HHS awards $28.6M for National Survey of Early Care and Education to National Opinion Research Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,648,366 ($28.6M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2010-09-27

End Date: 2015-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,828 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAS::75 1515::TAS NATIONAL SURVEY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60637, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $28.6 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: TAS::75 1515::TAS NATIONAL SURVEY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION Key points: 1. The contract value of $28.6 million is significant for administrative management consulting services. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a specific justification for vendor selection. 3. The contract duration of 1828 days indicates a long-term project with potential for evolving requirements. 4. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $28.6 million for administrative management consulting services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale survey and research contracts would be necessary to definitively assess its value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a specific reason for limiting the pool of potential bidders. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a limited competition method could result in taxpayers paying more than if a broader range of vendors had been allowed to bid.

Public Impact

Impacts the Department of Health and Human Services' ability to gather critical data on early care and education. The National Opinion Research Center, as the contractor, will be responsible for significant data collection and analysis. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a sustained government need for this type of research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential lack of cost-effectiveness.
Cost-plus fixed fee contracts can incentivize spending.
Long contract duration may not reflect current market conditions.

Positive Signals

Award to a known entity (National Opinion Research Center) suggests established capability.
Clear project scope for a national survey indicates a defined government objective.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Spending in this sector can vary widely depending on the scope and duration of the project, with large-scale research initiatives like this representing a significant investment.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's duration and value warrant oversight to ensure efficient use of funds and adherence to project goals. Monitoring the 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure is 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

Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
Cost-plus fixed fee pricing can incentivize overspending.
Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep or outdated methodologies.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $28.6 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. TAS::75 1515::TAS NATIONAL SURVEY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

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 $28.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-27. End: 2015-09-29.

What was the specific justification for excluding other sources in the full and open competition?

The justification for excluding other sources needs to be clearly documented and publicly available. Typically, such exclusions are based on unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling needs that only a specific vendor can meet. Without this information, it's difficult to assess if the limited competition was truly warranted or if it potentially stifled better pricing.

How does the 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' structure compare to other pricing models for similar large-scale surveys in terms of cost control?

Cost-plus fixed fee contracts can be challenging to manage for cost control as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This can incentivize higher spending if not rigorously monitored. For large surveys, fixed-price or performance-based contracts might offer better incentives for efficiency, though they require very well-defined scopes upfront. Benchmarking against similar contracts using different pricing structures would be informative.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the data collected under this long-term contract?

Given the 1828-day duration, robust quality assurance and control mechanisms are essential. This includes regular performance reviews, independent verification of data collection and analysis methods, and clear deliverables tied to specific milestones. The agency should have a dedicated team to oversee the contractor's performance and ensure the survey's integrity and the resulting data's accuracy and utility.

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) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60637

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,295,467

Exercised Options: $28,648,366

Current Obligation: $28,648,366

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSP23320095647WC

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline