NIH's $30.8M contract for clinical data management awarded to Peraton Inc. shows fair value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,851,823 ($30.9M)

Contractor: Peraton Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2016-07-15

End Date: 2020-01-14

Contract Duration: 1,278 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.1K/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 OTHER FUNCTION - CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH.

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $30.9 million to PERATON INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTION - CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH. Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar IT services contracts. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration and delivery order structure present moderate performance risks. 4. This contract supports critical cancer research data management for the National Cancer Institute. 5. The IT services sector is characterized by high demand and evolving technological needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of approximately $30.8 million over its period of performance suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT services contracts for data management and clinical support indicates that the pricing is within an expected range. While specific cost breakdowns are not available, the overall value does not appear to be excessively high or low compared to industry standards for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. This approach is intended to ensure the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of potential contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive market rates, thereby optimizing the use of public funds.

Public Impact

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) benefit from efficient clinical data management. The contract supports the collection, organization, and analysis of critical data for cancer research. Geographic impact is primarily within the research facilities of the NCI, likely in Maryland. The contract supports IT professionals and potentially clinical research staff involved in data handling.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within healthcare and research, is a significant market. Contracts for clinical data management are essential for organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to process and analyze vast amounts of research data. This contract fits within the broader category of health IT and data analytics services, a rapidly growing segment driven by the increasing volume and complexity of biomedical research.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not provided for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, there is no explicit indication of a specific set-aside for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether small businesses participated as prime contractors or subcontractors, which is not detailed in the available data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the Center for Cancer Research. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though detailed operational oversight specifics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

healthcare, it-services, data-management, national-institutes-of-health, department-of-health-and-human-services, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, delivery-order, computer-systems-design-services, maryland, research-and-development, cancer-research

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $30.9 million to PERATON INC.. IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTION - CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERATON INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-07-15. End: 2020-01-14.

What is the contractor's track record with similar government contracts, particularly within the NIH or other health research agencies?

Peraton Inc. has a significant history of performing IT and mission support services for various government agencies, including defense, intelligence, and civilian sectors. While specific details on their performance for this particular National Cancer Institute contract are not elaborated upon in the provided data, their broader portfolio suggests experience in managing complex IT systems and data. A deeper dive into past performance evaluations and any reported issues on similar contracts would be necessary to fully assess their track record in health research data management.

How does the cost of this contract compare to other clinical data management contracts awarded by the NIH or similar research institutions?

The total contract value of approximately $30.8 million over its duration represents a moderate annual expenditure for clinical data management services. Without access to a detailed cost breakdown or specific performance metrics, a precise comparison is challenging. However, based on general industry benchmarks for IT services supporting research, this figure appears to be within a reasonable range. Factors such as the scope of services, complexity of data, and duration significantly influence pricing, making direct comparisons difficult without granular data.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential data breaches or security vulnerabilities given the sensitive nature of clinical data, performance issues leading to delays in research, and contractor dependency. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust security protocols, regular performance reviews, clear service level agreements (SLAs), and contingency planning. The contract's structure, including delivery orders, allows for adjustments, but effective oversight is crucial to manage these risks throughout the performance period.

How effective has this contract been in supporting the National Cancer Institute's research objectives?

The effectiveness of this contract is directly tied to its ability to facilitate the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) research goals. By providing reliable clinical data management, the contract should enable researchers to efficiently collect, store, analyze, and share data, thereby accelerating discoveries and treatment development. Quantifying effectiveness would require examining metrics related to data integrity, accessibility, timeliness of analysis, and ultimately, the impact on research outcomes and publications stemming from the NCI's Center for Cancer Research.

What are the historical spending patterns for clinical data management services at the NIH or NCI?

Historical spending on clinical data management at the NIH and NCI likely shows a consistent and growing trend, reflecting the increasing volume and complexity of biomedical research and the critical need for robust data infrastructure. Such spending is essential for supporting large-scale clinical trials, genomic research, and epidemiological studies. Analyzing past contracts for similar services would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of technologies and services procured, indicating a sustained investment in this area.

What is the specific nature of the 'Computer Systems Design Services' provided under this contract?

The 'Computer Systems Design Services' under this contract specifically pertain to the management of clinical data for the National Cancer Institute's Center for Cancer Research. This likely involves designing, implementing, and maintaining systems for data collection, storage, processing, security, and retrieval. It could encompass database development, software integration, ensuring data integrity and compliance with regulations (like HIPAA), and providing technical support to researchers utilizing these systems to advance cancer research.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesComputer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONSADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: NIHJT2010001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12975 WORLDGATE STE 7322, HERNDON, VA, 20170

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,514,082

Exercised Options: $31,268,325

Current Obligation: $30,851,823

Actual Outlays: $180,107

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200025W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline

Start Date: 2016-07-15

Current End Date: 2020-01-14

Potential End Date: 2021-07-14 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-04-25

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