HHS awards $20.5M to ABT Global for HPOG impact studies, raising value concerns
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,249,908 ($20.2M)
Contractor: ABT Global LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2011-09-28
End Date: 2018-05-31
Contract Duration: 2,437 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IMPACT STUDIES OF THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (HPOG)
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $20.2 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC for work described as: IMPACT STUDIES OF THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (HPOG) Key points: 1. Contract value of $20.5M for impact studies. 2. ABT Global LLC is the contractor. 3. Competition was full and open. 4. The sector is administrative management consulting.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $20.5M for impact studies needs further justification. Benchmarking against similar studies is difficult without more detailed scope information.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can sometimes lead to less price discipline.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for research and evaluation, aiming to inform future program effectiveness.
Public Impact
Provides insights into the effectiveness of the Health Professions Opportunity Grants (HPOG) program. Supports evidence-based policymaking for workforce development in healthcare. Results can influence future funding and program design.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may not incentivize cost efficiency.
- Limited information on specific deliverables and success metrics.
- Contract duration is substantial for a study.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition was utilized.
- Focus on program evaluation can lead to improved public services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Spending in this sector can vary widely depending on the complexity and scope of the services required.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for oversight. The effectiveness of oversight depends on the clarity of contract requirements and performance monitoring.
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 cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Lack of detailed scope of work for value assessment.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20.2 million to ABT GLOBAL LLC. IMPACT STUDIES OF THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (HPOG)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ABT GLOBAL LLC.
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 $20.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-09-28. End: 2018-05-31.
What specific methodologies and deliverables are included in the $20.5M scope of work for these impact studies?
The provided data does not detail the specific methodologies or deliverables. A comprehensive scope of work would outline the research design, data collection methods, analysis techniques, and expected outputs such as reports, presentations, and policy briefs. Understanding these specifics is crucial for assessing the value for money.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure align with achieving cost-effective outcomes for these impact studies?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts reimburse the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. While it allows for flexibility, it may not strongly incentivize cost control compared to fixed-price contracts. For impact studies, the focus is often on quality and thoroughness, but careful monitoring is needed to ensure costs remain reasonable.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the independence and objectivity of the impact study findings?
Ensuring independence and objectivity typically involves clear contract language requiring unbiased research, potentially independent review panels, and transparent data reporting. The government's oversight role is critical in verifying that the contractor adheres to ethical research standards and avoids conflicts of interest throughout the study.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 55 WHEELER STREET, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,991,043
Exercised Options: $20,249,908
Current Obligation: $20,249,908
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSP23320095624WC
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-09-28
Current End Date: 2018-05-31
Potential End Date: 2018-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-01-31
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