HHS awards $45.7M for Clinical Data Management Support to Center for Cancer Research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,693,736 ($45.7M)

Contractor: Orkand Corporation, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2004-06-15

End Date: 2011-07-14

Contract Duration: 2,585 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22043

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $45.7 million to ORKAND CORPORATION, THE for work described as: CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ORKAND CORPORATION for $45.7M. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. The contract spans over 8 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The sector is Research and Development, specifically life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D data management contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was used, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure may incentivize cost increases to achieve award fees.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical cancer research support. The effectiveness of the competition and contract type in controlling costs will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Supports vital cancer research at the National Institutes of Health. Ensures the integrity and management of complex clinical data. Long-term contract suggests sustained need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to cost overruns.
Lack of small business participation.
Contract duration is extensive.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Supports critical research mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement but can be complex to benchmark due to unique project needs and evolving technologies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Efforts should be made to ensure opportunities for small businesses in future procurements within this sector.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, suggesting established oversight mechanisms. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent monitoring to ensure value for money.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure
No small business participation
Long contract duration without clear break clauses
Potential for performance metrics to be subjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $45.7 million to ORKAND CORPORATION, THE. CLINICAL DATA MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ORKAND CORPORATION, THE.

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 $45.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-06-15. End: 2011-07-14.

What specific metrics were used to determine the award fee, and how did ORKAND CORPORATION perform against these metrics?

The award fee structure is designed to incentivize performance. Without access to the specific metrics and performance evaluations, it's difficult to assess if the award fees paid were justified and if the contractor truly exceeded expectations. This information is crucial for understanding the value delivered beyond the base cost.

How does the total contract value compare to similar clinical data management support contracts for R&D purposes?

Benchmarking this $45.7 million contract is challenging without more granular data on the scope of services and specific R&D focus. However, given the 8-year duration, the annual spend appears moderate for supporting a major research initiative like the Center for Cancer Research.

What is the potential for cost escalation under the Cost Plus Award Fee structure for this contract?

The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure inherently carries a risk of cost escalation, as contractor costs are reimbursed, and additional fees are awarded for performance. Effective oversight and clearly defined performance metrics are essential to mitigate this risk and ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N02RC4701430

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc (UEI: 004203337)

Address: 7799 LEESBURG PIKE 700N, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22043

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $210,434,580

Exercised Options: $193,492,556

Current Obligation: $45,693,736

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline