HHS Awards $35M for Immunization Gateway O&M to Audacious Inquiry LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,146,206 ($35.1M)

Contractor: Audacious Inquiry LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-09-07

End Date: 2026-09-06

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IMMUNIZATION GATEWAY OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M)

Place of Performance

Location: CATONSVILLE, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21228

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $35.1 million to AUDACIOUS INQUIRY LLC for work described as: IMMUNIZATION GATEWAY OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical immunization data infrastructure. 2. Audacious Inquiry LLC is the sole awardee. 3. Potential for increased costs due to Time and Materials pricing. 4. IT sector spending on data management services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure, with a ceiling of $35.15M, presents a risk of cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar IT O&M contracts is difficult without detailed labor rates and hours.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific award type (Delivery Order) and pricing model (Time and Materials) warrant scrutiny to ensure price reasonableness.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential public health IT infrastructure. The Time and Materials pricing model requires diligent oversight to prevent excessive spending.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of the Immunization Gateway, vital for public health data. Supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) mission. Potential impact on data security and integrity if O&M is not adequately performed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing
No small business participation noted

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Supports critical public health infrastructure

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically focusing on computer facilities management services. Spending on IT operations and maintenance for federal agencies is substantial, with significant variation based on system complexity and criticality.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates no small business participation. This suggests that the prime contractor, Audacious Inquiry LLC, is not subcontracting to small businesses for this award, potentially missing opportunities to support smaller enterprises.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to manage the Time and Materials contract effectively, ensuring that labor hours and rates are reasonable and that the work performed aligns with the contract's objectives for the Immunization Gateway.

Related Government Programs

Computer Facilities Management Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of small business participation.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT operations.
Need for stringent oversight on labor hours and rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $35.1 million to AUDACIOUS INQUIRY LLC. IMMUNIZATION GATEWAY OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AUDACIOUS INQUIRY LLC.

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 $35.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-07. End: 2026-09-06.

What is the projected breakdown of labor categories and hours anticipated under this Time and Materials contract to ensure fair pricing?

A detailed breakdown of anticipated labor categories and estimated hours is essential for effective oversight of this Time and Materials contract. Without this, it's challenging to benchmark against industry standards or assess the reasonableness of invoiced costs. The agency should require regular reporting on labor utilization to ensure alignment with project needs and prevent potential cost creep.

How will the CDC ensure the security and integrity of sensitive immunization data given the O&M nature of this contract?

The CDC must implement robust security protocols and performance standards within the contract's Statement of Work. This includes regular audits, adherence to data handling regulations (like HIPAA), and clear incident response plans. The contractor's personnel must undergo background checks, and access controls should be strictly enforced to safeguard the sensitive immunization data managed by the gateway.

What is the long-term strategy for the Immunization Gateway's IT infrastructure beyond this current O&M contract?

Understanding the long-term strategy is vital for assessing the ongoing value and potential future investments in the Immunization Gateway. Is the current system slated for modernization, replacement, or continued maintenance? This context helps determine if the current O&M spending aligns with a sustainable technological roadmap and avoids investing in potentially obsolete infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management 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: 75D301-21-Q-73451

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5523 RESEARCH PARK DR, CATONSVILLE, MD, 21228

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,169,467

Exercised Options: $35,146,206

Current Obligation: $35,146,206

Actual Outlays: $30,621,950

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0147V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline