HHS awards $46.6M for clinical data abstraction, with TISTA Science and Technology Corp. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,580,791 ($46.6M)

Contractor: Tista Science and Technology Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2016-09-23

End Date: 2021-12-22

Contract Duration: 1,916 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF CLINICAL DATA ABSTRACTION CENTER (CDAC)AWARD

Place of Performance

Location: POTOMAC, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20854

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $46.6 million to TISTA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF CLINICAL DATA ABSTRACTION CENTER (CDAC)AWARD Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in data management capabilities. 2. Competition was open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires careful monitoring to manage costs effectively. 5. This award falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. 6. The geographic focus appears to be Maryland, based on the award notice.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to similar data abstraction services. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs plus a fixed fee. However, CPFF can be appropriate for complex projects where cost estimation is difficult upfront. Further analysis of the contractor's performance and the final cost compared to the initial estimates would be needed for a more definitive value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The exclusion of sources suggests a specific reason for narrowing the field, but the overall 'full and open' aspect implies a broad initial solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovation among potential contractors.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include healthcare providers and researchers who rely on accurate and accessible clinical data. Services delivered involve the abstraction and management of clinical data, crucial for patient care and research. The geographic impact is primarily centered in Maryland, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include the creation of jobs for data analysts, IT specialists, and project managers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type requires robust oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services provided.
The duration of the contract (over 5 years) necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure continued value and relevance.

Positive Signals

The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract addresses a critical need for clinical data abstraction, supporting healthcare and research initiatives.
The contractor, TISTA Science and Technology Corporation, is likely experienced in providing IT services to the federal government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The market for clinical data abstraction is growing, driven by the increasing volume of healthcare data and the need for its effective management for research, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government contracts for data management, health informatics, and IT support services within the healthcare domain.

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 small business set-aside. The primary contractor, TISTA Science and Technology Corporation, is likely a mid-to-large-sized business. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting plans, if any.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Health Information Technology Services
Data Management and Analytics
Healthcare IT Support
Clinical Informatics
Federal IT Services

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Performance Monitoring Challenges
Scope Creep Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $46.6 million to TISTA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. IGF::CT::IGF CLINICAL DATA ABSTRACTION CENTER (CDAC)AWARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TISTA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.

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 $46.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-23. End: 2021-12-22.

What is the track record of TISTA Science and Technology Corporation in delivering similar IT services to the federal government?

TISTA Science and Technology Corporation has a history of providing IT services to various federal agencies. While specific details on past performance for clinical data abstraction are not detailed in this award notice, their general profile suggests experience in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and IT support. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues would be necessary to fully assess their track record for this specific type of service. Government contract databases and past performance reviews can offer more granular insights into their capabilities and reliability.

How does the awarded amount of $46.6 million compare to similar clinical data abstraction contracts?

Comparing the $46.6 million award requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific services included. Contracts for clinical data abstraction can vary significantly based on the volume of data, complexity of abstraction, required technologies, and the length of the contract period. This contract spans approximately 5 years (from 2016 to 2021), suggesting an average annual value of around $9.3 million. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify other federal contracts with similar service requirements, durations, and agency types (e.g., other health-related agencies) and compare their total values and annual spending.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for clinical data abstraction?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost overruns. In a CPFF arrangement, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, the government bears the burden of these increased expenses, while the contractor's profit (the fixed fee) remains constant. This necessitates stringent oversight from the government to ensure that all costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. Poorly defined scope or unforeseen technical challenges can exacerbate these cost risks.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring value for money?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method aims to balance broad competition with specific technical requirements. It starts with a full and open solicitation but may exclude certain sources based on predefined criteria, often related to technical capabilities or past performance. This can lead to a more focused competition among qualified vendors, potentially resulting in better-tailored solutions and competitive pricing. However, if the exclusion criteria are too narrow or subjective, it could inadvertently limit competition and potentially lead to higher prices or less innovative solutions compared to truly unrestricted full and open competition.

What is the historical spending trend for clinical data abstraction services by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)?

Analyzing historical spending trends for clinical data abstraction by CMS would require access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain a trend. However, given the increasing emphasis on data-driven healthcare, quality reporting, and research within CMS, it is plausible that spending on data management and abstraction services has been stable or increasing. This contract, awarded in 2016, suggests a sustained need for such services. A comprehensive review of CMS's IT and data services procurement history would provide a clearer picture of spending patterns.

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

Solicitation ID: NIHJT2010002

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1201 SEVEN LOCKS RD, STE 350, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20854

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,939,556

Exercised Options: $46,580,791

Current Obligation: $46,580,791

Actual Outlays: $1,692,572

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200100W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline