HHS awards $19.3M contract to Fathers Incorporated for National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,347,760 ($19.3M)

Contractor: Fathers Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO AWARD THE NATIONAL RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD CLEARINGHOUSE (NRFC).

Place of Performance

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

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $19.3 million to FATHERS INCORPORATED for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO AWARD THE NATIONAL RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD CLEARINGHOUSE (NRFC). Key points: 1. Contract aims to establish and operate the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse. 2. Services include program development, outreach, and resource dissemination. 3. Performance period spans three years, indicating a medium-term commitment. 4. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting broad market engagement. 5. Fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government. 6. The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse supports initiatives promoting responsible fatherhood.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $19.3 million over three years for operating a national clearinghouse appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for program management and information dissemination suggests this is within expected cost ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, although it places cost risk on the contractor. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the scope of services aligns with the awarded amount.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested parties had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive process is expected to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive offers. This approach generally leads to better value and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to obtain the best possible price and service for the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse.

Public Impact

Fathers Incorporated will benefit by receiving a significant contract to manage a national program. The contract will deliver services related to promoting responsible fatherhood across the nation. The geographic impact is national, aiming to reach fathers and families throughout the United States. Workforce implications include potential job creation within Fathers Incorporated and its subcontractors for program management, outreach, and administrative roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a national program requires robust oversight to ensure consistent service delivery.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Contract duration of three years allows for program stability and impact.
The contractor, Fathers Incorporated, likely has relevant experience in fatherhood initiatives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on program management and public outreach for social services. The market for such services is diverse, encompassing non-profit organizations, think tanks, and specialized consulting firms. Federal spending in this area supports government initiatives aimed at improving social outcomes, with contracts often awarded through competitive processes to organizations demonstrating expertise in program delivery and stakeholder engagement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor is likely a larger entity or a non-profit organization. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but larger federal contracts often include provisions for small business participation. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the competition was open to all qualified offerors, and the selection was based on the best overall value, not solely on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Standard oversight mechanisms would include regular performance reviews, financial audits, and adherence to reporting requirements outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting of federal spending. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would be that of HHS.

Related Government Programs

Responsible Fatherhood Initiatives
Family Support Programs
Social Services Administration
Public Information Dissemination

Risk Flags

Contractor performance risk
Programmatic relevance and impact
Data security and privacy (if handling sensitive information)
Effective stakeholder engagement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $19.3 million to FATHERS INCORPORATED. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO AWARD THE NATIONAL RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD CLEARINGHOUSE (NRFC).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FATHERS INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Administration for Children and Families).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific experience of Fathers Incorporated in managing large-scale federal programs?

Fathers Incorporated is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible fatherhood. While specific details on their prior federal contract management experience are not provided in this data, their mission and focus suggest they possess relevant expertise in program development, outreach, and resource dissemination related to fatherhood initiatives. A deeper dive into their past performance, including previous government contracts or grants, would be necessary to fully assess their track record. This would involve reviewing their financial stability, past performance evaluations, and any history of contract compliance or disputes.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar federal contracts for national clearinghouse operations?

The awarded amount of $19.3 million over three years for the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse is a significant sum, reflecting the scope of national program management and outreach. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it to contracts for similar functions, such as operating other national information clearinghouses or managing large-scale social program support services. Factors like the number of target beneficiaries, the complexity of services offered, and the duration of the contract are crucial for a fair comparison. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a premium or a discount, but the firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope and budget.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for a National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, KPIs would likely focus on metrics such as the reach of outreach efforts (e.g., number of fathers engaged, website traffic, resource downloads), the quality and accessibility of information provided, the development and dissemination of program materials, and potentially the impact on fatherhood engagement or family well-being in supported communities. Success measurement would involve regular reporting by the contractor against these agreed-upon KPIs, subject to government review and evaluation.

What is the historical spending pattern for the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse or similar initiatives?

Historical spending data for the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) itself is not provided. However, federal spending on fatherhood initiatives and related social support programs can fluctuate based on administration priorities and congressional appropriations. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has historically funded various programs aimed at supporting families and children, including those focused on father involvement. To understand historical patterns, one would need to analyze ACF's budget allocations and contract awards for similar services over previous fiscal years. This would reveal trends in funding levels and the types of organizations contracted.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor, Fathers Incorporated, or the nature of the services?

Potential risks associated with this contract could include the contractor's capacity to manage a national program effectively, ensuring consistent service delivery across diverse geographic areas, and maintaining program relevance and impact over the contract period. Given the focus on fatherhood, there might be sensitivities around program messaging and outreach strategies. Risks related to the contractor specifically would involve assessing their financial stability, past performance on similar contracts, and their ability to meet reporting and compliance requirements. The firm fixed-price nature also places cost overrun risk on the contractor.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 75ACF123R00002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2394 MOUNT VERNON RD, ATLANTA, GA, 30338

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,347,760

Exercised Options: $19,347,760

Current Obligation: $19,347,760

Actual Outlays: $13,514,285

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline