HHS Spends $22.4M on Maternal Home Visiting Program Consulting, Raising Effectiveness Questions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,448,354 ($22.4M)
Contractor: Mdrc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2011-09-29
End Date: 2016-11-23
Contract Duration: 1,882 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MATERNAL, INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING PROGRAM.
Place of Performance
Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10016
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $22.4 million to MDRC for work described as: EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MATERNAL, INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING PROGRAM. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting some limitations. 3. The program's effectiveness is the subject of this evaluation, indicating potential value concerns. 4. The sector is primarily administrative support for public health initiatives.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $22.4M for consulting services is substantial. Benchmarking against similar management consulting contracts for program evaluation is difficult without more specific service details, but the cost warrants scrutiny given the focus on program effectiveness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies a specific reason for excluding certain potential bidders. This method might limit the pool of expertise and potentially impact price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to evaluate the effectiveness of a federal program. The ultimate impact depends on whether the evaluation leads to program improvements or cost savings.
Public Impact
The evaluation aims to assess the impact and effectiveness of a program serving vulnerable populations. Findings could influence future funding and policy decisions for maternal and child health initiatives. Transparency in the evaluation process and its outcomes is crucial for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Effectiveness of the program being evaluated is unknown.
- Competition method is not standard full and open.
- Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost increases.
Positive Signals
- Contract aims to improve a vital social program.
- Evaluation is being conducted by a specialized firm (MDRC).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services, supporting the Department of Health and Human Services. Spending benchmarks for consulting on program effectiveness evaluations can vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation goals for small businesses in this contract. The focus appears to be on specialized consulting services.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration within HHS, suggesting a level of internal oversight. However, the effectiveness of this oversight in ensuring value for money is not detailed.
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
- Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Effectiveness of the program itself is under evaluation, indicating inherent uncertainty.
- Lack of detail on small business participation.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, ny, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $22.4 million to MDRC. EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MATERNAL, INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING PROGRAM.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MDRC.
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 $22.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-09-29. End: 2016-11-23.
What specific metrics are being used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, and how will the consulting firm ensure objectivity?
The evaluation's effectiveness hinges on the clarity and robustness of the metrics employed. Objective metrics should encompass quantifiable outcomes like infant mortality rates, child development milestones, and parental well-being. The consulting firm must adhere to rigorous research methodologies, potentially including control groups and longitudinal data analysis, to ensure unbiased findings that accurately reflect the program's impact.
Given the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition, what was the justification, and could this have led to a less competitive price or limited the range of innovative approaches considered?
Excluding sources typically occurs when specific expertise or capabilities are required that only a limited number of contractors possess, or for national security reasons. The justification for exclusion here needs to be transparent. If it narrowed the field significantly, it could have reduced competitive pressure, potentially leading to a higher price than if a broader competition had been feasible. It might also have excluded firms with novel approaches.
How will the findings of this $22.4M evaluation directly translate into actionable improvements or cost efficiencies for the home visiting program, ensuring a positive return on investment for taxpaye
The evaluation's findings must be translated into concrete recommendations for program enhancement, resource allocation, and policy adjustments. This requires clear communication channels between the evaluators and program administrators. A positive ROI for taxpayers would be realized if the evaluation leads to demonstrable improvements in program outcomes, increased efficiency, or the redirection of funds from less effective components to more impactful ones.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 16 E 34TH ST FL 19, NEW YORK, NY, 10016
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,660,030
Exercised Options: $22,448,354
Current Obligation: $22,448,354
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSP23320095644WC
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-09-29
Current End Date: 2016-11-23
Potential End Date: 2016-11-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-04-18
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