HHS awards $127M for NIH molecular biology software support to Guidehouse Digital LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $126,874,371 ($126.9M)
Contractor: Guidehouse Digital LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2016-06-30
End Date: 2019-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,187 days
Daily Burn Rate: $106.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF SOFTWARE SUPPORT FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENOMICS INFORMATION RESOURCES
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $126.9 million to GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF SOFTWARE SUPPORT FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENOMICS INFORMATION RESOURCES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $127M for specialized IT services. 2. Competition method indicates a full and open process after source exclusion. 3. Potential risk associated with the exclusion of sources in the procurement. 4. IT sector spending, specifically in computer systems design services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $127M for 3 years of IT support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of molecular biology and genomics information resources. Benchmarking against similar complex IT service contracts would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The procurement utilized 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded. This method can impact price discovery by potentially limiting the pool of bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential IT support for critical research resources. The effectiveness of the competition method in achieving best value is key to taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
Supports vital research in molecular biology and genomics. Ensures continued access to critical information resources for scientists. Potential for innovation in biological data management and analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Exclusion of sources may limit competition and potentially increase costs.
- Contract duration and value warrant close monitoring for performance and cost efficiency.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical scientific research infrastructure.
- Procurement aimed for open competition, albeit with exclusions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. Spending in this area is substantial across federal agencies, supporting a wide range of digital infrastructure and research capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's duration and value necessitate robust oversight to ensure performance standards are met and funds are used efficiently. The 'exclusion of sources' element warrants particular attention from oversight bodies.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for reduced competition due to source exclusion.
- Complexity of specialized IT services may lead to cost overruns.
- Long-term contract requires sustained performance monitoring.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical research infrastructure.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $126.9 million to GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC. IGF::OT::IGF SOFTWARE SUPPORT FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENOMICS INFORMATION RESOURCES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GUIDEHOUSE DIGITAL LLC.
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 $126.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-06-30. End: 2019-09-30.
What was the justification for excluding specific sources in this full and open competition?
The justification for excluding specific sources would typically be documented in the solicitation or contract award documents. Common reasons include unique capabilities, prior performance, or specific technical requirements that only certain vendors could meet. Understanding this rationale is crucial for assessing the fairness and effectiveness of the competition.
How does the cost of this contract compare to similar IT support contracts for scientific resources?
A direct comparison of cost requires detailed analysis of contract scope, duration, labor categories, and specific services rendered. Without access to comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if $127M is high or low. However, the specialized nature of molecular biology and genomics IT support suggests potentially higher costs than general IT services.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is Guidehouse Digital LLC's performance being measured?
Key performance indicators for this contract would likely focus on system uptime, data integrity, response times for support requests, successful implementation of updates, and overall user satisfaction within the NIH research community. Performance is typically measured through regular reporting, milestone achievement, and adherence to service level agreements (SLAs).
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: NIHJT2010002
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1676 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE, MCLEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $129,930,720
Exercised Options: $126,874,371
Current Obligation: $126,874,371
Actual Outlays: $6,732
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201300006W
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-06-30
Current End Date: 2019-09-30
Potential End Date: 2019-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-05-23
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