HHS awards $29.4M contract for Medicare consumer data management to Thoroughbred Research Group
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,390,067 ($29.4M)
Contractor: Thoroughbred Research Group, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2006-09-29
End Date: 2011-09-28
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: DATA COLLECTION/DATA MNGT OF THE MEDICARE CONSUMER ASSESSMENTS OF HEALTHCARE
Place of Performance
Location: LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON County, KENTUCKY, 40205
State: Kentucky Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $29.4 million to THOROUGHBRED RESEARCH GROUP, INC. for work described as: DATA COLLECTION/DATA MNGT OF THE MEDICARE CONSUMER ASSESSMENTS OF HEALTHCARE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on data collection and management for Medicare consumer assessments. 2. Thoroughbred Research Group, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract spans nearly five years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically data processing and hosting.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar data management contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition. This method may not have yielded the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for data management services, with potential for inefficiency due to limited competition.
Public Impact
Ensures continued data collection for Medicare consumer satisfaction surveys. Supports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' oversight functions. Impacts beneficiaries by informing quality improvement initiatives based on collected data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type carries inherent cost escalation risks.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for Medicare data management.
- Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing requirement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and data services sector, specifically focusing on data processing and hosting. Spending in this area is substantial across government, with benchmarks varying widely based on complexity and scale.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a major agency within HHS. Oversight would typically involve contract officers and program managers within CMS to ensure performance and adherence to terms.
Related Government Programs
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
- Potential for cost escalation
- Lack of small business participation
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, department-of-health-and-human-services, ky, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $29.4 million to THOROUGHBRED RESEARCH GROUP, INC.. DATA COLLECTION/DATA MNGT OF THE MEDICARE CONSUMER ASSESSMENTS OF HEALTHCARE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THOROUGHBRED RESEARCH GROUP, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $29.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-09-29. End: 2011-09-28.
What is the specific value proposition of using Thoroughbred Research Group for this data management task compared to other potential vendors?
The provided data does not detail the specific value proposition beyond the company's existing role. The limited competition suggests that either Thoroughbred Research Group possessed unique qualifications or the exclusion of other sources was justified by specific program needs. Further analysis would require understanding the technical requirements and the rationale for excluding other vendors.
What are the primary risks associated with the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type in this context?
The primary risks with a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract are potential cost overruns and reduced incentive for the contractor to control expenses, as the government bears the majority of the costs. The fixed fee provides some incentive, but the government is still exposed to escalating direct costs, potentially leading to a higher final price than anticipated.
How effectively does this contract support the overall mission of improving Medicare quality and beneficiary experience?
This contract is crucial for collecting and managing data that directly informs Medicare's quality improvement initiatives and consumer assessments. By ensuring the continuity and integrity of this data, it enables CMS to identify areas for improvement and track progress, thereby indirectly supporting the mission of enhancing beneficiary experience and healthcare quality.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3339 TAYLORSVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY, 40205
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $29,390,067
Exercised Options: $29,390,067
Current Obligation: $29,390,067
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-09-29
Current End Date: 2011-09-28
Potential End Date: 2011-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-03-30
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