NIH Awards $38.7M for Biomedical Information Services to ICF Incorporated, Supporting Critical Functions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $38,693,873 ($38.7M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2012-09-20
End Date: 2017-02-18
Contract Duration: 1,612 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF "CRITICAL FUNCTION"-SUPPORT FOR BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL INFORMATION SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE AND OTHER NIH INSTITUTES AND CENTERS
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $38.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF "CRITICAL FUNCTION"-SUPPORT FOR BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL INFORMATION SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE AND OTHER NIH INSTITUTES AND CENTERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential biomedical and clinical information services to NLM and other NIH entities. 2. ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is the contractor, with a contract value of $38.7 million. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. Services include computer systems design, crucial for managing and disseminating health information.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $38.7 million over approximately 4.5 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized IT support services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT service contracts within the federal government would provide a more precise assessment of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value by selecting from a range of qualified offerors.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.
Public Impact
Enhances critical biomedical research and public health information dissemination. Supports the National Library of Medicine's role as a leading authority on health information. Ensures continuity of vital IT services for multiple NIH institutes and centers. Impacts researchers, healthcare providers, and the public seeking reliable health data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in complex information services.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure.
- Risk of vendor lock-in if transition is not managed carefully.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical government functions.
- Long-term contract provides stability for services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant area of federal IT spending. Benchmarks for similar contracts often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
While awarded to ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., a large business, the contract's full and open competition structure allows for subcontracting opportunities. Federal agencies are encouraged to promote small business participation in such contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's duration and critical nature necessitate ongoing oversight to ensure performance standards are met and taxpayer funds are used efficiently. Regular performance reviews and adherence to contract terms are key accountability measures.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Full and open competition awarded.
- Supports critical government functions.
- Long-term contract provides service continuity.
- Potential for innovation within service delivery.
- Contract value aligns with specialized IT services.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $38.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. IGF::CT::IGF "CRITICAL FUNCTION"-SUPPORT FOR BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL INFORMATION SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE AND OTHER NIH INSTITUTES AND CENTERS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
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 $38.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-09-20. End: 2017-02-18.
What specific metrics are used to evaluate the performance of ICF Incorporated in providing biomedical and clinical information services?
Performance is likely evaluated based on service level agreements (SLAs) outlined in the contract, which could include metrics such as system uptime, data accuracy, response times for information requests, and successful implementation of new features or system upgrades. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would establish specific key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the contractor's effectiveness in supporting their critical information needs.
How does this contract contribute to the overall mission of the National Library of Medicine and NIH's research objectives?
This contract directly supports the NLM's mission to advance health by providing access to information and by advancing science and improving health through information. It enables the efficient management, storage, and dissemination of vast amounts of biomedical data, which is crucial for researchers to identify trends, develop new treatments, and for healthcare providers to access the latest clinical information, ultimately impacting public health outcomes.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for such critical information services over a multi-year period?
Key risks include vendor lock-in, where transitioning to a new vendor becomes difficult and costly. There's also a risk of service degradation if the contractor faces internal issues or fails to innovate. Furthermore, a single point of failure could arise if the contractor's systems are compromised or if they experience significant operational disruptions, potentially impacting critical NIH functions and research continuity.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: NIHJT2010001
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.
Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $38,693,873
Exercised Options: $38,693,873
Current Obligation: $38,693,873
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 7
Total Subaward Amount: $3,419,023
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200028W
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-09-20
Current End Date: 2017-02-18
Potential End Date: 2017-02-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-08-25
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