HHS awards $8.8M contract for HR consulting services to GCA Partners LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,812,363 ($8.8M)

Contractor: GCA Partners LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-02-15

End Date: 2027-02-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO ISSUE TASK ORDER 75A5050226F80001

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $8.8 million to GCA PARTNERS LLC for work described as: TO ISSUE TASK ORDER 75A5050226F80001 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration is one year, with a potential for renewal. 3. Services are classified under Human Resources Consulting, indicating a focus on organizational support. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The award is a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle. 6. The contractor, GCA Partners LLC, is a new awardee for this specific task order. 7. The contract is not set aside for small businesses. 8. The primary place of performance is Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $8.8 million contract for Human Resources Consulting Services is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and performance metrics. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, often carries a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed diligently. Comparing this to similar HR consulting contracts within HHS or other agencies would require access to a broader dataset of awarded task orders and their specific deliverables. The provided data does not offer enough detail to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive or if the value proposition is excellent.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which indicates that the initial solicitation was broad, but specific sources may have been excluded later in the process, or it could refer to a specific type of competitive procedure. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. The fact that it was competed broadly is a positive sign for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it allows multiple vendors to bid, driving down costs through competitive pressure and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), who will receive human resources consulting services. These services are expected to support the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the agency's human capital management. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the place of performance is located. The contract may have implications for the federal workforce by potentially influencing HR policies, procedures, and support structures.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored and managed.
Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and value for money.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the scope of competition.
The contractor, GCA Partners LLC, may be a relatively new entity or have limited past performance data available for this specific type of service.
The contract duration of one year, while standard, limits long-term strategic planning for HR initiatives.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating a robust and fair bidding process.
The presence of multiple bidders (4) suggests a healthy level of market interest and potential for competitive pricing.
The award is a delivery order under a broader contract vehicle, which can streamline the acquisition process.
The contract is managed by a specific office within HHS (ASPR), suggesting focused oversight.
The contract has a defined end date, providing a clear timeframe for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The federal government frequently procures Human Resources Consulting Services to support its vast workforce and complex organizational needs. This sector includes a wide range of services from strategic HR planning and talent management to compensation analysis and employee relations. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms, from large consultancies to specialized small businesses, vying for government contracts. This particular contract fits within the broader professional services category, often awarded through vehicles like GSA Schedules or specific agency IDIQs. Benchmarking requires comparing the scope and duration against similar HR consulting task orders issued across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by `ss: false` and `sb: false`. This means that the competition was open to all eligible offerors, including large businesses. Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting requirements for small businesses mandated by a set-aside provision within this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral in terms of direct set-aside benefits, though large prime contractors may still engage small businesses as subcontractors if it aligns with their business strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), which issued the task order. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which publish award details. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) generally has oversight over HHS spending.

Related Government Programs

Human Resources Management Services
Professional and Management Consulting Services
Staff Augmentation Services
Organizational Development Consulting
Federal Workforce Planning

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Ambiguity in 'exclusion of sources' clause may limit competition.
Lack of detailed service scope makes value assessment difficult.
Limited public information on contractor's specific past performance for this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $8.8 million to GCA PARTNERS LLC. TO ISSUE TASK ORDER 75A5050226F80001

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GCA PARTNERS LLC.

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 $8.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-15. End: 2027-02-14.

What is the specific nature of the Human Resources Consulting Services required under this task order?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Human Resources Consulting Services' under NAICS code 541612. However, the specific nature of these services is not detailed. Typically, such services can encompass a broad range of HR functions, including strategic workforce planning, talent acquisition and retention strategies, compensation and benefits analysis, performance management system development, employee relations, HR policy development and implementation, and organizational design. Without further documentation, such as a Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), the precise deliverables and objectives remain undefined. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to fully assess the contract's value and performance.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to industry standards for similar HR consulting services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are common for services where the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset or is expected to evolve. For HR consulting, T&M can be used for projects like policy development or system implementation where the effort required is variable. However, T&M contracts carry a higher risk for the government compared to fixed-price contracts, as costs can escalate if not managed closely. Industry standards often favor fixed-price or cost-plus-fixed-fee structures for well-defined projects to ensure cost certainty. The government's ability to control costs under a T&M contract heavily relies on robust oversight, detailed labor category rates, and strict monitoring of hours expended.

What is the track record of GCA Partners LLC in delivering similar HR consulting services to the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of GCA Partners LLC for delivering Human Resources Consulting Services under NAICS 541612 is not detailed in the provided data. As this is a task order award, GCA Partners LLC may have existing contracts or past performance references that were evaluated during the bidding process for the parent contract vehicle. However, without access to their full contract history or performance evaluations, it is difficult to assess their experience level, past performance quality, and reliability in this specific service area. Further investigation into federal procurement databases would be necessary to ascertain their relevant experience.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' contract type?

The contract type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' is somewhat ambiguous and requires clarification. Typically, 'full and open competition' means all responsible sources are permitted to submit an offer. The 'after exclusion of sources' phrase could imply that after an initial broad solicitation, certain sources were deemed ineligible or removed from consideration based on specific criteria, or it might refer to a specific procurement method where exclusions are permissible under certain conditions. The primary risk is that the exclusion of potential sources, if not justified and properly documented, could limit competition, potentially leading to higher prices or less optimal solutions for the government. It is crucial to understand the rationale behind any exclusions to ensure fair competition.

How does the $8.8 million award amount compare to historical spending on HR consulting services by HHS or ASPR?

Comparing the $8.8 million award amount for this specific task order to historical spending requires access to comprehensive historical data for HR consulting services procured by HHS and its sub-agencies like ASPR. Without this broader context, it's difficult to determine if this award represents a significant increase or decrease in spending for similar services. Federal spending on HR consulting can fluctuate based on agency needs, budget allocations, and the initiation of new programs or reforms. A detailed analysis would involve examining annual spending trends, the number and value of similar contracts awarded over several fiscal years, and the specific drivers of HR consulting demand within the agency.

What performance metrics or KPIs are likely to be used to evaluate the success of this HR consulting contract?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not provided in the summary data, typical performance metrics for HR consulting services often include factors such as the timeliness of deliverables, the quality and accuracy of recommendations, the effectiveness of implemented solutions in achieving stated objectives (e.g., improved employee retention, streamlined HR processes), client satisfaction, and adherence to budget and schedule. For a Time and Materials contract, monitoring the efficient use of labor hours and ensuring that the work performed directly contributes to the contract's goals are critical. The Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) would normally detail these specific metrics and evaluation criteria.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 75A50226R00001

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1995 N PARK PL SE STE 415, ATLANTA, GA, 30339

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,309,643

Exercised Options: $8,812,363

Current Obligation: $8,812,363

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRCA25DSA46

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline