HHS Awards $10.7M Contract to ASCELLON CORPORATION for Public Health Program Administration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,746,911 ($10.7M)
Contractor: Ascellon Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2003-09-15
End Date: 2008-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,903 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Place of Performance
Location: HYATTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20785
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.7 million to ASCELLON CORPORATION for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ASCELLON CORPORATION for $10.7 million. 2. The contract supports the Administration of Public Health Programs. 3. This award falls under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 4. The contract duration is approximately 1903 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award amount of $10.7 million over nearly five years suggests a moderate investment for public health program administration.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair market prices, though the specific pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) requires diligent oversight.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for the administration of public health programs, aiming for efficient program delivery and management.
Public Impact
Ensures continued administration of vital public health programs. Supports the operational needs of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Potential for improved public health outcomes through effective program management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Long contract duration may require performance reviews and adjustments.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical public health administration functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader administrative and support services sector for government agencies. Benchmarks for similar public health program administration contracts would typically focus on cost-effectiveness and program delivery efficiency.
Small Business Impact
There is no specific indication of small business participation in this award data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract necessitates robust oversight from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure costs are reasonable and fixed fees are justified throughout the contract's lifecycle.
Related Government Programs
- Administration of Public Health Programs
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
- Long contract duration may present challenges in adapting to evolving program needs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- Limited insight into the competitive landscape beyond 'full and open'.
Tags
administration-of-public-health-programs, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.7 million to ASCELLON CORPORATION. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASCELLON CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-15. End: 2008-11-30.
What specific public health programs are being administered under this contract, and what are the key performance indicators for success?
The provided data does not specify the exact public health programs. However, the contract's purpose is the 'Administration of Public Health Programs' under HHS. Success would likely be measured by program efficiency, adherence to public health goals, timely execution of administrative tasks, and stakeholder satisfaction, requiring detailed performance work statements and regular reviews.
How does the fixed fee component of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract compare to industry standards for similar administrative services?
Determining if the fixed fee is competitive requires benchmarking against similar contracts for public health program administration. Factors like contract complexity, duration, and the specific services rendered by ASCELLON CORPORATION would influence this comparison. Without more detailed service scope and fee structure, a precise assessment is difficult.
What measures are in place to ensure cost control and prevent potential overruns given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure?
Effective oversight is crucial. This includes regular audits of costs incurred, clear definitions of allowable expenses, and rigorous review of the fixed fee justification. The agency must actively monitor contractor performance and expenditures to ensure the government receives value for money and that costs remain within reasonable bounds.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Public Administration › Administration of Human Resource Programs › Administration of Public Health Programs
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 8201 CORP DR STE 30, LANDOVER, MD, 04
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,407,531
Exercised Options: $13,154,062
Current Obligation: $10,746,911
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-15
Current End Date: 2008-11-30
Potential End Date: 2008-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-10-22
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