HHS awarded $56.4M for EIS SAS Enterprise License, with a base effort spanning over a year

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,359,859 ($56.4M)

Contractor: Executive Information Systems, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2011-12-22

End Date: 2015-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,286 days

Daily Burn Rate: $43.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TAS::75 4554: TAS CIT: EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS - SAS HHS ENTERPRISE LICENSE AGREEMENT. BASE EFFORT 12/31/11-12/30/12

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20827

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $56.4 million to EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, L.L.C. for work described as: TAS::75 4554: TAS CIT: EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS - SAS HHS ENTERPRISE LICENSE AGREEMENT. BASE EFFORT 12/31/11-12/30/12 Key points: 1. The contract value of $56.4M for an enterprise license suggests a significant investment in data analytics capabilities. 2. The base effort duration of approximately one year, with potential for extensions, indicates an ongoing need for these services. 3. The award was made via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these types of enterprise software licenses. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The primary contractor, Executive Information Systems, L.L.C., is positioned to deliver these specialized services. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334111 points to the electronic computer manufacturing sector, though the service is likely software-related. 7. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $56.4 million award for an enterprise license over its period of performance appears reasonable given the scope of providing SAS software to a large agency like HHS. Benchmarking against similar large-scale enterprise software agreements would provide further context, but the fixed-price nature suggests a degree of cost certainty for the government. The contract's duration and value indicate a substantial commitment to data analytics infrastructure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and allowed to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive better pricing and service offerings for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for SAS enterprise licenses.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and potentially lower prices compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers, analysts, and decision-makers within the Department of Health and Human Services who rely on SAS software for data analysis and reporting. The services delivered include access to and support for the SAS Enterprise License, enabling advanced statistical analysis, data management, and business intelligence. The geographic impact is primarily within HHS facilities, supporting its mission across the United States. Workforce implications include enabling federal employees to utilize powerful data analytics tools, potentially enhancing productivity and the quality of insights derived from health-related data.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with enterprise software licenses.
Ensuring adequate training and support for end-users across HHS.
Monitoring contract performance to ensure delivery meets expectations.
Assessing the long-term cost-effectiveness of the SAS platform.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potentially good value.
Enterprise-wide license can lead to economies of scale.
Delivery Order structure implies it's part of a broader contracting strategy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on enterprise software licensing and support. The market for business intelligence and analytics software, such as SAS, is substantial, with numerous vendors competing for government and commercial contracts. Government spending in this area is driven by the need for data-driven decision-making across all agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large federal agencies' investments in similar enterprise analytics platforms.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a large enterprise license, it is less likely to be directly set aside for small businesses, though prime contractors may engage small businesses for support services. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist within the performance of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the broader HHS. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified software and support. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

HHS Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
NIH Data Management and Analytics Contracts
Federal Civilian Agency Software Licensing
SAS Software Government Contracts
Health Information Technology Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Adequacy of technical support and training
Cybersecurity risks associated with enterprise software

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $56.4 million to EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, L.L.C.. TAS::75 4554: TAS CIT: EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS - SAS HHS ENTERPRISE LICENSE AGREEMENT. BASE EFFORT 12/31/11-12/30/12

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, 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 $56.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-12-22. End: 2015-06-30.

What is the track record of Executive Information Systems, L.L.C. with federal contracts, particularly for enterprise software?

Executive Information Systems, L.L.C. has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily within the IT services and software domain. Analyzing their past performance on similar large-scale enterprise software awards, especially those involving significant dollar values and long durations, is crucial. This includes examining contract completion rates, any reported performance issues, and their experience with specific software suites like SAS. A review of their contract history can reveal patterns in their ability to meet government requirements, manage complex projects, and adhere to budgetary constraints, providing insight into their reliability as a contractor for this HHS agreement.

How does the $56.4 million value compare to similar enterprise SAS license agreements awarded by other federal agencies?

To benchmark the $56.4 million award, a comparative analysis with similar enterprise SAS license agreements across federal agencies is necessary. This involves identifying contracts with comparable scope, user base size, and duration. For instance, comparing it to awards made to agencies like the Department of Defense, Social Security Administration, or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for their SAS enterprise deployments can provide valuable context. Factors such as the specific modules licensed, the level of support included, and the contract type (e.g., fixed-price vs. cost-plus) will influence the price. A higher or lower value relative to these benchmarks could indicate favorable or unfavorable pricing for HHS.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract, and how has the contractor performed against them?

Key performance indicators for an enterprise software license contract like this typically revolve around software availability, performance, support response times, and user satisfaction. Specific KPIs might include uptime percentages for the SAS environment, adherence to service level agreements (SLAs) for technical support, successful deployment of new software versions or modules, and timely delivery of requested features or enhancements. Performance against these KPIs would be monitored through regular reporting by the contractor and government oversight. Analyzing performance data, including any deviations from SLAs or documented issues, is essential to assess the contractor's effectiveness and the overall value derived from the contract.

What is the historical spending trend for SAS software licenses at HHS or similar agencies over the past five years?

Examining historical spending trends for SAS software licenses at HHS and comparable agencies over the past five years provides context for the current $56.4 million award. This analysis would involve identifying all SAS-related contracts, their values, durations, and the specific services or licenses procured. Trends might reveal increasing or decreasing reliance on SAS, shifts towards cloud-based solutions, or consolidation of licenses. Understanding these patterns can help determine if the current award represents a continuation of established spending, an expansion, or a potential shift in strategy. It also helps in assessing whether overall spending on such analytics platforms is escalating across the federal government.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor's ability to deliver on this enterprise license agreement?

Assessing risks associated with Executive Information Systems, L.L.C. for this contract involves evaluating factors such as their financial stability, technical expertise in deploying and supporting SAS enterprise solutions, and past performance on similar contracts. Potential risks could include delays in software delivery or implementation, inadequate technical support, cybersecurity vulnerabilities associated with the software or its deployment, or challenges in scaling the solution to meet HHS's evolving needs. A thorough risk assessment would also consider the contractor's ability to manage subcontractors, if any, and their compliance with federal regulations and data security requirements. Reviewing past performance reports and any contract disputes can highlight specific areas of concern.

What is the potential for cost savings or efficiencies gained by consolidating SAS licenses under this enterprise agreement?

Consolidating SAS licenses under an enterprise agreement like this one awarded to HHS often aims to achieve significant cost savings and operational efficiencies. By moving from individual departmental licenses or disparate agreements to a single, comprehensive contract, agencies can leverage volume discounts and reduce administrative overhead associated with managing multiple contracts. Efficiencies can also be realized through standardized deployment, centralized support, and easier access to advanced analytics capabilities across the organization. The potential for savings is typically evaluated by comparing the total cost of the enterprise license against the sum of previous, fragmented licensing costs, factoring in reduced procurement and management expenses.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 6901 ROCKLEDGE DR STE 600, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,359,859

Exercised Options: $56,359,859

Current Obligation: $56,359,859

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0170K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline