HHS awards $27M contract for regional training and technical assistance, with ICF Incorporated as prime
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,026,850 ($27.0M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2015-07-01
End Date: 2020-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF OHS REGIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK - REGION XI
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $27.0 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF OHS REGIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK - REGION XI Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract's duration of 1826 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price upfront. 4. The services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting, a broad category. 5. The award value of $27,026,850 is a significant investment in regional support services. 6. The contract was awarded to a single prime contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to similar regional training and technical assistance contracts. Without specific performance metrics or deliverables, assessing the true value-for-money is challenging. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty, but the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the services rendered would need further evaluation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that it was competed suggests that the agency sought competitive pricing and a range of potential solutions. The number of bidders, if available, would further clarify the level of competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions, potentially reducing overall program costs.
Public Impact
Beneficiaries include regional entities and potentially the workforce that receives training and technical assistance. Services delivered likely encompass training programs, expert guidance, and support for administrative management. Geographic impact is focused on Region XI, as specified in the contract description. Workforce implications include the potential for skill development and improved operational efficiency for those receiving assistance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the training and technical assistance provided.
- The broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' could lead to scope creep if not carefully managed.
- Reliance on a single prime contractor for a significant duration may present risks if the contractor's performance declines.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
- The fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides budget certainty.
- The contract duration suggests a sustained commitment to supporting regional needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management consulting. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in administrative and general management. Benchmarking this contract's value would involve comparing its per-diem rates or project costs against industry standards for similar consulting engagements, considering the specific expertise and geographic scope required.
Small Business Impact
Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not provided in the data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem and the extent of their participation in this contract remains unknown.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight mechanisms would typically involve contract performance reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services. Transparency is enhanced through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Regional Training and Technical Assistance Programs
- Management and Consulting Services
- Federal Administrative Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep due to broad service category.
- Risk of service disruption if prime contractor performance falters.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics and outcomes.
Tags
health-and-human-services, hhs, administrative-management, consulting-services, regional-support, training-and-technical-assistance, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, icf-incorporated, virginia, region-xi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $27.0 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. IGF::OT::IGF OHS REGIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK - REGION XI
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 $27.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-07-01. End: 2020-06-30.
What specific types of training and technical assistance were delivered under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the training and technical assistance. However, given the contract's classification under 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611) and its designation for 'Regional Training and Technical Assistance Network - Region XI,' it can be inferred that the services likely included workshops, guidance, best practice dissemination, and problem-solving support related to administrative operations, management strategies, and program implementation for entities within Region XI. The specific focus would depend on the needs identified by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration within HHS.
How does the $27 million award compare to similar regional technical assistance contracts?
Direct comparison of the $27 million award to similar regional technical assistance contracts is difficult without more specific data on the scope, duration, and geographic coverage of those other contracts. However, for a five-year contract (approximately 1826 days), this award averages around $5.4 million per year. This figure needs to be contextualized against the complexity of the services, the number of entities or individuals served within Region XI, and the specific expertise required. Benchmarking would ideally involve analyzing the cost per training participant or the cost per technical assistance hour for comparable federal contracts.
What is the track record of ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. in delivering federal contracts, particularly in health and human services?
ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of performing work for various federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Their portfolio often includes areas like public health, environmental science, and management consulting. While this specific contract highlights their role in regional training and technical assistance, their broader track record suggests experience in managing large, complex federal projects. A detailed review of their past performance ratings, past performance questionnaires from previous solicitations, and any documented performance issues would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and effectiveness.
What are the potential risks associated with a single prime contractor managing this extensive regional network?
The primary risk associated with a single prime contractor managing an extensive regional network is over-reliance. If ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. experiences performance issues, financial instability, or faces key personnel departures, it could significantly disrupt the delivery of essential training and technical assistance across Region XI. There's also a risk of reduced innovation or responsiveness if competition is stifled post-award. Furthermore, the agency's ability to pivot or seek alternative solutions during the contract term might be limited. Robust oversight and clear performance expectations are crucial to mitigate these risks.
How does the fixed-price contract type influence cost control and contractor performance?
A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as used here, establishes a set price for the defined scope of work, shifting most of the cost risk to the contractor. This incentivizes the contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., to manage its costs efficiently to maximize profit. For the government, it provides budget certainty and protects against cost overruns, assuming the scope is well-defined. However, if the scope changes significantly, change orders can become costly. Contractor performance is driven by the need to meet contractual requirements within the fixed price; failure to do so can result in penalties or non-payment, while exceeding expectations might yield higher profits. This structure encourages efficiency but requires careful scope definition upfront.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 15233SOL00019
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc. (UEI: 139001544)
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: $27,026,850
Exercised Options: $27,026,850
Current Obligation: $27,026,850
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $77,500
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-07-01
Current End Date: 2020-06-30
Potential End Date: 2020-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-08-17
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