NIH's $243M contract with Westat for longitudinal study of smoking prevention shows strong competition and research focus
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $243,275,902 ($243.3M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2011-09-19
End Date: 2020-06-30
Contract Duration: 3,207 days
Daily Burn Rate: $75.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TAS::75 0893::TAS FAMILY SMOKING PREVENTION AND TOBACCO CONTROL ACT NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL STUDY
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $243.3 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: TAS::75 0893::TAS FAMILY SMOKING PREVENTION AND TOBACCO CONTROL ACT NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL STUDY Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, highly qualified research firm, indicating specialized expertise required. 2. Long-term nature of the study suggests a need for stable contractor performance and data continuity. 3. Research and Development sector focus highlights investment in scientific inquiry and public health. 4. Full and open competition indicates a robust bidding process, potentially leading to better value. 5. Contract duration of over 8 years underscores the complexity and ongoing nature of the research. 6. Performance period aligns with the long-term data collection typical for epidemiological studies.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount of $243.3 million over approximately 8 years for a complex longitudinal study appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale epidemiological research contracts is challenging due to unique study designs and durations. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility while providing contractor incentive for cost control. The fixed fee component suggests a negotiated profit margin that should be assessed against industry standards for R&D services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified research organizations had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders, as indicated by the 'no' field, points to a competitive environment. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government selects the most capable and cost-effective offeror for a specialized research endeavor.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this significant research contract helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently, driving down costs and maximizing the value of the research outcomes.
Public Impact
Benefits public health by providing critical data on smoking prevention and control. Supports the National Institutes of Health's mission to improve public health through research. The study's findings can inform policy decisions and public health interventions nationwide. Generates employment opportunities for researchers, data collectors, and support staff within the contractor's organization.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term research projects if not closely monitored.
- Ensuring data integrity and consistency over an extended study period requires rigorous quality control.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent process.
- Contractor has a track record in conducting large-scale research studies.
- Long-term nature of the contract allows for sustained focus on a critical public health issue.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for large-scale epidemiological and longitudinal studies is specialized, often dominated by a few established research organizations with the capacity and expertise to manage such complex projects. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing scientific understanding and informing public health policy, with comparable contracts often involving multi-year commitments and significant funding.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and that small business subcontracting was not explicitly mentioned. Given the specialized nature and scale of this longitudinal research study, it is likely that the prime contractor, Westat, Inc., possesses unique capabilities. Opportunities for small businesses may exist in supporting roles or specific data collection tasks, but the primary award suggests a focus on large, experienced research entities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) program officials and contracting officers. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates careful monitoring of costs and performance to ensure adherence to the research plan and budget. Transparency is generally maintained through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potential reviews by NIH. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health)
- National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
- Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program
Risk Flags
- Long-term contract requires sustained oversight.
- Complexity of longitudinal data collection may pose quality control challenges.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates careful monitoring of expenditures.
Tags
research-and-development, health-and-human-services, national-institutes-of-health, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, longitudinal-study, smoking-prevention, maryland, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $243.3 million to WESTAT, INC.. TAS::75 0893::TAS FAMILY SMOKING PREVENTION AND TOBACCO CONTROL ACT NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL STUDY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, 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 $243.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-09-19. End: 2020-06-30.
What is the specific research objective of the National Longitudinal Study of Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control?
The National Longitudinal Study of Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control (often associated with TAS 0893) aims to gather comprehensive data on the factors influencing smoking initiation, progression, and cessation among various populations. The primary goal is to provide a robust evidence base for developing and implementing effective tobacco control policies and interventions. This involves tracking participants over extended periods to understand behavioral patterns, social influences, and the impact of public health initiatives on smoking rates and related health outcomes. The study's longitudinal design is critical for establishing causal relationships and assessing the long-term effectiveness of prevention strategies.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type influence value for money in this R&D context?
The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type is often used for research and development projects where the scope of work may evolve or is not precisely defined at the outset. In this case, it allows the contractor, Westat, Inc., to incur allowable costs while working towards the research objectives, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure provides flexibility for the government to adapt research directions as findings emerge. For value for money, the government relies on robust negotiation of the fixed fee and diligent oversight of incurred costs to ensure they are reasonable and allocable to the contract. The CPFF structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently to protect their fixed profit margin.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely used to assess Westat's performance on this longitudinal study?
For a longitudinal study of this magnitude, key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely focus on several critical areas. These would include adherence to the research protocol and timeline, data quality and integrity (e.g., accuracy, completeness, consistency), participant retention rates over the study duration, timely submission of interim and final reports, and effective management of project resources. The ability to adapt to unforeseen research challenges while maintaining scientific rigor would also be a crucial performance measure. The government would monitor these KPIs through regular progress reviews, data audits, and assessment of deliverables against contract requirements.
What is the significance of the contract duration (3207 days) for the National Longitudinal Study?
The contract duration of 3207 days, approximately 8.8 years, is highly significant for a longitudinal study. Such extended periods are necessary to observe changes in behavior, health outcomes, and the impact of interventions over time. This duration allows researchers to track cohorts of individuals as they progress through different life stages, capturing critical developmental and environmental influences on smoking habits. It also enables the study to capture the lagged effects of policies and programs. The long-term commitment underscores the complexity of the research questions being addressed and the need for sustained data collection and analysis to yield meaningful scientific insights.
How does the NAICS code 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) inform the nature of this contract?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 signifies that this contract is for research and development activities within the physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding biotechnology. This classification accurately reflects the nature of the National Longitudinal Study of Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control, which involves scientific investigation into human behavior, health, and the effectiveness of interventions. Contracts under this code typically require specialized scientific expertise, rigorous methodologies, and adherence to ethical research standards. It positions the contract within a sector focused on generating new knowledge and understanding, often with the goal of improving societal well-being, as is the case with public health research.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $248,653,608
Exercised Options: $243,275,902
Current Obligation: $243,275,902
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 18
Total Subaward Amount: $28,503,120
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-09-19
Current End Date: 2020-06-30
Potential End Date: 2020-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-08-12
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