HHS awards $220M contract for National Survey on Drug Use and Health to Research Triangle Institute
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $220,052,680 ($220.1M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2013-01-14
End Date: 2019-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,450 days
Daily Burn Rate: $89.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF 2014-2017 NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH (NSDUH)
Place of Performance
Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $220.1 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF 2014-2017 NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH (NSDUH) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract spans over 6 years, suggesting a long-term need for these services. 3. The primary contractor, Research Triangle Institute, is a well-established research organization. 4. The NAICS code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $220M over 6 years averages approximately $36.7M annually. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale survey contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but it appears to be within a reasonable range for a national survey of this scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential government functions like national health surveys.
Public Impact
Provides critical data for understanding drug use and mental health trends in the US. Informs public health policy and resource allocation for substance abuse and mental health services. Supports evidence-based interventions and research into addiction and mental illness. Data collected is vital for tracking the impact of public health initiatives. Ensures continuity of a key national data collection effort.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is long (6 years).
- Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but requires careful oversight.
- Broad service category (541990) might obscure specific cost drivers.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Contractor has a strong track record in research.
- Essential government function supported.
Sector Analysis
The sector involves professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically focused on social science research and data collection. Spending in this area supports critical government functions like public health monitoring and policy development.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific subcontracting with small businesses. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small business participation was a requirement or occurred.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure performance targets are met and costs are reasonable. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is responsible for monitoring contractor performance and expenditures.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may limit flexibility.
- Cost Plus Award Fee requires strong oversight.
- Broad service category could obscure cost efficiencies.
- Lack of explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-health-and-human-services, nc, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $220.1 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::OT::IGF 2014-2017 NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH (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 $220.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-01-14. End: 2019-09-30.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to other large-scale national surveys conducted by federal agencies?
Without specific details on the scope and methodology of other national surveys, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the approximate annual cost of $36.7M for the NSDUH contract appears substantial, reflecting the complexity and reach of a national survey. Further analysis would require benchmarking against surveys with similar sample sizes, data collection methods, and analytical requirements.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the 'Award Fee' component of this contract, and how are they measured?
The 'Award Fee' component suggests that contractor performance is evaluated against specific, pre-defined criteria. These KPIs likely relate to data quality, survey completion rates, timeliness of reporting, and adherence to methodological standards. The agency's oversight team would be responsible for assessing performance against these metrics to determine the award fee amount.
What is the potential impact of the long contract duration (6 years) on the adaptability of the survey methodology to evolving research needs or technological advancements?
A six-year contract duration provides stability for a large-scale survey like NSDUH. However, it also presents a risk of methodological inertia. The contract should include provisions for periodic reviews and potential adjustments to methodology to incorporate new research questions, improve data collection techniques, or adapt to technological changes in survey research.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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
Solicitation ID: 283120389
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: $241,057,628
Exercised Options: $220,052,680
Current Obligation: $220,052,680
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 152
Total Subaward Amount: $130,171,455
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-01-14
Current End Date: 2019-09-30
Potential End Date: 2019-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-02-01
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