HHS awarded $97.25M for IT acquisition support services to Stanley Associates, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $97,251,313 ($97.3M)

Contractor: Stanley Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2007-07-02

End Date: 2012-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,674 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 52

Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: IT

Official Description: ADP ACQUISITION SUP SVCS

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $97.3 million to STANLEY ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: ADP ACQUISITION SUP SVCS Key points: 1. The contract provided essential IT acquisition support services, contributing to the operational efficiency of the National Institutes of Health. 2. With a duration of over 4 years, the contract demonstrates a sustained need for specialized IT acquisition expertise. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 4. The total award value of $97.25 million indicates a significant investment in IT acquisition support. 5. The services provided fall under Computer Systems Design Services, a critical component of federal IT infrastructure. 6. The contract's performance period spanned from 2007 to 2012, offering a historical perspective on IT acquisition needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $97.25 million for IT acquisition support services over approximately 4.5 years appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT support contracts within the federal government would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that pricing was likely competitive. The specific services rendered, such as computer systems design, are complex and require specialized expertise, justifying a substantial investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources. The presence of 52 bids suggests a highly competitive environment for these IT acquisition support services. A large number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions being presented to the government, ultimately benefiting the agency in securing the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices due to market forces and a greater likelihood of receiving high-quality services that meet the government's needs effectively.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are the various components within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which received critical IT acquisition support. The services delivered enabled the NIH to more effectively manage its IT procurements and system designs. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational sphere of the NIH, likely concentrated in areas where NIH facilities are located. The contract supported specialized IT acquisition roles, potentially impacting the workforce in IT consulting and systems design.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements were not clearly defined initially.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant period could lead to vendor lock-in.
Ensuring continued innovation and adaptation to evolving IT landscapes over the contract's duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and competitive pricing.
Sustained need for services over multiple years suggests successful performance and value delivery.
The large number of bids received points to strong contractor interest and capability in this service area.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector within the federal government is vast, encompassing a wide range of support functions from system design to cybersecurity. This contract for acquisition support services fits within the broader IT consulting and professional services market. Federal spending in this area is consistently high as agencies modernize systems and manage complex IT projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large IT support contracts awarded by agencies like HHS, NIH, or other health and science-focused organizations.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates the awardee is not a small business. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The focus was on full and open competition, which may have included small businesses as bidders, but the primary award went to a larger entity. The impact on the small business ecosystem is indirect, related to the overall competitive landscape for IT services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the contracting officers and program managers within the National Institutes of Health. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to contract terms, and delivery of specified IT acquisition support services. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Acquisition Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Professional Services Contracts
Department of Health and Human Services IT Spending
National Institutes of Health Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Ensuring continuous adaptation to evolving IT standards
Managing scope creep in complex IT projects

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $97.3 million to STANLEY ASSOCIATES, INC.. ADP ACQUISITION SUP SVCS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STANLEY ASSOCIATES, 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 $97.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-07-02. End: 2012-01-31.

What was the specific nature of the IT acquisition support services provided under this contract?

The contract, identified by NAICS code 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), focused on providing IT acquisition support. This likely encompassed a range of activities crucial for the NIH's procurement of IT goods and services. These services could include market research, requirements definition, statement of work development, source selection support, contract administration, and post-award vendor management. Essentially, Stanley Associates, Inc. would have assisted the NIH in navigating the complex processes involved in acquiring and implementing technology solutions, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and best practices in IT acquisition.

How does the total award value of $97.25 million compare to similar IT acquisition support contracts?

The total award value of $97.25 million over approximately 4.5 years for IT acquisition support services at the NIH is substantial. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare it against other large-scale IT professional services contracts awarded to agencies of similar size and mission complexity, such as other NIH contracts or IT support contracts within HHS or comparable federal entities. Factors like the specific services included, the duration, and the level of expertise required influence pricing. Given the full and open competition and the number of bids, this award suggests a competitive market rate for such comprehensive support, though a detailed comparison with specific, contemporaneous contracts would be necessary for a definitive value assessment.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the contractor's performance?

While specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided data, typical KPIs for IT acquisition support contracts often include timeliness of deliverables (e.g., completing market research reports by deadlines), quality of documentation (e.g., accuracy and completeness of SOWs), adherence to budget, successful facilitation of competition, and client satisfaction surveys from NIH program managers. Performance would also be assessed based on the contractor's ability to help the NIH achieve its IT modernization goals and ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Regular performance reviews would likely have been conducted throughout the contract's life.

What is the track record of Stanley Associates, Inc. in performing federal IT acquisition support contracts?

Stanley Associates, Inc. (now part of CACI) has a significant history of performing federal IT contracts, including those related to acquisition support. Prior to its acquisition, the company was known for providing a range of professional services to government agencies. This specific contract with NIH, awarded in 2007 and completed in 2012, represents a substantial engagement. Examining their broader contract portfolio with agencies like HHS, DoD, and others would reveal their experience in similar service areas, their performance history across various contracts, and their ability to manage large, complex federal IT projects over extended periods.

Were there any notable risks identified or managed during the performance of this contract?

Potential risks inherent in large IT acquisition support contracts include scope creep, where requirements expand beyond the original agreement, leading to cost overruns and schedule delays. Another risk is the potential for vendor lock-in if the contractor becomes indispensable. Ensuring the contractor maintained up-to-date knowledge of evolving federal IT regulations and cybersecurity best practices would also be a key risk to manage. Furthermore, maintaining effective communication and collaboration between the contractor and NIH personnel across different departments is crucial for successful service delivery and risk mitigation.

How did this contract contribute to the overall IT modernization goals of the National Institutes of Health?

This contract played a vital role in enabling the NIH to achieve its IT modernization goals by providing the specialized expertise needed to navigate complex acquisition processes. Effective IT acquisition support ensures that the NIH procures the right technologies, on time and within budget, to support its scientific research and public health missions. By assisting with system design and procurement, the contractor helped the NIH acquire modern IT infrastructure, software, and services necessary for data analysis, collaboration, and operational efficiency, ultimately supporting advancements in biomedical research and healthcare.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 52

Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (3)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CGI Inc (UEI: 248513116)

Address: 12601 FAIR LAKES CIR, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $114,179,140

Exercised Options: $100,478,466

Current Obligation: $97,251,313

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN263200100228I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline