HHS Spends $22.5M on Accounting Services for Medicare/Medicaid Price Surveys

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,545,274 ($22.5M)

Contractor: Myers & Stauffer LC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2011-07-01

End Date: 2016-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SURVEY OF RETAIL PRICES: PAYMENT AND UTILIZATION RATES, AND PERFORMANCE RANKINGS

Place of Performance

Location: INDIANAPOLIS, MARION County, INDIANA, 46240

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $22.5 million to MYERS & STAUFFER LC for work described as: SURVEY OF RETAIL PRICES: PAYMENT AND UTILIZATION RATES, AND PERFORMANCE RANKINGS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Myers & Stauffer LC for retail price survey data. 2. Full and open competition was used, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is 5 years, ending in June 2016. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 5. The contract value is substantial at $22.5 million.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $22.5 million over five years is significant. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale data surveys and analysis is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work and deliverables. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to manage costs upfront.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this contract. The use of full and open competition is a positive sign for cost-effectiveness, but the total expenditure of $22.5 million warrants scrutiny to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures accurate data for Medicare and Medicaid payment rates. Supports informed policy decisions regarding healthcare costs. Impacts beneficiaries by influencing program payments and services. Provides transparency in healthcare pricing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics.
Limited insight into the quality of data collected.
Potential for cost overruns if scope expands.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Fixed-price contract type.
Clear agency and purpose for the contract.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional services, specifically accounting and auditing services. The benchmark for spending in this sector varies widely based on the complexity and duration of the services. $22.5 million over five years for a national survey suggests a significant undertaking.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the primary contractor is MYERS & STAUFFER LC. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved.

Oversight & Accountability

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard government oversight processes should be in place, including performance monitoring and financial reviews, to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Offices of Certified Public Accountants
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Potential for data quality issues.
Significant contract value requires robust oversight.
Limited information on small business utilization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $22.5 million to MYERS & STAUFFER LC. SURVEY OF RETAIL PRICES: PAYMENT AND UTILIZATION RATES, AND PERFORMANCE RANKINGS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MYERS & STAUFFER LC.

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 $22.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-07-01. End: 2016-06-30.

What specific metrics were used to evaluate the performance of Myers & Stauffer LC during the contract period?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics used to evaluate Myers & Stauffer LC. Typically, such contracts would include key performance indicators (KPIs) related to data accuracy, timeliness of reporting, completeness of surveys, and adherence to methodologies. Without these details, it's difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness beyond the basic completion of the contract.

How does the $22.5 million expenditure compare to the value derived from the retail price survey data?

Quantifying the exact 'value' derived from the survey data is challenging as it informs policy and payment rates, which have indirect economic impacts. However, the cost represents a significant investment. A thorough analysis would compare the cost against potential savings from optimized payment rates or improved program efficiency enabled by the data.

Were there any challenges or disputes encountered during the full and open competition process or contract execution?

The provided data does not detail any specific challenges or disputes during the competition or execution phases. Full and open competition generally aims to mitigate disputes by ensuring transparency. However, without access to contract performance reports or agency records, it's impossible to confirm the absence of issues.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services › Offices of Certified Public Accountants

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 700 W 47TH ST STE 1100, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64112

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,068,854

Exercised Options: $22,545,274

Current Obligation: $22,545,274

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0058V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline