HHS awards $76M+ to Mathematica Inc. for R&D, facing full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $76,250,268 ($76.3M)
Contractor: Mathematica Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2015-07-20
End Date: 2021-02-12
Contract Duration: 2,034 days
Daily Burn Rate: $37.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF MACBIS
Place of Performance
Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $76.3 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF MACBIS Key points: 1. Significant contract value exceeding $76 million. 2. Full and open competition indicates a competitive market. 3. Research and Development focus in social sciences and humanities. 4. Contract duration spans over 6 years.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure allows for flexibility in R&D projects. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in social sciences is difficult without more granular data, but the value appears reasonable for a multi-year effort.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors vie for the award.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers are likely receiving fair value for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Impacts research and development in social sciences and humanities. Supports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' mission. Potential for advancements in policy and program evaluation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
- Long contract duration may not adapt quickly to evolving research needs.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures market responsiveness.
- Significant investment in critical R&D areas.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. Spending in this area by HHS is crucial for policy development and program effectiveness, with benchmarks varying widely based on research scope.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a major agency within HHS. Oversight would involve monitoring research progress, adherence to the fixed fee, and overall project outcomes.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
- R&D outcomes can be difficult to quantify.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $76.3 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. IGF::OT::IGF MACBIS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA INC..
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 $76.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-07-20. End: 2021-02-12.
What specific research outcomes are expected from this contract, and how will their value be measured?
The contract likely aims to produce research findings, data analysis, and recommendations relevant to social sciences and humanities, particularly concerning healthcare policy and program effectiveness. Value measurement would depend on the contract's specific deliverables, such as published reports, policy briefs, or data sets, and their subsequent impact on program improvements or informed decision-making.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for R&D in this domain?
The primary risks include potential cost overruns if the fixed fee does not adequately account for unforeseen research challenges or scope creep, and the contractor may lack strong incentives to control costs beyond the agreed-upon fee. Additionally, defining and measuring the 'success' of R&D can be inherently difficult, potentially leading to disputes over performance and value.
How effectively does this contract leverage competition to ensure optimal pricing and innovation?
The contract's award under 'full and open competition' suggests a strong initial effort to leverage the market for competitive pricing. However, the long duration and specific R&D focus might limit ongoing competition. Ensuring continued innovation and cost-effectiveness would rely on robust performance management and potentially future competitive re-solicitations.
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: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1100 1ST ST NE FL 12, WASHINGTON, DC, 20024
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $76,250,268
Exercised Options: $76,250,268
Current Obligation: $76,250,268
Actual Outlays: $885,033
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $9,699,535
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201400034I
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-07-20
Current End Date: 2021-02-12
Potential End Date: 2021-02-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-10
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