HHS awarded $28.3M for learning and diffusion activities at CMMI-GSA, with a focus on administrative management consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,343,317 ($28.3M)

Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2011-09-22

End Date: 2015-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,377 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TA TO SUPPORT THE LEARNING AND DIFFUCION ACTIVITIES AT CMMI-GSA COMP

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20007

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $28.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: TA TO SUPPORT THE LEARNING AND DIFFUCION ACTIVITIES AT CMMI-GSA COMP Key points: 1. The contract value of $28.3 million over approximately four years represents a significant investment in disseminating knowledge and best practices. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting a robust market for these specialized consulting services. 3. The use of Time and Materials pricing may introduce cost variability, requiring diligent oversight to manage expenditures effectively. 4. Performance context is tied to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and its Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). 5. The sector positioning is within administrative management and general management consulting, a critical support function for government agencies. 6. The contract duration of 1377 days (approx. 3.77 years) allowed for sustained engagement on learning and diffusion initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $28.3 million for administrative management and general management consulting services appears reasonable given the duration and scope of supporting CMMI's learning and diffusion activities. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale knowledge dissemination and technical assistance within federal health agencies would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a definitive value-for-money judgment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring that the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a healthy level of market interest.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process typically leads to better value for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation among contractors.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public who gain access to improved healthcare models and practices disseminated by CMMI. Services delivered encompass learning activities, diffusion of innovation, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing to advance healthcare quality and efficiency. The geographic impact is national, as CMMI's initiatives aim to influence healthcare delivery across the United States. Workforce implications include potential professional development for individuals involved in implementing CMMI-supported innovations and for the contractor's staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure if not closely monitored.
Ensuring the effective diffusion of complex learning materials across diverse healthcare systems can be challenging.
Measuring the tangible impact and return on investment of learning and diffusion activities requires robust evaluation frameworks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
The contract duration allowed for sustained effort in disseminating CMMI's initiatives.
Focus on learning and diffusion directly supports the mission of improving healthcare delivery and outcomes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, a broad category encompassing advisory and assistance services. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services to support policy development, program implementation, and operational efficiency. Spending in this sector is often driven by the need for specialized expertise that may not be available in-house. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale consulting contracts awarded by HHS or similar agencies for program support and knowledge management.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a specific set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences, is a large research organization, and its subcontracting practices would determine any indirect impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). As a Time and Materials contract, diligent monitoring of labor hours and costs is crucial. Accountability measures would be tied to the successful completion of learning and diffusion activities as defined in the contract's statement of work. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific performance reports may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Operations Support
Healthcare Innovation and Research Programs
Federal Management Consulting Services
Knowledge Management and Dissemination Contracts
Health Policy Analysis and Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Effectiveness of knowledge diffusion across diverse healthcare systems.
Measuring the ROI of learning and diffusion activities.
Ensuring continued relevance and adoption of disseminated models.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $28.3 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. TA TO SUPPORT THE LEARNING AND DIFFUCION ACTIVITIES AT CMMI-GSA COMP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.

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 $28.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-22. End: 2015-06-30.

What is the track record of American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences (AIR) with federal contracts, particularly within HHS?

American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences (AIR) has a substantial history of performing federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a large research organization, AIR frequently engages in contracts related to health policy, program evaluation, education, and behavioral sciences. Their experience often involves complex data analysis, research dissemination, and technical assistance. While specific performance ratings for this particular contract are not detailed here, AIR's general profile suggests a capacity to handle large, complex projects. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance reviews and any reported issues, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record on this specific award.

How does the $28.3 million contract value compare to similar learning and diffusion support contracts within HHS?

The $28.3 million contract value for learning and diffusion activities at CMMI-GSA is substantial, reflecting the scope and duration of the support provided. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against other large-scale contracts awarded by HHS agencies (like CMS, AHRQ, or NIH) for technical assistance, knowledge management, program dissemination, and strategic consulting. Contracts supporting major health initiatives or innovation centers often run into tens of millions of dollars over several years. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure also influences how value is assessed, as actual costs can fluctuate. Without direct comparisons of contracts with similar objectives, scope, and duration, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents superior or inferior value, but the amount is consistent with significant federal support for critical program functions.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for learning and diffusion activities?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for learning and diffusion activities is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can lead to unpredictable final costs if the scope of work expands, inefficiencies arise, or the project takes longer than anticipated. For learning and diffusion, risks include the complexity of disseminating information, the need for extensive stakeholder engagement, and potential scope creep as new insights emerge. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of labor and materials, and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the contract remains within budget and delivers the intended outcomes.

How effective are learning and diffusion activities typically in achieving policy or program goals within CMS?

The effectiveness of learning and diffusion activities in achieving policy or program goals within CMS is highly variable and depends on numerous factors. When executed well, these activities can significantly accelerate the adoption of best practices, innovative models, and evidence-based interventions, leading to improved healthcare quality, efficiency, and patient outcomes. CMS, through initiatives like CMMI, relies heavily on these functions to translate research and pilot program successes into broader healthcare system changes. However, effectiveness is contingent upon the clarity of the learning objectives, the quality of the materials developed, the reach of the diffusion strategy, the engagement of target audiences (providers, patients, payers), and the alignment with broader policy priorities. Robust evaluation metrics are essential to measure the actual impact and ensure these activities contribute meaningfully to CMS's overarching mission.

What has been the historical spending trend for administrative management and general management consulting services at CMS?

Historical spending trends for administrative management and general management consulting services at CMS are generally substantial, reflecting the agency's vast operational scope and complex mission. CMS manages programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which require continuous support for policy development, program administration, data analysis, IT modernization, and stakeholder engagement. Consulting services are often procured to bring specialized expertise, manage large-scale projects, or provide strategic guidance. While specific year-over-year trends for this exact NAICS code (541611) at CMS would require detailed analysis of federal procurement data (like FPDS), it's common for agencies of CMS's size to consistently allocate significant portions of their budget to such services. Spending can fluctuate based on new policy initiatives, legislative mandates, and the need for external expertise during critical program phases.

What is the significance of the 'Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI)' in relation to this contract?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) is central to this contract's purpose. Established by the Affordable Care Act, CMMI's mission is to design, develop, and implement innovative payment and service delivery models to reduce costs and improve care quality for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP beneficiaries. This contract, supporting 'learning and diffusion activities' at CMMI, directly contributes to that mission. It implies that the contractor is tasked with disseminating knowledge gained from CMMI's various initiatives, facilitating the adoption of successful models by healthcare providers and other stakeholders, and potentially providing technical assistance to support these efforts. The contract's value and scope are thus tied to CMMI's ongoing work in transforming healthcare delivery across the nation.

Industry Classification

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

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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,251,270

Exercised Options: $28,343,317

Current Obligation: $28,343,317

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0112J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline