HHS awarded $10.1M for program management, with Gartner Inc. as the sole contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,121,057 ($10.1M)

Contractor: Gartner, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2007-07-30

End Date: 2011-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,431 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Competition Type: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: OTHER (NONE OF THE ABOVE)

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.1 million to GARTNER, INC. for work described as: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about price discovery and potential value. 2. Duration of 1431 days suggests a long-term need for these program management services. 3. Services provided to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicate a focus on critical research support. 4. The contract's value, while significant, needs benchmarking against similar program management contracts. 5. Lack of competition may limit opportunities for other vendors and potentially impact innovation. 6. Virginia is the state associated with this contract, potentially indicating a geographic concentration of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.1 million for program management and support services over approximately four years appears moderate for a federal contract of this nature. However, without specific details on the scope of services and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program management at NIH or other health agencies would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The non-competitive nature of the award also raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a non-competitive delivery order, indicating that it was not competed. This suggests that either there was a specific justification for a sole-source award, such as a unique capability or an urgent need, or it was a follow-on to a previous sole-source action. The lack of competition means that multiple vendors were not given the opportunity to bid, which can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, as the government did not solicit multiple bids. This could mean that the awarded price is higher than it might have been in a competitive environment.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from these program management services, likely supporting its extensive research and development activities. The services delivered are crucial for the effective administration and oversight of NIH programs. The geographic impact is concentrated in Virginia, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are likely related to the personnel required to deliver these program management functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Non-competitive award limits price discovery and potential savings.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to the absence of competition.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical NIH program management functions.
Long contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for services.
Contractor is a well-known entity in the IT and consulting space.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT and professional services sector, specifically focusing on program management and support. The federal government is a significant consumer of such services to manage complex initiatives, particularly within research-intensive agencies like NIH. Comparable spending benchmarks for program management services can vary widely based on scope, duration, and complexity, but contracts in the multi-million dollar range are common for large federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. Therefore, it did not directly contribute to small business contracting goals. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data, but given the sole-source nature, the primary contractor, Gartner, Inc., would have significant discretion in its subcontracting decisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the National Institutes of Health. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (though not specified here), oversight mechanisms would be tied to the terms of that vehicle. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Support Contracts
Federal Program Management Services
IT Consulting Services for Government

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Lack of transparency in justification
Potential for inflated pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.1 million to GARTNER, INC.. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GARTNER, 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 $10.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-07-30. End: 2011-06-30.

What specific program management and support services were rendered under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/SUPPORT SERVICES' awarded to Gartner, Inc. by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While the specific deliverables are not detailed, program management services typically encompass planning, organizing, directing, and controlling resources to achieve specific project or program objectives. This can include tasks such as strategic planning, budget management, risk assessment, stakeholder communication, performance monitoring, and administrative support. Given the recipient is NIH, these services likely supported the management and execution of health research programs, clinical trials, or administrative operations critical to NIH's mission.

What is the justification for this contract being awarded on a non-competitive basis?

The data explicitly states the contract type as 'NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' (CT: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER, AW: DO). Federal procurement regulations allow for non-competitive awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs (sole-source), or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without further documentation, the exact justification for this specific award to Gartner, Inc. is unknown. Agencies must publicly justify sole-source awards above certain thresholds. This lack of competition means that the government did not explore options with other potential vendors, which can impact price and innovation.

How does the $10.1 million contract value compare to similar program management contracts at NIH or other federal health agencies?

A direct comparison of the $10.1 million value is difficult without knowing the precise scope, duration, and complexity of the services provided by Gartner, Inc. However, federal agencies, particularly large ones like NIH, frequently award multi-million dollar contracts for program management and support services. For instance, contracts for managing large research portfolios, IT system implementations, or major public health initiatives can easily reach or exceed this amount. To provide a robust benchmark, one would need to analyze contracts with similar service descriptions, agency types (e.g., other HHS agencies, CDC, FDA), and contract durations. The non-competitive nature also complicates direct value comparisons, as market-driven pricing may not have been achieved.

What is Gartner, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Health and Human Services?

Gartner, Inc. is a well-established global research and advisory firm that frequently contracts with federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Their expertise typically lies in IT research, strategic planning, and advisory services. While this specific contract was for program management and support, Gartner often provides insights and guidance that aid in program execution and decision-making. Their track record with HHS likely includes numerous engagements across various sub-agencies, leveraging their knowledge base to assist federal entities in navigating complex technological and strategic challenges. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases would reveal the full scope and performance history of their contracts.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a significant program management contract on a sole-source basis?

Awarding a significant contract like this $10.1 million program management agreement on a sole-source basis carries several potential risks. Firstly, it limits price competition, meaning the government may pay a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid. This can lead to inefficient use of taxpayer funds. Secondly, it can stifle innovation, as there is less incentive for the sole provider to offer novel solutions or cost-saving approaches when competition is absent. Thirdly, it can create vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly for the agency to switch providers in the future. Finally, it raises concerns about transparency and fairness in the procurement process, potentially leading to perceptions of favoritism or missed opportunities for other qualified businesses.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for program management and support services within the federal government?

This $10.1 million contract for program management and support services at NIH represents a typical investment federal agencies make to ensure the effective execution of their missions. The federal government spends billions annually on various forms of professional services, including program management, IT support, consulting, and administrative functions. Contracts like this are essential for agencies like NIH, which manage vast research portfolios, complex IT systems, and large-scale public health initiatives. While this specific award is non-competitive, the overall trend shows a consistent demand for these types of services across government, reflecting the complexity of federal operations and the need for specialized expertise to manage them efficiently.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: OTHER (NONE OF THE ABOVE) (3)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 56 TOP GALLANT RD, STAMFORD, CT, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,121,057

Exercised Options: $10,121,057

Current Obligation: $10,121,057

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F5014H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline