract management by HRSA and potential reviews by the HHS OIG, also serve to mitigate risks by ensuring accountability and adherence to contract terms.

What is the track record of The Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc. as a federal contractor, particularly in health data management?

The Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc. (MCW) has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily through grants and agreements related to research and health services. As a large academic medical institution, MCW is well-positioned to manage complex health-related projects. While specific details on their track record solely in 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' for federal databases are not immediately available from the provided data, their core mission involves research and healthcare delivery, which inherently requires robust data management capabilities. Their success in securing this contract under full and open competition suggests they met the government's requirements for expertise in managing such a sensitive and important health outcomes database.

How does this contract contribute to the broader goals of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)?

This contract directly supports HRSA's mission to improve health and achieve health equity through access to quality healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations. The STEM Cell Therapeutic Outcomes Database (SCTOD) is crucial for understanding the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of stem cell therapies, which are rapidly evolving fields. By ensuring the effective administrative management and support of this database, HRSA facilitates evidence-based decision-making, informs policy development, supports research initiatives, and ultimately contributes to better patient care and public health outcomes related to these advanced therapies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 17250SOL00046

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8701 WATERTOWN PLANK RD, MILWAUKEE, WI, 53226

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,240,895

Exercised Options: $22,779,036

Current Obligation: $22,779,036

Actual Outlays: $5,797,976

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $9,150,109

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline