HHS awarded $77.2M for clinical technical assistance, with JBS International Inc. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $77,215,411 ($77.2M)

Contractor: JBS International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2008-08-21

End Date: 2015-01-06

Contract Duration: 2,329 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: OTHER (NONE OF THE ABOVE)

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CLINICAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMRFTOP NO. 270-08-0256REFERENCE NO. 283-07-0302

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $77.2 million to JBS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: CLINICAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMRFTOP NO. 270-08-0256REFERENCE NO. 283-07-0302 Key points: 1. The contract value of $77.2 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in technical assistance. 2. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code indicates a broad scope of work, potentially encompassing diverse expertise. 3. The contract duration of approximately 6.4 years (2329 days) allows for sustained support and program development. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 5. The contract was awarded to JBS International, Inc., a single entity, suggesting specialized capabilities or a competitive win. 6. The contract's geographic scope is Maryland (ST: MD), indicating a focused regional impact for the services provided.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $77.2 million for clinical technical assistance over nearly 6.5 years averages to approximately $11.9 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale technical assistance contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the total award amount suggests a substantial commitment. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and outcomes against industry standards for technical assistance programs in the substance abuse and mental health sector.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bidders (NO: 3) suggests a moderate level of competition for this contract. While not a large number, it indicates that multiple firms were interested and capable of performing the required services, which generally aids in price discovery and achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition with multiple bidders generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better quality services compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely organizations and individuals receiving services related to substance abuse and mental health, through improved technical assistance provided to program implementers. The services delivered are broadly categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' with a specific focus on clinical technical assistance for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The geographic impact is specified as Maryland (ST: MD), suggesting that the direct application or oversight of this technical assistance may be concentrated within that state. The contract supports the workforce involved in delivering substance abuse and mental health services by providing them with enhanced guidance, training, and resources.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The broad NAICS code (541990) could lead to scope creep if not clearly defined and managed.
The long contract duration might present challenges in adapting to evolving best practices in clinical technical assistance without clear modification clauses.
Reliance on a single contractor (JBS International, Inc.) for a significant award means performance issues could have a substantial impact.

Positive Signals

The award under full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing structure and a thorough vetting of the contractor's capabilities.
The contract's focus on clinical technical assistance directly supports critical public health initiatives within SAMHSA.
The sustained funding over a multi-year period allows for the development of deep expertise and long-term program improvements.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on health-related technical assistance. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized services. The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific nature of the clinical technical assistance provided, such as training, program evaluation, or policy development within the mental health and substance abuse domain.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (SB: false) and there is no indication of a small business subcontracting goal (SS: false). This suggests that the primary focus of this contract was not on engaging small businesses directly or indirectly through subcontracting. Therefore, the impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grants
Public Health Technical Assistance Programs
Clinical Support Services
Federal Health IT Initiatives

Risk Flags

Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service details.
Contract duration could lead to outdated methodologies if not managed.
Single awardee means performance issues could have significant impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $77.2 million to JBS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. CLINICAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMRFTOP NO. 270-08-0256REFERENCE NO. 283-07-0302

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JBS INTERNATIONAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $77.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-08-21. End: 2015-01-06.

What specific types of clinical technical assistance were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'CLINICAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM' under RFTOP NO. 270-08-0256. However, the specific nature of the technical assistance is not detailed. Typically, clinical technical assistance in the context of SAMHSA could encompass a wide range of activities, including evidence-based practice implementation support, program development and evaluation, workforce training, data collection and reporting guidance, and policy interpretation for healthcare providers and organizations. Without access to the detailed Statement of Work (SOW) or task orders, the precise services remain unspecified, but they are aimed at improving the delivery of substance abuse and mental health services.

How does the $77.2 million contract value compare to other technical assistance contracts within HHS?

The $77.2 million award for clinical technical assistance represents a significant investment. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against similar large-scale technical assistance contracts awarded by HHS agencies, particularly SAMHSA, over comparable timeframes. Contracts for broad technical support, program management, or research dissemination in public health can range widely. A $77.2 million contract over approximately 6.4 years suggests an average annual value of roughly $11.9 million. This figure is substantial and likely places it among the larger technical assistance awards, indicating a critical need or a broad scope of services required by SAMHSA.

What is the track record of JBS International, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

JBS International, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, particularly within the health and human services domain. While the provided data confirms they were awarded this $77.2 million contract, a comprehensive assessment of their track record would require examining their past performance on similar contracts, including their success in delivering technical assistance, meeting performance metrics, and managing budgets. Information on past performance, including any past performance evaluations or awards/debarments, would typically be available through federal procurement databases and agency performance records. Their ability to win a full and open competition suggests they met the qualifications required.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this 'CLINICAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM' contract are not detailed in the provided summary data. Typically, for technical assistance contracts, KPIs would be established within the Statement of Work (SOW) and could include measures such as the number of organizations or individuals trained, the adoption rate of new clinical practices, improvements in client outcomes reported by assisted programs, satisfaction surveys from technical assistance recipients, or the timely delivery of reports and guidance documents. The contracting agency (SAMHSA) would have defined these metrics to ensure the effectiveness and value of the services provided by JBS International, Inc.

How has spending on clinical technical assistance by SAMHSA evolved over time?

The provided data pertains to a single contract awarded in 2008. To understand the evolution of SAMHSA's spending on clinical technical assistance, a broader analysis of historical contract and grant data would be necessary. This would involve examining spending trends over multiple fiscal years, identifying shifts in priorities, and noting any increases or decreases in funding allocated to technical assistance programs. Factors such as changes in public health needs, legislative mandates, and administration priorities would influence these spending patterns. This specific $77.2 million contract represents a snapshot of spending during its performance period.

What are the potential risks associated with a broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contract?

Contracts falling under the broad NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' carry inherent risks primarily related to scope definition and management. Without a highly specific and detailed Statement of Work (SOW), there's a risk of scope creep, where the contractor undertakes tasks beyond the original intent, potentially leading to cost overruns or delays. It can also be challenging to accurately benchmark performance and value when the services are not clearly defined. Effective oversight, clear communication, and robust contract management are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the contractor delivers the intended services within budget and on schedule.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 283071000

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: OTHER (NONE OF THE ABOVE) (3)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8630 FENTON ST STE 1200, SILVER SPRING, MD, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $77,215,411

Exercised Options: $77,215,411

Current Obligation: $77,215,411

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSS283200700003I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline