HHS ONC contract for publisher support awarded to A+ Government Solutions, LLC for over $32M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,242,612 ($32.2M)

Contractor: A+ Government Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-08-31

End Date: 2025-08-30

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ONC) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INITIATIVES SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $32.2 million to A+ GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ONC) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INITIATIVES SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of executive director initiatives support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and adherence to delivery schedules. 4. This contract supports health information technology policy and coordination efforts. 5. The contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on information dissemination and support. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating a focus on larger prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $32.2 million over five years for executive director initiatives support appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative and publisher support within federal agencies is challenging without more specific service details. However, the duration of the contract (1825 days) suggests a consistent need for these services, and the total value aligns with typical multi-year IT support contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With 8 bidders participating, this suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this one helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovative solutions from contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), which receives essential support for its executive director initiatives. Services delivered likely include publishing, content management, communication support, and administrative assistance to facilitate the ONC's mission. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the agency is located, but the information disseminated may have a national reach. Workforce implications include the direct employment of individuals by A+ Government Solutions, LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'executive director initiatives' is not clearly delineated.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical publisher support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring timely delivery of high-quality published materials is crucial for effective communication.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Contract duration of five years suggests stability and a long-term commitment to supporting ONC's mission.
The contractor, A+ Government Solutions, LLC, has secured a significant federal contract, indicating a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on support services for government agencies. The market for IT support and publishing services for federal entities is substantial, with numerous companies vying for these contracts. The ONC's role in advancing health information technology means that contracts like this are critical for disseminating information, developing policies, and coordinating efforts within the healthcare IT landscape. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT professional services and administrative support categories for federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best overall solution through open competition, potentially favoring larger, more established prime contractors. The absence of explicit small business provisions means that the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract may be limited unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and specifically the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Accountability measures would be embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases like FPDS-NG, where basic contract information is publicly available. The Inspector General for HHS would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

HHS ONC Health IT Policy and Strategy Support
Federal Publishing and Information Dissemination Services
IT Professional Services for Government Agencies
Executive Support Services for Federal Departments

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust oversight to ensure contractor performance meets expectations.
Clarity of 'executive director initiatives' scope is critical for effective execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $32.2 million to A+ GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ONC) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INITIATIVES SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A+ GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-31. End: 2025-08-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'executive director initiatives' supported by this contract?

The 'executive director initiatives' supported by this contract likely encompass a range of strategic projects, policy development efforts, and operational enhancements spearheaded by the Executive Director of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). This could include activities related to advancing interoperability, promoting health IT adoption, responding to legislative mandates, or developing new programs. The 'publisher' aspect suggests a strong focus on creating, managing, and disseminating information, reports, guidance documents, and other communication materials crucial for these initiatives. Without more granular detail from the contract statement of work, the precise scope remains broad but centers on supporting the ONC's leadership-driven agenda through communication and project execution.

How does the awarded price of $32.2 million compare to similar contracts for publisher and executive support services within the federal government?

Directly comparing the $32.2 million price tag to similar federal contracts requires detailed analysis of the scope of work, duration, and specific services rendered. However, for a five-year contract supporting executive initiatives and publishing for a key agency like the ONC, this amount appears within a reasonable range, especially considering the specialized nature of health IT policy. Contracts for IT professional services, administrative support, and content management for federal agencies can often reach tens of millions of dollars over similar periods. Factors such as the number of personnel required, the complexity of the subject matter, and the level of security or compliance needed would influence the final price. Benchmarking would ideally involve looking at contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and service descriptions.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the performance of A+ Government Solutions, LLC under this contract?

While the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided data, federal contracts of this nature typically include metrics focused on the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of the services delivered. For a publisher support contract, KPIs might include adherence to publication deadlines, accuracy and clarity of published materials, successful dissemination of information to target audiences, responsiveness to requests, and overall client satisfaction. Performance would likely be assessed through regular progress reports, client feedback, and potentially audits of deliverables. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual remedies, including financial penalties or termination.

What is the track record of A+ Government Solutions, LLC in performing similar federal contracts, particularly within the health IT or publishing sectors?

A+ Government Solutions, LLC's track record in performing similar federal contracts is a critical factor in assessing the risk associated with this award. Information on their past performance, including previous contracts with HHS, ONC, or other agencies requiring publishing and executive support services, would be essential. Federal agencies typically review a contractor's past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) during the source selection process. A history of successful contract completion, positive client feedback, and adherence to schedule and budget would indicate a lower risk. Conversely, a history of performance issues or disputes could raise concerns about their ability to meet the requirements of this new contract.

How does the 'Time and Materials' contract type potentially impact cost control and value for the government?

The 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type, used for this award, allows the government to pay the contractor for the direct labor hours at specified fixed hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. While T&M contracts offer flexibility, especially when the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset, they can pose challenges for cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the total cost is not predetermined, meaning the final expenditure can fluctuate based on the effort expended. For the government, effective oversight is crucial to ensure that labor hours are reasonable and necessary, and that material costs are fair and substantiated. This contract type places a greater burden on the government to monitor contractor performance and manage the scope to prevent cost overruns and ensure value for money.

What is the strategic importance of this contract to the ONC's mission and the broader goals of advancing health information technology in the U.S.?

This contract is strategically important as it provides essential support for the ONC's executive leadership and their initiatives aimed at shaping the future of health information technology. The ONC plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing national policies and standards for electronic health records (EHRs), health data interoperability, and health IT adoption. By supporting the Executive Director's initiatives and ensuring effective communication through publishing services, this contract directly contributes to the ONC's ability to execute its mission. This, in turn, impacts the broader goals of improving healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency through the effective use of health IT across the United States.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › All Other Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2121 15TH ST N, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,597,367

Exercised Options: $32,242,612

Current Obligation: $32,242,612

Actual Outlays: $32,242,612

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $119,698

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0565T

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline