NIH awards $23.4M contract for health information services, spanning a decade

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,419,582 ($23.4M)

Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2007-04-01

End Date: 2017-03-24

Contract Duration: 3,645 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD HEALTH INFORMATION CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $23.4 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD HEALTH INFORMATION CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. Long contract duration of 10 years may indicate a need for sustained services. 3. Time and Materials pricing structure can pose cost control challenges. 4. The contractor, American Institutes for Research, has a significant presence in behavioral sciences. 5. This contract supports the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's information dissemination efforts. 6. The value of the contract is spread over a substantial period, averaging over $2M annually.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $23.4 million over 10 years averages to approximately $2.34 million per year. Benchmarking this against similar health information dissemination contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The lack of a fixed ceiling price in the award type raises concerns about predictable spending.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 4 bids suggests a competitive environment. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among bidders.

Public Impact

The public benefits from access to vital health information disseminated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Services delivered likely include the creation, management, and distribution of health-related content. The geographic impact is national, aiming to reach individuals across the United States. Workforce implications may involve researchers, communication specialists, and administrative staff supporting the program.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to unpredictable costs if not managed diligently.
The long contract duration may reduce flexibility to adapt to evolving information needs.
Potential for scope creep given the open-ended nature of information dissemination.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market.
Contractor has established expertise in behavioral sciences, relevant to health information.
Long-term contract provides stability for critical health information services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on health information dissemination. The market for health communication and information services is substantial, driven by government agencies and private healthcare organizations. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific scope of services, but large-scale, decade-long contracts for information services are not uncommon within federal health agencies.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. Given the nature of the services and the contractor's profile, it is possible that larger research institutions are the primary awardees, with potential for smaller firms to participate as subcontractors if specific expertise is required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) program officials. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though specific performance details may be internal.

Related Government Programs

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Programs
Public Health Information Dissemination
Health Research Support Services
Social Sciences Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Risk of scope creep over the 10-year contract duration.
Need for robust oversight to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $23.4 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD HEALTH INFORMATION CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.

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 $23.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-01. End: 2017-03-24.

What is the track record of American Institutes for Research in Health Information Dissemination?

American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a well-established research organization with a strong focus on behavioral and social sciences. They have a history of working on public health initiatives and disseminating health information. While specific details of their past performance on NIH contracts require deeper investigation, AIR's general expertise in research, evaluation, and communication suggests a capacity to fulfill the requirements of this contract. Their involvement in various government-funded projects indicates experience with federal contracting regulations and reporting requirements. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and any publicly available project outcomes related to health information.

How does the annual value of this contract compare to similar health information contracts?

The average annual value of this contract is approximately $2.34 million. Comparing this to similar contracts requires a detailed understanding of the scope of services, the specific health topics covered, and the target audiences. Contracts for broad public health information campaigns or specialized research dissemination can vary significantly in cost. For instance, a contract focused on a single disease with a limited audience might be smaller, while a multi-faceted national health initiative could be larger. Without specific benchmarks for health information dissemination services from agencies like the CDC or other NIH institutes, it's difficult to definitively state if $2.34 million annually is high or low. However, it represents a substantial investment in health communication.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract of this duration?

The primary risks with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially one spanning a decade, revolve around cost control and potential scope creep. T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fee. If not managed rigorously, this can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates, as there is no fixed ceiling price. The long duration exacerbates this risk, as unforeseen changes in project needs or market rates for labor could significantly inflate costs over time. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and regular performance reviews are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

How effective has the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute been in disseminating health information historically?

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has a long-standing mission to promote health and prevent disease through research and education. Historically, NHLBI has been instrumental in disseminating critical information on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases. Initiatives like the 'Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure' and public awareness campaigns for asthma and sickle cell disease demonstrate their commitment. Their effectiveness can be measured by the reach of their materials, public health outcomes related to the diseases they focus on, and engagement with healthcare professionals and the public. While specific impact metrics for this particular contract would be detailed in performance reports, NHLBI's overall track record suggests a strong capacity for effective health information dissemination.

What is the historical spending trend for health information services at NIH?

Historical spending trends for health information services at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) generally show a consistent and significant investment. NIH, as a whole, allocates substantial funds towards research, but also towards the dissemination of that research and public health information. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on specific program needs, new health initiatives, and budget allocations. Over the past decade, there has been an increasing emphasis on digital health information and patient engagement, which may have influenced contract types and values. Analyzing NIH's overall budget and specific institute spending patterns would reveal trends, but it's safe to assume that health information dissemination remains a core, well-funded activity.

What are the implications of awarding a definitive contract for health information services?

Awarding a definitive contract, particularly one with a long duration like this (10 years), for health information services implies a recognized need for sustained, ongoing support. Definitive contracts provide a framework for long-term service delivery, allowing for stability and continuity. For health information, this means the contractor can develop deep expertise and long-term relationships with the agency, potentially leading to more efficient and effective service delivery over time. However, it also means that the government is committing to a specific vendor for an extended period, which necessitates careful initial selection and ongoing performance monitoring to ensure the services remain aligned with evolving needs and represent good value.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST N W, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,404,709

Exercised Options: $34,404,709

Current Obligation: $23,419,582

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline