CPSC awards $714K contract for NEISS evaluation and training visits to CAM Business Consulting Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $71,410 ($71.4K)

Contractor: CAM Business Consulting Corp

Awarding Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission

Start Date: 2023-08-14

End Date: 2026-09-25

Contract Duration: 1,138 days

Daily Burn Rate: $63/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEISS EVALUATION AND TRAINING VISITS: NEW CONTRACT (CAM CONSULTING - PREVIOUS CONTRACT 61320618D0005)

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Consumer Product Safety Commission obligated $71,410 to CAM BUSINESS CONSULTING CORP for work described as: NEISS EVALUATION AND TRAINING VISITS: NEW CONTRACT (CAM CONSULTING - PREVIOUS CONTRACT 61320618D0005) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential NEISS evaluation and training, crucial for consumer safety data. 2. CAM Business Consulting Corp, the incumbent, brings prior experience to this follow-on contract. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, indicating defined scope and cost certainty. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on efficiency for smaller dollar amounts. 5. The contract duration of over three years allows for sustained support and program continuity. 6. Geographic scope is limited to Maryland, potentially impacting broader national training reach.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $714,100 for approximately three years of service appears reasonable for specialized evaluation and training. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program evaluation and technical services suggests this falls within a typical range. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost control for the agency. However, without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for contracts under the federal micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages competition. This method aims to balance the need for competition with administrative efficiency for smaller procurements.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment, even for smaller contract values, potentially leading to better pricing and service.

Public Impact

Consumers benefit from improved data collection and analysis through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) receives enhanced evaluation and training services to support its mission. Services are primarily delivered within Maryland, impacting local CPSC operations and personnel. The contract supports specialized professional services, potentially involving a small team of consultants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited geographic scope to Maryland may restrict broader national training dissemination.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes assessing effectiveness challenging.
Follow-on nature of the contract could imply less aggressive price negotiation compared to a new entrant.

Positive Signals

Incumbent contractor (CAM Business Consulting Corp) brings existing knowledge and reduces transition risk.
Firm-fixed-price award provides cost certainty for the agency.
Awarded under SAP promotes competition and efficiency for this contract size.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. The market for such services is competitive, with many firms offering expertise in program evaluation, training, and consulting. The CPSC's spending in this area is likely part of its broader efforts to ensure product safety through data analysis and system improvement.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large businesses were eligible to compete. There is no information available regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business participation is mandated or voluntary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) contracting officer and program officials. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and agency policies. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS)
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Operations
Program Evaluation Services
Technical Training Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited geographic scope
Lack of detailed performance metrics
Potential for contractor cost overruns in FFP contract if scope is not well-defined

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded $71,410 to CAM BUSINESS CONSULTING CORP. NEISS EVALUATION AND TRAINING VISITS: NEW CONTRACT (CAM CONSULTING - PREVIOUS CONTRACT 61320618D0005)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAM BUSINESS CONSULTING CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission (Consumer Product Safety Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $71,410.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-14. End: 2026-09-25.

What is the specific scope of work for NEISS evaluation and training visits under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for the NEISS evaluation and training visits. However, based on the contract's purpose and the nature of NEISS, the work likely involves assessing the effectiveness of data collection methods, evaluating the training provided to data collectors, identifying areas for improvement in the NEISS system, and potentially developing or delivering new training modules. This could include site visits to hospitals or data collection points, interviews with personnel, and analysis of existing data protocols to ensure accuracy and completeness of consumer injury data reported to the CPSC.

How does CAM Business Consulting Corp's performance on the previous contract (61320618D0005) inform the assessment of this new award?

The fact that CAM Business Consulting Corp is the incumbent contractor for this follow-on award suggests satisfactory performance on their previous contract (61320618D0005). Agencies often prefer to re-award to known entities that have demonstrated capability and understanding of the program requirements, which can reduce transition costs and risks. While specific performance metrics from the prior contract are not detailed here, the re-selection implies that the CPSC found their services to be valuable and effective. This continuity can be a positive indicator, though it also means less opportunity for new vendors to bring potentially innovative approaches or more competitive pricing.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for these services?

Firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts, while offering cost certainty to the government, can introduce risks for the contractor. If the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen challenges arise during the evaluation and training visits, the contractor may incur costs exceeding the contract value, potentially impacting their profitability and willingness to bid on future similar contracts. For the government, the primary risk with FFP is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs beyond the agreed-upon price, although this is mitigated by the defined scope. Ensuring a clear and comprehensive Statement of Work (SOW) is crucial to manage these risks effectively for both parties.

How does the contract's duration of 1138 days (approx. 3.1 years) impact program continuity and potential cost savings?

A contract duration of approximately 3.1 years provides significant program continuity for the NEISS evaluation and training activities. This extended period allows the contractor to develop a deep understanding of the system and its operational nuances, leading to more effective and consistent evaluations and training. From a cost perspective, longer-term contracts can sometimes lead to better pricing due to economies of scale and reduced administrative burden associated with frequent re-procurement. It also allows the CPSC to plan its resources more predictably over the contract period, avoiding the potential disruptions and costs associated with shorter, more frequent contract cycles.

What is the historical spending pattern for NEISS evaluation and training services by the CPSC?

The provided data indicates this is a new contract award of $714,100. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to examine prior contracts for similar NEISS evaluation and training services. The mention of 'PREVIOUS CONTRACT 61320618D0005' suggests a preceding contract held by the same vendor. Analyzing the value, duration, and competition of that previous contract, as well as any other related procurements by the CPSC for NEISS support, would be necessary to establish a historical spending trend. Without access to that specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 92 NORTH RD, EASTCHESTER, NY, 10709

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $170,680

Exercised Options: $71,410

Current Obligation: $71,410

Actual Outlays: $61,546

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline