HHS awards $52.8M contract to MITRE for COVID-19 plasma engagement and analytics support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $52,774,970 ($52.8M)

Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2020-09-01

End Date: 2021-08-29

Contract Duration: 362 days

Daily Burn Rate: $145.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND ANALYTICS SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 CONVALESCENT PLASMA

Place of Performance

Location: MC LEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $52.8 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND ANALYTICS SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 CONVALESCENT PLASMA Key points: 1. Contract focuses on strategic engagement, education, and outreach for COVID-19 convalescent plasma. 2. Analysis includes data analytics to support program effectiveness. 3. MITRE Corporation, a non-profit, is the sole awardee. 4. Contract duration is approximately one year. 5. The award type is a Delivery Order under an existing contract. 6. The contract utilizes a Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $52.8 million for one year of support appears reasonable given the scope of strategic engagement, education, outreach, and analytics for a critical public health initiative like COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public health communication and data analysis contracts would provide further context. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure value for money. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the award to a reputable entity like MITRE suggests a focus on expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was initiated. This approach is generally favored for ensuring fair pricing and access to a wide range of capabilities. The fact that it resulted in a Delivery Order under an existing contract implies that the initial competition for the broader contract vehicle was robust.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and can result in more favorable pricing for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best terms.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are public health officials and healthcare providers who will receive educational materials and strategic guidance. The services delivered aim to improve the understanding and utilization of COVID-19 convalescent plasma. The geographic impact is national, supporting federal efforts to combat the pandemic. Workforce implications include the engagement of subject matter experts in public health, communications, and data analytics.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the dynamic nature of public health crises.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical strategic support could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring effective cost control under the CPFF structure will be crucial.

Positive Signals

Award to MITRE Corporation, a well-respected non-profit organization known for its technical expertise and objective analysis.
Focus on data analytics suggests a commitment to evidence-based strategies.
Contract duration of approximately one year allows for focused support during a critical phase of the pandemic.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. The market for public health consulting and analytics support is significant, particularly during health emergencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for strategic communication, public health program support, and data analytics services, especially those related to pandemic response efforts.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-asides were not utilized for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). As this is a Delivery Order under a potentially larger contract vehicle, the initial competition for that vehicle would have determined small business participation opportunities. For this specific order, there is no indication of direct subcontracting requirements for small businesses, though MITRE may engage small businesses as part of its overall project execution.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring are essential to ensure that costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. Transparency would be facilitated through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potential reviews by HHS program officials and potentially the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) if any concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

COVID-19 Public Health Response
Convalescent Plasma Program Support
Public Health Communication Campaigns
Health Data Analytics Services
Strategic Planning and Advisory Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Effectiveness of outreach and education dependent on evolving public health guidance.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical strategic functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $52.8 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND ANALYTICS SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 CONVALESCENT PLASMA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $52.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-01. End: 2021-08-29.

What is MITRE Corporation's track record with HHS and similar public health initiatives?

The MITRE Corporation has a long-standing relationship with various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They operate federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and are known for providing objective analysis, systems engineering, and research support across a wide range of domains, including healthcare and public health. Their work often involves complex problem-solving, strategic planning, and technology integration. For public health initiatives, MITRE has been involved in areas such as health IT, emergency preparedness, and healthcare policy analysis. Their extensive experience suggests a strong capability to handle the strategic engagement, education, outreach, and analytics support required for the COVID-19 convalescent plasma program. Specific past performance details would typically be available in contract award databases or through agency performance evaluations.

How does the $52.8 million award compare to similar federal contracts for public health outreach and analytics?

Comparing the $52.8 million award requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific services. For a one-year engagement focused on strategic outreach, education, and data analytics for a critical national health initiative like COVID-19 convalescent plasma, this figure appears within a reasonable range for a large, complex project. Federal contracts for large-scale public health campaigns, emergency response support, and data analysis can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the agency, the duration, and the level of expertise required. For instance, contracts related to vaccine outreach, pandemic modeling, or large-scale health information dissemination often involve significant funding. The award to MITRE, a non-profit FFRDC, suggests a focus on high-level strategic and analytical support rather than mass media advertising, which might influence the cost structure.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could necessitate rapid shifts in strategy and outreach efforts, potentially leading to scope creep. Another risk is ensuring effective cost control under the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Performance risk is also present, as the success of the program hinges on MITRE's ability to deliver high-quality strategic guidance, educational materials, and accurate data analysis. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by HHS, including clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and diligent oversight of expenditures. The selection of MITRE, known for its expertise, also serves as a mitigation factor for performance risk. Clear communication channels and defined change control processes would help manage scope creep.

How effective is the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure for this type of public health support?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset or when there is a high degree of uncertainty, which is common in rapidly evolving situations like a pandemic. This structure allows the government to reimburse the contractor for all allowable costs incurred while performing the work, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing the contractor's profit. For a contract involving strategic engagement, education, and analytics support for COVID-19 convalescent plasma, CPFF offers flexibility to adapt to changing public health guidance and scientific understanding. However, it places a greater emphasis on government oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and directly related to the contract's objectives. The fixed fee provides the contractor with an incentive to control costs, as any savings beyond the negotiated cost ceiling do not increase their fee.

What historical spending patterns exist for similar strategic support services within HHS or ASPR?

Historical spending patterns for strategic support services within HHS, particularly the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), often show significant investment during public health emergencies. ASPR's mission includes preparing for and responding to public health threats, which frequently involves contracts for strategic planning, communication, data analysis, and program management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, spending in these areas surged across various agencies. Contracts for public health communication campaigns, epidemiological analysis, and coordination of medical countermeasures have historically commanded substantial funding. While specific historical data for 'strategic engagement, education, outreach, and analytics support for COVID-19 convalescent plasma' prior to this award is limited, ASPR has previously funded initiatives related to pandemic preparedness, vaccine distribution, and therapeutic development, often through similar service contracts.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

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: $53,360,336

Exercised Options: $52,774,970

Current Obligation: $52,774,970

Actual Outlays: $52,292,152

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75FCMC18D0047

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline