HHS Awards $21.6M for Niprs System O&M to Alliant SB CTA, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,640,969 ($21.6M)
Contractor: Alliant SB CTA, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2012-02-28
End Date: 2018-05-31
Contract Duration: 2,284 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: NATIONAL PATIENT INFORMATION REPOSITORY (NIPRS) SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M).
Place of Performance
Location: OMAHA, DOUGLAS County, NEBRASKA, 68108
State: Nebraska Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $21.6 million to ALLIANT SB CTA, LLC for work described as: NATIONAL PATIENT INFORMATION REPOSITORY (NIPRS) SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M). Key points: 1. The contract supports the National Patient Information Repository System (NIPRS) Operations and Maintenance. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a structured procurement process. 3. The contract value is $21.6 million over a period of approximately 6.3 years. 4. The NAICS code 541512 suggests services related to computer systems design.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $21.6 million over 6.3 years averages to roughly $3.4 million annually. Benchmarking against similar IT O&M contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment, but this appears within a reasonable range for complex system support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The procurement utilized 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a competitive process was intended. This method aims to ensure fair pricing through market forces, though the exclusion of specific sources warrants review.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it likely drove a more efficient price for the required IT services.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of a critical patient information system for the Indian Health Service. Supports data management and accessibility for healthcare providers within the IHS. Potential impact on patient care through reliable system performance. The contract duration of over six years suggests a long-term need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for vendor lock-in with long-term O&M contracts.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical system operations.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type can control costs.
- Supports a vital healthcare information system.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, particularly system operations and maintenance, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for IT O&M can vary widely based on system complexity, criticality, and vendor expertise, but this contract appears to be of moderate size within the federal IT landscape.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to ALLIANT SB CTA, LLC. While the name suggests a small business set-aside or affiliation, the data indicates 'sb' is false, meaning it is not a small business award. Further investigation into the prime contractor's structure and subcontracting plans would be needed.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'Delivery Order' indicates this is a task order under a larger contract vehicle. Oversight would involve monitoring the performance of this specific order against its requirements and ensuring compliance with the terms of the parent contract.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Indian Health Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope creeps.
- Risk of system downtime impacting patient care.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.
- Adequacy of competition despite 'exclusion of sources'.
- Long-term contract duration may reduce flexibility.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, ne, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $21.6 million to ALLIANT SB CTA, LLC. NATIONAL PATIENT INFORMATION REPOSITORY (NIPRS) SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALLIANT SB CTA, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $21.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-02-28. End: 2018-05-31.
What specific IT systems and functionalities does the NIPRS encompass, and how critical are they to the Indian Health Service's mission?
The NIPRS likely serves as a central database for patient health information within the Indian Health Service (IHS). Its criticality stems from enabling healthcare providers to access comprehensive patient records, facilitating informed treatment decisions, managing public health initiatives, and ensuring continuity of care across different IHS facilities. The system's reliability directly impacts the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery to Native American populations.
What were the key factors driving the 'exclusion of sources' in this full and open competition, and did it limit potential cost savings?
The 'exclusion of sources' typically occurs when specific requirements, such as existing system knowledge, security clearances, or unique technical capabilities, can only be met by a limited number of vendors. While intended to ensure technical suitability, this exclusion can sometimes reduce the competitive pool, potentially limiting the downward pressure on pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition. A review of the justification for exclusion is crucial.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT system operations and maintenance services?
The annual cost averages approximately $3.4 million ($21.6M / 6.3 years). To assess this against benchmarks, one would compare it to IT O&M contracts for comparable systems (e.g., EMR/EHR systems, large database management) within the federal or commercial sectors. Factors like system size, user base, complexity of integrations, and required uptime (e.g., 24/7 support) heavily influence these benchmarks. Without specific system details, a definitive comparison is difficult, but the figure seems plausible for a significant government IT system.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1502 JFK KENNEDY DR STE 1A, BELLEVUE, NE, 68005
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,068,799
Exercised Options: $24,068,799
Current Obligation: $21,640,969
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS06F0601Z
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-02-28
Current End Date: 2018-05-31
Potential End Date: 2018-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-12-20
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