HHS awards $23.3M for research and development in social sciences and humanities to National Opinion Research Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,259,591 ($23.3M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2012-05-23

End Date: 2017-05-28

Contract Duration: 1,831 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: FINANCIAL ALIGNMENT OPERATIONS SUPPORT CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60637

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $23.3 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: FINANCIAL ALIGNMENT OPERATIONS SUPPORT CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1831 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The award was a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541720 points to research and development in social sciences and humanities. 6. The contract was awarded to National Opinion Research Center, a known entity in research services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables and performance metrics. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure inherently carries risk for cost control. Comparing it to similar R&D contracts in social sciences would require detailed analysis of scope and outcomes. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, but the cost-reimbursement aspect necessitates vigilant oversight to ensure efficiency and prevent unnecessary expenditures.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific award. This competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers and policymakers who will utilize the findings from the social sciences and humanities research. The services delivered are research and development activities within the social sciences and humanities, contributing to knowledge and understanding in these fields. The geographic impact is not specified but likely national, given the nature of research and the agency involved. Workforce implications could include employment for researchers, analysts, and support staff at the National Opinion Research Center and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to incur higher costs to achieve the fixed fee.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the R&D conducted.
The long duration of the contract (1831 days) may lead to scope creep or outdated research if not actively managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost predictability for the government.
The contractor, National Opinion Research Center, is likely experienced in conducting research and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. This sector is crucial for informing policy, understanding societal trends, and advancing knowledge. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific research areas and the scale of projects within social science R&D, which can vary widely.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business set-asides for this contract. The award was made to a single large entity, the National Opinion Research Center. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could exist depending on the project's needs and the prime contractor's strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) and program managers within CMS to monitor progress, review deliverables, and ensure compliance with the contract terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed project outcomes are often proprietary or published separately. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Social Science Research Grants
Humanities Research Funding
Policy Analysis Contracts
Program Evaluation Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective assessment of value difficult.
Long contract duration may pose risks if not actively managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $23.3 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. FINANCIAL ALIGNMENT OPERATIONS SUPPORT CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

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 $23.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-05-23. End: 2017-05-28.

What specific research projects or areas of inquiry were funded under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact research projects or areas of inquiry funded under this contract. The NAICS code 541720 indicates 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities,' which is a broad category. To understand the specific research, one would need to consult the contract's statement of work (SOW) or related documentation. This could include studies on public health behaviors, economic impacts of policies, sociological trends, or educational research, among many other possibilities within the social sciences and humanities.

How does the total contract value of $23.3 million compare to typical R&D spending in social sciences and humanities by HHS?

Comparing the $23.3 million contract value to typical R&D spending in social sciences and humanities by HHS requires access to historical HHS budget data and specific program allocations. Without that comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if this amount is high, low, or average. However, for a single contract spanning approximately five years (1831 days), $23.3 million suggests a significant investment in research, potentially covering multiple studies or a large-scale, long-term research initiative. Further analysis would involve benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts within HHS or other federal agencies focused on social sciences.

What are the potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this research and development effort?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is that the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While the fixed fee provides some cost certainty, the 'cost-plus' element can incentivize the contractor to incur higher costs, as their profit (the fixed fee) remains constant regardless of the total cost. This can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. For R&D, where outcomes can be uncertain, this structure requires robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. The government bears the risk of cost escalation beyond initial estimates.

What is the track record of the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) in performing similar government research contracts?

The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) is a well-established research institution affiliated with the University of Chicago, known for conducting large-scale social science research for government agencies and private organizations. NORC has a long history of managing complex research projects, including surveys, program evaluations, and policy analyses for various federal departments such as HHS, NSF, and others. Their track record generally indicates experience in handling significant government contracts. Specific performance details for past contracts would require a deeper dive into contract performance databases and agency reports, but their longevity and scope suggest a capacity to fulfill such R&D requirements.

How many other contracts of similar size and scope has HHS awarded for social science R&D in the past five years?

Determining the exact number of similar contracts requires a comprehensive search of HHS contract databases using specific criteria (e.g., NAICS code 541720, contract type, value range, and duration). However, HHS, particularly through agencies like CMS and NIH, frequently funds research in social sciences and health-related fields. Contracts in the multi-million dollar range for R&D are not uncommon, especially for large-scale epidemiological studies, health services research, or policy analysis initiatives. A detailed query would be needed to quantify precisely how many contracts of this magnitude have been awarded.

What performance metrics or deliverables were likely established to measure the success of this $23.3 million R&D contract?

While specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided data, R&D contracts typically include deliverables such as research reports, data sets, publications, presentations, and potentially prototypes or methodologies. Success would likely be measured against the quality, timeliness, and relevance of these deliverables, as outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). For a CPFF contract, performance might also be indirectly assessed through the efficient use of resources and adherence to research protocols. The fixed fee component suggests that achieving defined milestones or final outcomes was critical for the contractor to earn their fee.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60637

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: $32,215,862

Exercised Options: $23,259,591

Current Obligation: $23,259,591

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201100002I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline