HHS Spends $43.3M on Medicare-Medicaid Financial Alignment Initiative Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,329,873 ($43.3M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2016-09-27
End Date: 2025-12-26
Contract Duration: 3,377 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF STAGE TWO MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE MEDICARE-MEDICAID FINANCIAL ALIGNMENT INITIATIVE
Place of Performance
Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $43.3 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF STAGE TWO MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE MEDICARE-MEDICAID FINANCIAL ALIGNMENT INITIATIVE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in social sciences. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. The contract duration is substantial at 3377 days. 4. The project aims to evaluate the Medicare-Medicaid Financial Alignment Initiative.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The delivery order structure suggests it's part of a larger IDIQ, but specific price discovery details are not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for research to improve healthcare program alignment and potentially identify cost savings or efficiencies in Medicare and Medicaid.
Public Impact
Potential for improved healthcare coordination between Medicare and Medicaid. Research findings could inform future policy decisions impacting millions of beneficiaries. Evaluation may lead to more efficient use of taxpayer dollars in healthcare.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or outdated research.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
- Focus on financial alignment could lead to significant healthcare savings.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Spending in this area is often focused on policy analysis and program evaluation, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The long duration and research nature of the contract necessitate ongoing monitoring to ensure objectives are met and funds are used effectively.
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
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration (over 9 years).
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns without stringent oversight.
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 $43.3 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::OT::IGF STAGE TWO MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE MEDICARE-MEDICAID FINANCIAL ALIGNMENT INITIATIVE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.
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 $43.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-09-27. End: 2025-12-26.
What specific metrics will be used to measure the success of the Medicare-Medicaid Financial Alignment Initiative evaluation?
The success metrics for the initiative's evaluation are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such evaluations would focus on measures like improved patient outcomes, reduced administrative costs, increased beneficiary satisfaction, and better care coordination between the Medicare and Medicaid programs. A thorough review of the Statement of Work would be necessary to identify specific KPIs.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for this type of research?
A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract carries the risk that the contractor may not be sufficiently incentivized to control costs, as the government agrees to pay all allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This can lead to cost overruns if the contractor's estimated costs are inaccurate or if scope creep occurs without proper change order management. Effective oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks.
How will the findings of this research be disseminated and utilized to impact future healthcare policy?
The dissemination and utilization plan for the research findings are not specified. Typically, research contracts of this nature involve regular progress reports, a final comprehensive report, and potentially presentations to stakeholders. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would then be responsible for analyzing these findings and incorporating them into policy development and program adjustments.
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: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709
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: $43,329,873
Exercised Options: $43,329,873
Current Obligation: $43,329,873
Actual Outlays: $12,128,585
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 9
Total Subaward Amount: $8,824,282
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201400037I
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-09-27
Current End Date: 2025-12-26
Potential End Date: 2025-12-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-22
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