HHS's $119M Gallup Contract for School Safety Knowledge Transfer: A 7-Year Effort

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,947,469 ($11.9M)

Contractor: Gallup, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2002-09-15

End Date: 2009-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,450 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SAFE SCHOOLS/HEALTHY STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE APPLICATION AND TRANSFER PROJECT (KAT)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $11.9 million to GALLUP, INC. for work described as: SAFE SCHOOLS/HEALTHY STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE APPLICATION AND TRANSFER PROJECT (KAT) Key points: 1. The contract aimed to apply and transfer knowledge for the Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative. 2. Gallup, Inc. was the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The project spanned 7 years, indicating a long-term investment in knowledge dissemination. 4. The Public Relations Agencies sector (NAICS 541820) is relevant to the contract's nature.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type was Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. Without specific cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar knowledge transfer projects, assessing value is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This was a sole-source award, meaning there was no open competition. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a significant contract value raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible value.

Public Impact

Impact on school safety and mental health programs through knowledge application. Potential for improved student well-being and reduced risk factors. Long-term benefits of disseminated research and best practices in education and health sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Cost Plus Award Fee contract type can incentivize higher spending.
Long contract duration (7 years) requires sustained oversight.

Positive Signals

Focus on critical areas of school safety and mental health.
Potential for significant positive impact on student populations.
Award to a known entity (Gallup) may suggest specific expertise.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically related to public relations and knowledge management. Benchmarks for similar long-term, sole-source knowledge transfer projects are scarce, making direct comparison challenging.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source contract, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is delivering on objectives and costs are reasonable. Accountability for knowledge transfer effectiveness is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Public Relations Agencies
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Cost Plus Award Fee structure
Potential for cost overruns
Difficulty in measuring true impact and effectiveness
Limited small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $11.9 million to GALLUP, INC.. SAFE SCHOOLS/HEALTHY STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE APPLICATION AND TRANSFER PROJECT (KAT)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GALLUP, 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 $11.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-09-15. End: 2009-05-31.

What specific deliverables and outcomes were expected from Gallup, Inc. under this contract, and how were they measured to ensure value for money?

The contract aimed at knowledge application and transfer for the Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative. Specific deliverables likely included reports, best practice guides, and dissemination strategies. Measuring value would involve assessing the reach and impact of this transferred knowledge on improving school safety and mental health outcomes across participating districts.

Given the sole-source nature, what justification was provided for not seeking competitive bids, and what risks were associated with this approach?

Justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or urgent needs. Risks include potentially paying a higher price than in a competitive environment, lack of innovative solutions that might emerge from competition, and reduced transparency in the procurement process. This approach limits the government's ability to ensure it's getting the best possible deal.

How effective was the knowledge transfer process in actually improving school safety and mental health practices, and what evidence supports this effectiveness?

Effectiveness would be gauged by the adoption and implementation of the transferred knowledge in schools and communities. Evidence could include case studies, surveys of educators and students, and data showing improvements in safety incidents or mental health support. Without specific reporting on these metrics, the true effectiveness remains difficult to ascertain.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Public Relations Agencies

Product/Service Code: PHOTO, MAP, PRINT, PUBLICATION › PHOTOGR, MAPPING, PRINTING, PUBLISH

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 301 S 68TH STREET PL, LINCOLN, NE, 01

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $190,072

Exercised Options: $4,757,701

Current Obligation: $11,947,469

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 280990200

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline