HHS Spends $26M on Mathematica's R&D for Learning Collaboratives, Awarded via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,176,655 ($26.2M)
Contractor: Mathematica Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2017-09-13
End Date: 2022-12-12
Contract Duration: 1,916 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF LEARNING COLLABORATIVES
Place of Performance
Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $26.2 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF LEARNING COLLABORATIVES Key points: 1. Significant investment of $26.18M in research and development. 2. Contract awarded to Mathematica Inc., a single entity. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 4. The contract spans nearly 5 years, indicating a long-term project. 5. Sector is R&D, specifically social sciences and humanities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount of $26.18M over nearly 5 years needs further scrutiny against similar R&D contracts in social sciences.
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. However, the specific pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) requires careful monitoring to ensure value for money.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for research and development, with the expectation of generating valuable insights and improvements in learning collaboratives.
Public Impact
Potential for improved learning collaboratives through research. Investment in social sciences and humanities R&D. Long-term engagement with a single contractor for a significant sum.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Long duration of contract
- Single awardee for a large sum
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Focus on R&D for public benefit
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector. Spending benchmarks for this specific niche are difficult to establish without more granular data, but $26M over nearly 5 years represents a substantial investment.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved in this specific contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would focus on the management of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the project deliverables align with the intended research outcomes for learning collaboratives.
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 can lead to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility.
- Single awardee for a large sum warrants scrutiny.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Need for clear performance metrics and 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 $26.2 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. IGF::OT::IGF LEARNING COLLABORATIVES
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 $26.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-09-13. End: 2022-12-12.
What specific outcomes or deliverables are expected from this $26M R&D investment in learning collaboratives?
The expected outcomes would likely involve the development of new methodologies, best practices, or evidence-based strategies for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of learning collaboratives. This could include research reports, pilot program evaluations, and actionable recommendations for program implementation within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or broader healthcare contexts.
How effectively was the 'full and open competition' process managed to ensure the best value was obtained for the taxpayer, given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure?
While 'full and open competition' is a positive indicator, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure necessitates robust oversight. The agency must have clearly defined cost ceilings and performance metrics. Evaluating the effectiveness requires examining the contractor's cost proposals, negotiation process, and ongoing monitoring of expenditures against the fixed fee and project milestones to ensure efficiency and prevent unnecessary cost growth.
What is the long-term impact or potential return on investment for this $26M spent on R&D for learning collaboratives?
The long-term impact hinges on the successful application of the research findings. If the developed strategies lead to demonstrably improved learning outcomes, increased efficiency in healthcare delivery, or cost savings within CMS programs, the return on investment could be substantial. However, R&D investments carry inherent risks, and the actual impact will depend on the research quality and the subsequent adoption and effectiveness of its recommendations.
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: 2
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: $26,176,655
Exercised Options: $26,176,655
Current Obligation: $26,176,655
Actual Outlays: $18,336,000
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $2,564,248
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: 2017-09-13
Current End Date: 2022-12-12
Potential End Date: 2022-12-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-04
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