NCEZID Entry Screening Services contract awarded to Caduceus Healthcare Inc. for over $33.9 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,902,321 ($33.9M)

Contractor: Caduceus Healthcare Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2020-04-30

End Date: 2021-01-07

Contract Duration: 252 days

Daily Burn Rate: $134.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NCEZID ENTRY SCREENING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30303

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $33.9 million to CADUCEUS HEALTHCARE INC for work described as: NCEZID ENTRY SCREENING SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $33.9 million for temporary health services indicates a significant investment in public health infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are assessed to understand pricing efficiency and potential for cost savings. 3. Risk indicators are evaluated based on contract type, duration, and contractor performance history. 4. Performance context is established by comparing this award to similar public health screening contracts. 5. The sector positioning of this contract is within the broader healthcare services industry, specifically focusing on public health and emergency preparedness. 6. The contract's duration of 252 days suggests a focused, short-term need for services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $33.9 million for approximately 8 months of service appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar temporary health services contracts is challenging without more granular data on the specific services rendered and the number of personnel provided. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure can sometimes lead to higher costs if not closely managed, but it also offers flexibility for evolving needs. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the pricing is competitive for the scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it was a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle implies a pre-established competitive process for the base contract. However, the number of bidders for this specific delivery order is not provided, which limits the assessment of the intensity of competition and its impact on price discovery for this particular award.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of bids, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and better value for money.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the public, through enhanced entry screening services. The services delivered are temporary help services, crucial for public health initiatives and potentially for managing public health emergencies. The geographic impact is not specified but likely relates to points of entry or specific operational locations for the CDC. Workforce implications include the provision of temporary staff to support critical public health functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure if not rigorously monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical screening services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The short duration of the contract may indicate a reactive or short-term need, potentially masking longer-term systemic requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract supports critical public health functions of the CDC.
The contractor, Caduceus Healthcare Inc., is providing essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader healthcare services sector, specifically focusing on temporary staffing and public health support. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized staffing solutions. The value of this contract, over $33.9 million, is significant and reflects the critical nature of public health screening, especially during periods of heightened health concerns. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government contracts for emergency response, public health support, and temporary medical staffing.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The focus was likely on obtaining the most qualified vendor through open competition, regardless of business size.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a delivery order, it falls under the purview of the base contract's oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Public Health Services
Temporary Staffing Contracts
Emergency Preparedness Contracts
Disease Surveillance and Control

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Short contract duration may indicate a reactive need rather than strategic planning.
Limited information on specific services and performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $33.9 million to CADUCEUS HEALTHCARE INC. NCEZID ENTRY SCREENING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CADUCEUS HEALTHCARE INC.

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 $33.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-04-30. End: 2021-01-07.

What specific entry screening services were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'NCEZID ENTRY SCREENING SERVICES' and falls under the 'Temporary Help Services' category (NAICS 561320). While the exact nature of the screening is not detailed, it is reasonable to infer that these services were related to public health screening at points of entry, potentially for infectious diseases or other health-related threats, supporting the mission of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) within the CDC. The services likely involved personnel to conduct screenings, collect data, and potentially implement initial response protocols as directed by the CDC.

How does the $33.9 million contract value compare to similar public health screening contracts?

Direct comparison of the $33.9 million contract value for NCEZID Entry Screening Services is difficult without more specific data on the scope, duration, and personnel involved in comparable contracts. However, the value suggests a significant operational requirement. Public health screening contracts can vary widely based on the scale of operations (e.g., number of ports of entry, duration of screening), the type of screening (e.g., temperature checks, symptom questionnaires, sample collection), and the level of personnel required (e.g., basic screeners vs. medical professionals). A contract of this magnitude likely supported a substantial, potentially nationwide or high-traffic port-of-entry, screening effort over its duration.

What are the primary risks associated with a 'Time and Materials' contract for screening services?

The primary risk with a 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract, like the one awarded to Caduceus Healthcare Inc., is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or higher labor hours if the government's oversight and monitoring are insufficient. For screening services, risks include inflated labor hours, unnecessary material purchases, and a lack of contractor incentive to improve efficiency, potentially leading to a higher overall cost to the taxpayer compared to a well-defined fixed-price contract.

What is the track record of Caduceus Healthcare Inc. in providing similar public health services?

The provided data does not include specific details on Caduceus Healthcare Inc.'s track record. However, as a recipient of a $33.9 million federal contract for NCEZID Entry Screening Services, it implies the company possesses the necessary qualifications and capabilities to perform such work. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would require reviewing past performance evaluations, other federal contracts awarded to the company, and any documented issues or successes in delivering similar health or staffing services. Federal procurement systems often contain past performance information that can be consulted for a deeper understanding.

How does the contract duration of 252 days impact the assessment of value for money?

The contract duration of 252 days (approximately 8 months) suggests a focused, potentially short-term or surge requirement for entry screening services. For a duration of this length, the value for money is assessed by comparing the total cost ($33.9 million) against the achieved public health outcomes and the efficiency of service delivery. If the screening services were critical for a specific event, outbreak response, or temporary policy implementation, the value is tied to the effectiveness in mitigating health risks during that period. However, if this represents an ongoing need, a longer-term, potentially more cost-effective contract structure might have been considered, or the T&M nature of this contract needs close management to ensure efficiency over the 8-month period.

What does the 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) status imply about the competition and pricing?

A 'Delivery Order' status indicates that this contract was issued under a pre-existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or similar multiple-award contract vehicle. The initial competition and selection of awardees for the base IDIQ contract would have occurred previously. For this specific delivery order, the competition might have been limited to the awardees of the base contract, or it could have been competed among a subset of those awardees, depending on the terms of the base contract. The pricing for the delivery order is typically based on the pre-negotiated rates within the base contract, which were established during the initial full and open competition for the IDIQ. This structure aims to streamline procurement for recurring needs while leveraging initial competitive pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help 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: 75D30120Q71704

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 57 FORSYTH ST 2ND FL, ATLANTA, GA, 30303

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,902,321

Exercised Options: $33,902,321

Current Obligation: $33,902,321

Actual Outlays: $23,041,563

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: V797D30199

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline