NIH awarded $21.9M for scientific consulting services, with 10 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,869,763 ($21.9M)

Contractor: Kelly Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2015-09-26

End Date: 2018-04-05

Contract Duration: 922 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - OTHER FUNCTIONS - SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (STOPS)

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $21.9 million to KELLY SERVICES, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - OTHER FUNCTIONS - SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (STOPS) Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive nature of the award. 2. Strong competition dynamics suggest fair pricing was achieved. 3. No immediate risk indicators are apparent from the award data. 4. Performance context is for scientific and technical consulting services. 5. This contract fits within the professional services sector for the government. 6. The award was made under a broad category for scientific services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $21.9 million over its period of performance is within a reasonable range for specialized scientific consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical consulting services by agencies like NIH indicates that the pricing structure, likely firm-fixed-price, generally aligns with market rates when considering the scope and duration. The competitive award process further supports the assessment of good value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with 10 distinct bids received. This high level of participation from multiple offerors indicates a robust and healthy competitive environment. The extensive bidding process suggests that the government had a wide selection of qualified contractors to choose from, which typically drives more competitive pricing and better service offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a marketplace where contractors vie for the business, leading to potentially lower costs and higher quality services.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from access to specialized scientific and technical expertise. Services delivered likely support research, development, and administrative functions within NIH. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contract is managed. Workforce implications include the engagement of skilled scientific consultants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract type can limit cost overruns.
Multiple bids received indicate strong market interest.
Contract awarded to a known entity (Kelly Services, Inc.).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, a significant area of federal spending. This sector encompasses a wide range of services, including management and financial consulting, scientific research and development, and environmental consulting. Government spending in this area often supports agency missions by providing specialized expertise that may not be available in-house. Comparable spending benchmarks for scientific consulting services vary widely based on specialization and duration, but the $21.9 million award is substantial for a single contract.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award appears minimal. However, the prime contractor, Kelly Services, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would need to be assessed through detailed subcontracting reports if available.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the National Institutes of Health. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally provided through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Professional Services
Research and Development Support
Health Services Contracting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $21.9 million to KELLY SERVICES, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF - OTHER FUNCTIONS - SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (STOPS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KELLY SERVICES, 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 $21.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-09-26. End: 2018-04-05.

What specific types of scientific and technical consulting services were procured under this contract?

The contract falls under the NAICS code 541690, 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.' While the specific details of the services are not provided in the summary data, this category typically includes consulting services related to physical sciences, engineering, and life sciences. Examples could range from advising on research methodologies, evaluating scientific data, providing technical expertise for specific projects, or assisting with regulatory compliance in scientific fields. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) focuses on biomedical and public health research, suggesting the consulting services likely supported these areas, potentially involving expertise in areas like clinical trials, data analysis for health studies, or scientific program management.

How does the contract's duration and value compare to similar NIH contracts for scientific consulting?

This contract had a duration of approximately 2.6 years (from September 26, 2015, to April 5, 2018) with a total value of $21.9 million. This translates to an average annual value of roughly $8.4 million. Comparing this to other NIH contracts for scientific consulting requires access to a broader dataset of historical awards. However, for a specialized consulting service supporting a major research institution like NIH, an annual value in the mid-single-digit millions is not uncommon, especially for complex or high-demand expertise. The total value of $21.9 million suggests a significant scope of work or a long-term engagement for specialized support.

What is the track record of Kelly Services, Inc. in performing federal contracts, particularly for NIH?

Kelly Services, Inc. is a large, well-established staffing and workforce solutions company that frequently holds federal contracts. Their track record with federal agencies, including NIH, is generally extensive, often involving providing temporary staffing, professional services, and specialized consulting. While this specific contract was for scientific and technical consulting, Kelly Services' broader federal contracting history likely includes a wide array of service types. A detailed review of their past performance ratings on similar contracts, particularly those with NIH or other health-related agencies, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and success in delivering contracted services.

Were there any performance issues or contract modifications noted during the life of this contract?

The provided summary data does not include details on contract modifications, performance issues, or disputes. Such information is typically found in more detailed contract award files or agency performance management systems. Without access to these records, it's impossible to definitively state whether there were performance issues. However, the contract was completed within its scheduled end date, which might suggest that any issues, if they arose, were resolved without significant disruption or extension. Further investigation into contract modification history and performance reviews would be necessary for a complete assessment.

What is the historical spending trend for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' at NIH?

Historical spending trends for the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' category (NAICS 541690) at NIH would reveal fluctuations based on research priorities, funding appropriations, and specific project needs. Generally, agencies like NIH rely on external expertise to supplement their internal capabilities, especially in rapidly evolving scientific fields. Spending in this area can increase during periods of significant research investment or when new technological challenges arise. Conversely, it might decrease if agencies prioritize in-house development or face budget constraints. Analyzing NIH's spending over several fiscal years for this NAICS code would illustrate these trends and contextualize the $21.9 million award within a broader financial picture.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 999 W BIG BEAVER RD, TROY, MI, 48084

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,869,763

Exercised Options: $21,869,763

Current Obligation: $21,869,763

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN271201500007I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline