HHS Awards $62M for Public Child Welfare Consulting Services to ICF Incorporated
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $62,103,649 ($62.1M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2014-09-30
End Date: 2020-09-29
Contract Duration: 2,191 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF NATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING CENTER FOR PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $62.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF NATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING CENTER FOR PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract spans six years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. The award value of $62.1M is significant for administrative management consulting. 4. No small business participation was noted, which could be a missed opportunity. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $62.1M over six years averages approximately $10.35M annually. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale management consulting contracts for federal agencies is difficult without more specific service details, but it appears to be within a reasonable range for comprehensive program support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows any qualified vendor to bid. This method is expected to yield fair market prices, though the specific pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) requires careful oversight to control costs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which aims to secure services at the best possible price. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain controlled and do not exceed initial estimates.
Public Impact
Enhances public child welfare agency operations through expert consulting. Supports federal efforts to improve services for vulnerable children and families. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a sustained commitment to improving child welfare systems. Potential for improved efficiency and effectiveness in public child welfare programs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- No small business participation noted.
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Significant investment in improving public child welfare.
- Contract provides comprehensive management consulting services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services, a broad category often utilized by federal agencies to improve operational efficiency and program delivery. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs and project scope.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. This represents a missed opportunity to leverage small business capabilities and support federal small business contracting goals.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight from the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that costs are reasonable and that the fixed fee accurately reflects the value of the services provided. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Long contract duration (6 years).
- Potential for scope creep without strict management.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $62.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. IGF::CL::IGF NATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING CENTER FOR PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES
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 (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $62.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-30. End: 2020-09-29.
What specific metrics are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the consulting services in improving public child welfare outcomes?
The effectiveness of the consulting services is likely evaluated through performance metrics tied to the contract's statement of work. These could include improvements in case management efficiency, reduction in foster care durations, increased adoption rates, or enhanced data reporting accuracy. The agency's program office would typically monitor these metrics and provide feedback to the contractor, influencing future performance and potential contract renewals.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure mitigate risks of cost overruns for this specific contract?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure includes a fixed fee that is agreed upon at the outset, providing the contractor with an incentive to control costs to maximize their profit margin. However, the 'cost plus' portion means the government reimburses allowable costs. Risk mitigation relies heavily on robust government oversight, detailed cost accounting standards, and clear definitions of allowable expenses to prevent unnecessary spending.
What is the anticipated impact of these consulting services on the overall efficiency and effectiveness of public child welfare programs nationwide?
The anticipated impact is a significant improvement in the operational efficiency and effectiveness of public child welfare agencies. By providing expert guidance on management and administrative processes, the consulting services aim to streamline operations, improve resource allocation, enhance data utilization for decision-making, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for children and families served by these programs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $80,143,228
Exercised Options: $62,103,649
Current Obligation: $62,103,649
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $67,024
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-30
Current End Date: 2020-09-29
Potential End Date: 2020-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-09-06
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