HHS awards $9.9M for violence prevention technical assistance to American Institutes for Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,895,775 ($9.9M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2018-09-24
End Date: 2024-06-01
Contract Duration: 2,077 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF VIOLENCE PREVENTION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20007
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $9.9 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF VIOLENCE PREVENTION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract's duration of over 2000 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government. 4. The services fall under administrative management and general management consulting, a broad category. 5. The awardee, American Institutes for Research, is a known entity in behavioral sciences. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger vehicle.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount of $9.9 million over approximately 5.7 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for technical assistance in public health or violence prevention would provide a clearer picture of value. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process is a positive indicator.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With 6 bidders participating, the competition level appears healthy, which typically drives better pricing and service offerings. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market has sufficient capacity and interest in providing these specialized consulting services.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process like this generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and ensuring the government receives services at a reasonable market rate.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely public health organizations and community groups receiving technical assistance to implement violence prevention strategies. Services delivered include consulting and administrative support aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of violence prevention programs. The contract's geographic impact is primarily focused on the District of Columbia, where the awardee is located, but the services may extend nationally. Workforce implications could include support for public health professionals and researchers involved in violence prevention initiatives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep given the long duration and consulting nature of the services.
- Ensuring consistent quality and impact of technical assistance across the contract's lifespan.
- Measuring the tangible outcomes and effectiveness of the violence prevention strategies supported.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
- Firm fixed-price contract type provides budget predictability.
- The awardee has a background in behavioral sciences, relevant to violence prevention.
- Long-term contract suggests sustained government need and commitment to the program area.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The market for public health consulting and technical assistance is substantial, driven by federal, state, and local government initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts awarded by agencies like the CDC or NIH for similar program support and research services.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses would likely be through direct subcontracting if initiated by the prime contractor.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- Public Health Technical Assistance
- Violence Prevention Programs
- Management and Consulting Services
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of cost overruns or scope creep if not managed tightly.
- Effectiveness of technical assistance can be difficult to quantify and measure directly.
- Reliance on a single awardee for a significant period requires strong performance monitoring.
Tags
hhs, cdc, consulting, technical-assistance, violence-prevention, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, district-of-columbia, administrative-management, behavioral-sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $9.9 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. IGF::OT::IGF VIOLENCE PREVENTION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-09-24. End: 2024-06-01.
What is the specific nature of the technical assistance provided under this contract?
The contract, identified by NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services), suggests the technical assistance likely involves expert advice, strategic planning, program development, and implementation support related to violence prevention initiatives. This could encompass areas such as data analysis, best practice dissemination, capacity building for community organizations, and policy recommendations. The awardee's background in behavioral sciences further indicates a focus on evidence-based approaches and understanding the underlying factors contributing to violence.
How does the $9.9 million award compare to typical spending on similar violence prevention technical assistance contracts?
A direct comparison requires access to a broader dataset of similar contracts. However, $9.9 million over nearly six years translates to an average annual spend of approximately $1.7 million. This figure is moderate for a federal contract supporting a critical public health issue. Larger, multi-year initiatives or those involving extensive research and development might command higher figures. Conversely, smaller, project-specific grants or consultations could be significantly less. The value is contingent on the scope and impact of the services delivered.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from American Institutes for Research?
Specific KPIs and deliverables are not detailed in the provided summary data. Typically, for technical assistance contracts, deliverables might include reports on best practices, strategic plans for prevention programs, training materials, evaluation frameworks, and progress reports on technical support provided to grantees or stakeholders. Performance would likely be assessed based on the quality, timeliness, and utility of these deliverables, as well as the effectiveness of the technical support in enhancing the recipient's violence prevention efforts.
What is the track record of American Institutes for Research in securing and performing on federal contracts, particularly in public health?
American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a well-established research organization with a significant history of working with federal agencies, including HHS and CDC. They have a strong reputation in behavioral and social sciences research, education, and health. Their portfolio often includes contracts related to public health program evaluation, technical assistance, and policy analysis. While specific performance details for this contract are not public, AIR's general track record suggests they are a capable and experienced contractor for complex federal projects in this domain.
What is the historical spending trend for violence prevention technical assistance by the CDC or HHS?
Analyzing historical spending trends requires access to detailed federal procurement data over multiple fiscal years. However, it is generally understood that federal investment in public health initiatives, including violence prevention, fluctuates based on administration priorities, congressional appropriations, and emerging public health challenges. The CDC, as the lead agency for disease prevention and control, consistently allocates funds towards research, surveillance, and program implementation, which would encompass technical assistance for areas like violence prevention. This $9.9M award represents a specific investment within that broader context.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 75D30118Q69446
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1400 CRYSTAL DR FL 10, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202
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: $11,683,204
Exercised Options: $10,207,985
Current Obligation: $9,895,775
Actual Outlays: $3,749,701
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $599,401
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F347CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-09-24
Current End Date: 2024-06-01
Potential End Date: 2024-06-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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