HHS awards $303.8M contract for National Survey on Drug Use and Health, ending 2024
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $303,786,037 ($303.8M)
Contractor: Research Triangle Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2016-12-15
End Date: 2024-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,846 days
Daily Burn Rate: $106.7K/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 - REF. NO. 283-17-0491, "2018-2022 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 $303.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - REF. NO. 283-17-0491, "2018-2022 NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH (NSDUH)" Key points: 1. Contract value of $303.8 million over its period of performance. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk appears moderate given the established nature of the survey and contract type. 4. Sector is Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, specifically data collection and analysis.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $303.8 million for a definitive contract ending in 2024 suggests a significant, long-term data collection effort. Pricing is likely assessed against historical costs for similar large-scale surveys and the complexity of the NSDUH.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, allowing all eligible sources to submit proposals. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds spent on this important national survey.
Public Impact
Supports critical national data on drug use and health trends. Informs public health policy and resource allocation. Provides a consistent benchmark for tracking changes over time. Research Triangle Institute has a long history with this survey. Contract duration extends through September 2024.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in data collection or analysis requirements.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a long duration may reduce future competitive pressure.
- Data accuracy and representativeness are critical and require ongoing monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Established survey with a clear methodology.
- Full and open competition ensures a robust selection process.
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract incentivizes performance.
- Long-term data collection provides valuable trend analysis.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically focusing on survey research and data analysis. Benchmarks for similar large-scale, multi-year federal surveys would typically involve multi-million dollar values and extensive data collection methodologies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved as the prime contractor, as the award was made to Research Triangle Institute. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) suggests performance incentives are tied to achieving specific objectives. Oversight would likely involve monitoring data quality, adherence to survey protocols, and timely reporting by SAMHSA.
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
- Contract duration is lengthy (approx. 8 years).
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires careful performance monitoring.
- Potential for data integrity issues in large-scale surveys.
- Reliance on a single entity for critical national data.
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 $303.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::OT::IGF - REF. NO. 283-17-0491, "2018-2022 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 $303.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-12-15. End: 2024-09-30.
What is the historical cost trend for the NSDUH survey and how does this award compare?
Historical cost data for the NSDUH survey would be necessary for a precise comparison. However, a $303.8 million award over approximately 8 years suggests an average annual cost of around $38 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against previous contract periods and inflation to assess if it represents value for money, considering the survey's scope and methodology.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this Cost Plus Award Fee contract and how are they measured?
The specific KPIs for this Cost Plus Award Fee contract are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for a survey contract, KPIs would include data accuracy rates, response rates, adherence to sampling methodologies, timeliness of data collection and reporting, and overall data quality. The 'Award Fee' component implies that the contractor's performance against these KPIs would be evaluated, potentially leading to incentive payments above the base cost.
How does the full and open competition process for this contract ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent vendor lock-in?
Full and open competition allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, fostering a competitive environment that typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. This process helps ensure the government secures the best value by selecting the offer that best meets technical and cost requirements. It also mitigates the risk of vendor lock-in by providing opportunities for new vendors to enter the market and demonstrate their capabilities.
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: RFP#283160491
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3040 E 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: $309,011,214
Exercised Options: $303,786,037
Current Obligation: $303,786,037
Actual Outlays: $80,209,445
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 99
Total Subaward Amount: $53,930,730
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-12-15
Current End Date: 2024-09-30
Potential End Date: 2024-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-11-03
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