CMS' Center for Program Integrity paid $27.2M for outreach and education services over 5 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,206,283 ($27.2M)
Contractor: Fors Marsh Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2017-09-28
End Date: 2022-09-27
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF PERFORM OUTREACH AND EDUCATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF CMS' CENTER FOR PROGRAM INTEGRITY
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $27.2 million to FORS MARSH GROUP LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF PERFORM OUTREACH AND EDUCATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF CMS' CENTER FOR PROGRAM INTEGRITY Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in program integrity outreach. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Performance duration indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract's focus on education and outreach is crucial for beneficiary understanding and compliance. 5. Sector positioning places this within the broader health services and government contracting landscape.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total contract value of $27.2 million over five years averages to approximately $5.44 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for outreach and education services within federal health agencies is challenging without more specific service details. However, the pricing appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized government outreach programs, especially considering the duration and scope. The value proposition hinges on the effectiveness of the outreach in improving program integrity and reducing fraud, waste, and abuse.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while full and open competition was intended, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain sources. This suggests a limited competition scenario rather than a truly open one. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated but the award type implies a controlled selection process. This level of competition may lead to less aggressive pricing compared to a fully open bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the absolute lowest price due to the limited nature of the competition. However, the process aimed to ensure a qualified contractor was selected for a critical function.
Public Impact
Beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid programs are the primary recipients of the outreach and education services, aiming to improve their understanding of program rules and benefits. The services delivered are intended to enhance program integrity by educating stakeholders and potentially deterring fraud, waste, and abuse. The geographic impact is national, as CMS programs serve beneficiaries across the United States. Workforce implications include the contractor's personnel dedicated to developing and delivering outreach materials and programs, as well as potential impacts on CMS staff involved in program oversight.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition could result in higher costs for taxpayers.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true effectiveness of the outreach.
- The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into the specific reasons for exclusion.
Positive Signals
- The contract addresses a critical need for program integrity within CMS.
- The long-term duration suggests a stable and ongoing requirement, allowing for consistent service delivery.
- The focus on outreach and education is a proactive approach to program management.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the government services sector, specifically focusing on health program support and public outreach. The market for such services includes a range of consulting firms and communication specialists. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the specific types of outreach and education provided. However, government spending on program integrity and beneficiary education is substantial, reflecting the complexity and scale of programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the 'ss' (small business set-aside) field is false and the 'sb' (small business) field is also false. This suggests the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in supporting this critical government function.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of this contract would typically fall under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) program officials and potentially the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG). Accountability measures would be tied to contract performance requirements and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. The IG's jurisdiction would cover audits and investigations related to potential fraud, waste, or abuse in the contract's execution.
Related Government Programs
- CMS Program Integrity Initiatives
- Medicare Outreach and Education
- Medicaid Fraud Control
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Enforcement
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Implementation Support
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may impact cost-effectiveness.
- Performance effectiveness metrics are not readily available.
- Reasons for source exclusion in competition are not detailed.
Tags
healthcare, cms, department-of-health-and-human-services, outreach-and-education, program-integrity, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, time-and-materials, delivery-order, fors-marsh-group-llc, virginia, large-business
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $27.2 million to FORS MARSH GROUP LLC. IGF::OT::IGF PERFORM OUTREACH AND EDUCATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF CMS' CENTER FOR PROGRAM INTEGRITY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FORS MARSH GROUP LLC.
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 $27.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-09-28. End: 2022-09-27.
What specific outreach and education activities were performed under this contract?
The contract, awarded to FORS MARSH GROUP LLC, was for 'PERFORM OUTREACH AND EDUCATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF CMS' CENTER FOR PROGRAM INTEGRITY.' While the data does not detail the specific activities, such services typically involve developing and disseminating educational materials (brochures, websites, webinars), conducting training sessions for providers and beneficiaries, and implementing communication strategies to inform stakeholders about program rules, compliance requirements, and fraud prevention measures. The goal is to enhance understanding and promote adherence to program integrity standards within Medicare and Medicaid.
How does the $27.2 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for program integrity outreach?
Direct comparison of the $27.2 million contract value is difficult without knowing the precise scope and deliverables. However, federal agencies, particularly within HHS, allocate significant resources to program integrity efforts. Contracts for large-scale public outreach, education campaigns, and compliance support can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the target audience, complexity of the subject matter, and duration. This contract's value appears substantial, suggesting a comprehensive and long-term engagement focused on a critical area of CMS operations.
What are the potential risks associated with a 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award?
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' (FOUCAES) designation implies that while the intent was full and open competition, specific sources were excluded. This can introduce risks such as reduced price competition, potentially leading to higher costs for the government. It may also limit the pool of innovative solutions if certain capable contractors were excluded without clear justification. Transparency regarding the reasons for exclusion is crucial to mitigate risks of perceived unfairness or missed opportunities for best value.
What is the track record of FORS MARSH GROUP LLC in performing similar government contracts?
FORS MARSH GROUP LLC has a history of performing government contracts, including those related to outreach, education, and communication services. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly with agencies like CMS or other health-related federal bodies, would provide insight into their capabilities, reliability, and success in meeting government requirements. A review of their contract history, including any performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires, would be necessary to fully assess their track record for this specific type of work.
How effective has this contract been in improving CMS program integrity?
Assessing the effectiveness of this contract in improving CMS program integrity requires access to performance metrics and outcome data that are not provided in the basic contract award details. Effectiveness would be measured by indicators such as a reduction in fraud, waste, and abuse rates, improved beneficiary compliance with program rules, increased provider understanding of regulations, and the successful dissemination of critical program information. Without specific performance reports or evaluations, it is challenging to quantify the direct impact of the outreach and education services.
What were the historical spending patterns for similar outreach and education services at CMS prior to this contract?
To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze prior contract awards for program integrity outreach and education services by CMS. This would involve examining contract databases for similar services over previous fiscal years, noting the number of contracts, their values, the contractors involved, and the duration. Such an analysis would reveal trends in spending, identify key service providers, and provide a baseline against which the $27.2 million contract can be contextualized, indicating whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 171688
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4250 FAIRFAX DR, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,426,191
Exercised Options: $27,206,283
Current Obligation: $27,206,283
Actual Outlays: $8,024,914
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS117
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-09-28
Current End Date: 2022-09-27
Potential End Date: 2022-09-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-04-11
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