HHS awards $117.9M for scientific consulting, with a $64.6M benchmark
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $117,931,396 ($117.9M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2010-09-30
End Date: 2015-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $64.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TAS::75 1362::TAS NSDUH
Place of Performance
Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $117.9 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: TAS::75 1362::TAS NSDUH Key points: 1. Contract value is substantial at $117.9 million. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk appears moderate given the contract type and duration. 4. The sector is scientific and technical consulting services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $117.9 million is significant. The benchmark of $64.6 million suggests this contract may be priced above average for similar services, warranting further investigation into the scope and deliverables.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the final award amount relative to the benchmark needs scrutiny to ensure taxpayer value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayer value, but the final price should be compared against the benchmark to ensure efficiency.
Public Impact
Public health research supported by these services. Potential impact on substance abuse and mental health initiatives. Long-term contract duration may indicate ongoing program needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration of 5 years.
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition.
- Clear agency and task area (NSDUH).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services sector. Spending in this area is often driven by research, data collection, and analysis needs for government programs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through contract performance reviews and financial monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Award amount significantly exceeds the provided benchmark.
- Long contract duration (5 years) increases exposure to changing needs or market conditions.
- Lack of specific small business participation noted.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-health-and-human-services, nc, dca, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $117.9 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. TAS::75 1362::TAS NSDUH
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 $117.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-09-30. End: 2015-09-29.
What specific deliverables were expected under this contract, and how did they justify the final award amount compared to the benchmark?
The contract supported the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a critical data collection and analysis effort. The award amount likely reflects the extensive scope of this survey, including data collection, processing, analysis, and reporting over a five-year period. Justification would involve detailed cost breakdowns for personnel, data management, and research expertise required for such a large-scale public health initiative.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Cost Plus Award Fee structure, and how were they measured to determine award fees?
Key performance indicators for a contract like this would likely focus on data quality, timeliness of reporting, survey response rates, and adherence to methodological standards. Award fees would be determined by the contractor's performance against these pre-defined metrics, with higher fees awarded for exceeding expectations and lower or no fees for meeting or failing to meet targets. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure objective assessment.
How did the full and open competition process ensure the most cost-effective solution for the government, given the contract's significant value?
Full and open competition allows any qualified vendor to bid, fostering a competitive environment that theoretically drives down prices. The government would have evaluated proposals based on both technical merit and cost. The benchmark of $64.6 million suggests that while competition occurred, the final award was substantially higher, indicating a need to understand if the higher cost was justified by superior technical capabilities or if there were opportunities for better price negotiation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $118,453,506
Exercised Options: $117,931,396
Current Obligation: $117,931,396
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 16
Total Subaward Amount: $59,764,430
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-09-30
Current End Date: 2015-09-29
Potential End Date: 2015-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-05-15
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