HHS awards $45.3M task order for scientific and technical services to Research Triangle Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,304,548 ($45.3M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2008-08-29

End Date: 2013-08-28

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: OTHER (NONE OF THE ABOVE)

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER CONTRACT AWARD - BASE YEAR AND FOUR (4) OPTION YEARS

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $45.3 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: TASK ORDER CONTRACT AWARD - BASE YEAR AND FOUR (4) OPTION YEARS Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 5 years (1825 days) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The NAICS code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. 4. The award was made by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 5. The contract was awarded as a 'Task Order Contract Award,' implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. The contractor, Research Triangle Institute, is a well-established research organization. 7. The contract was awarded on August 29, 2008, and ends August 28, 2013.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging without knowing the scope of work and comparing it to similar task orders under the same IDIQ or other government contracts for similar services. The total award amount of $45.3 million over five years averages to approximately $9.06 million per year. This figure needs to be assessed against the specific deliverables and the complexity of the scientific and technical services provided. Without more granular data on the services rendered and their market rates, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bidders (no) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific task order. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. However, the specific nature of the services required might limit the pool of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and potentially the public through the scientific and technical services provided in areas related to substance abuse and mental health. The services delivered are broadly categorized as 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' suggesting support for research, analysis, or program development within SAMHSA's mission. The geographic impact is likely national, given SAMHSA's scope, although specific project locations would depend on the task order's details. Workforce implications could include employment opportunities for scientists, researchers, analysts, and technical staff at Research Triangle Institute and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the scope of work makes it difficult to assess the true value for money.
The broad nature of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single task order award without comparative data makes it hard to gauge if the pricing was optimal.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent process.
The contractor, Research Triangle Institute, is a reputable organization with a track record in research.
The 5-year duration suggests a stable, long-term partnership for critical services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of activities from research and development to consulting and data analysis. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting various agency missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific scientific and technical disciplines involved, such as public health research, data analytics, or program evaluation, which are core to SAMHSA's work.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans or performance related to small businesses within this award notice. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is not detailed, though larger prime contractors are often encouraged or required to have small business subcontracting goals on other contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and delivery schedules outlined in the task order. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, which provide basic information on the award. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on whether the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) has specific oversight responsibilities for the programs supported by this contract.

Related Government Programs

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
Mental Health Services Block Grant
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Grants
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Contracts

Risk Flags

Broad Scope of Work
Potential for Scope Creep
Limited Competition Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $45.3 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. TASK ORDER CONTRACT AWARD - BASE YEAR AND FOUR (4) OPTION YEARS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

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 $45.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-08-29. End: 2013-08-28.

What was the specific scope of work for this task order awarded to Research Triangle Institute?

The provided data indicates the task order falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' and was awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). However, the specific scope of work is not detailed in the provided information. Typically, such task orders support agency functions like research, data analysis, program evaluation, technical assistance, or policy development related to substance abuse and mental health. Without the detailed statement of work, it's impossible to ascertain the precise services rendered, the methodologies employed, or the specific research questions addressed.

How does the $45.3 million award compare to other similar contracts for scientific and technical services within HHS?

Comparing this $45.3 million award over five years (averaging $9.06 million annually) to other HHS contracts requires access to a broader dataset of similar task orders or prime contracts within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services category. HHS agencies, including SAMHSA, NIH, and CDC, frequently award large contracts for research and technical support. The value of this contract appears substantial but is not necessarily an outlier given the scale of federal health research and program support. A definitive comparison would necessitate analyzing contract vehicles, scope of work, and duration across multiple HHS entities and contract types.

What is Research Triangle Institute's track record with federal contracts, particularly with HHS?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is a well-established non-profit research institute with extensive experience performing work for federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). RTI has a long history of conducting research, program evaluations, and providing technical assistance in areas such as public health, education, and social and economic policy. Their track record generally includes successful completion of complex, large-scale projects for agencies like NIH, CDC, and SAMHSA. The award of this $45.3 million task order suggests continued confidence from SAMHSA in RTI's capabilities to deliver scientific and technical services.

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

Contracts under broad NAICS codes like 541990 carry inherent risks, primarily related to scope definition and management. There's a risk of 'scope creep,' where the work expands beyond the original intent without adequate adjustments to cost or schedule. It can also be challenging to ensure that the contractor possesses highly specialized expertise if the services are too general. Furthermore, measuring performance and ensuring value for money can be more complex compared to contracts with clearly defined, specialized deliverables. Effective oversight and clear communication between the government and contractor are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How has federal spending on 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' trended over the past decade?

Federal spending on 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) has generally seen an upward trend over the past decade, reflecting the government's increasing reliance on external expertise for a wide array of specialized tasks. This category often captures services that don't fit neatly into more specific professional service categories, such as scientific research support, specialized data analysis, and technical consulting. Factors contributing to this trend include the complexity of modern challenges, the need for agile support, and the government's strategy to leverage private sector and non-profit capabilities. Specific year-over-year fluctuations can be influenced by budget appropriations, agency priorities, and economic conditions.

What is the significance of this contract being a 'Task Order Contract Award'?

A 'Task Order Contract Award' signifies that this specific contract is a task order issued under a broader Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, or a similar type of multiple-award contract. IDIQ contracts allow agencies to procure a range of supplies or services over a set period, with specific quantities and delivery times defined by individual task orders. This approach provides flexibility for the agency to order services as needed. The significance is that this $45.3 million represents a portion of a potentially larger contract vehicle, and the competition and oversight might be structured differently than for a standalone, fixed-price contract.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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: 3040 CORNWALLIS ROAD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,544,548

Exercised Options: $45,304,548

Current Obligation: $45,304,548

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSS283200700002I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline