HHS Awards $49M for IGF Endorsement and Maintenance to National Quality Forum
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $48,977,793 ($49.0M)
Contractor: National Quality Forum
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2017-09-27
End Date: 2023-03-26
Contract Duration: 2,006 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TASK ORDER 1 - ENDORSEMENT AND MAINTENANCE IGF::CT::IGF
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $49.0 million to NATIONAL QUALITY FORUM for work described as: TASK ORDER 1 - ENDORSEMENT AND MAINTENANCE IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $48.98 million over nearly six years. 2. National Quality Forum is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract falls under 'Other Management Consulting Services', a broad category. 4. Potential for cost overruns or inefficiencies due to lack of competitive pressure.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's pricing is difficult to assess without specific deliverables and market benchmarks for similar management consulting services. The firm-fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but the absence of competition limits the ability to validate pricing against market alternatives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting an initial attempt to solicit multiple bids. However, the data indicates a single award, which may imply that only one qualified bidder responded or that the evaluation process favored a specific entity.
Taxpayer Impact: The impact on taxpayers is moderate, as competition was sought. However, the final price might be higher than if multiple competitive bids had been received and evaluated.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation and support for the Integrated Guardian Framework (IGF). Supports critical health data and quality initiatives managed by CMS. Long-term commitment may indicate essential services, but also potential for vendor lock-in.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of ongoing competition could lead to price creep.
- Scope creep is a risk in long-term consulting contracts.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical IGF functions.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Long duration suggests a stable and potentially cost-effective relationship if managed well.
- Awarded under full and open competition initially.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the 'Other Management Consulting Services' sector, which is broad and encompasses a wide range of advisory and support functions. Benchmarking is challenging without specific service details, but consulting services can represent a significant portion of federal IT and administrative spending.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Therefore, it is unclear what, if any, opportunities were provided for small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically involve regular performance reviews by CMS to ensure the National Quality Forum meets contractual obligations and delivers value. The long duration necessitates diligent monitoring to prevent cost overruns and ensure continued relevance of services.
Related Government Programs
- Other Management Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for price escalation due to lack of competition.
- Risk of vendor lock-in.
- Difficulty in benchmarking consulting service costs.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing requirements.
Tags
other-management-consulting-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $49.0 million to NATIONAL QUALITY FORUM. TASK ORDER 1 - ENDORSEMENT AND MAINTENANCE IGF::CT::IGF
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NATIONAL QUALITY FORUM.
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 $49.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-09-27. End: 2023-03-26.
What specific deliverables and performance metrics are associated with this $49 million contract to ensure value for money?
The contract likely includes detailed statements of work outlining specific deliverables related to the endorsement and maintenance of the Integrated Guardian Framework (IGF). Performance metrics would focus on system uptime, responsiveness to issues, implementation of updates, and adherence to quality standards. Without access to the full contract, precise metrics remain unknown, but CMS would be responsible for tracking these to ensure the vendor meets its obligations and provides adequate value.
What are the risks associated with a single awardee for a nearly six-year contract in management consulting?
The primary risk is the potential for reduced incentive to innovate or offer competitive pricing due to the absence of ongoing competition. This can lead to price creep over time and a lack of pressure to improve service quality or efficiency. Additionally, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly to switch providers if performance degrades or market alternatives emerge.
How effectively does this contract support the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' mission given the long-term commitment?
The contract's effectiveness hinges on the National Quality Forum's ability to maintain and enhance the IGF, which presumably supports CMS's mission-critical functions related to quality and data. A long-term commitment suggests the services are essential and stable. However, effectiveness must be continuously evaluated through performance metrics and user feedback to ensure the IGF remains aligned with evolving CMS needs and technological advancements.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HHSM500201700060I
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1030 15TH ST., NW SUITE 800, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $48,977,793
Exercised Options: $48,977,793
Current Obligation: $48,977,793
Actual Outlays: $12,650,088
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201700060I
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-09-27
Current End Date: 2023-03-26
Potential End Date: 2023-03-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-09-26
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