HHS awards $2.5M for Bioinformatics Support to ASRT, Inc. through a sole-source contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,489,472 ($2.5M)
Contractor: Asrt, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2022-08-18
End Date: 2027-08-17
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: BIOINFORMATICS SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30329
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.5 million to ASRT, INC. for work described as: BIOINFORMATICS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ASRT, Inc. for bioinformatics support. 2. The contract has a total value of $2,489,471.69. 3. Awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 4. The contract is for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 5. Contract duration is 5 years, ending August 17, 2027.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Pricing information is not readily available for this contract, making a direct comparison difficult. The contract type is 'LABOR HOURS', which can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This method may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award raises concerns about potential overspending and the efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The CDC's reliance on a single vendor for bioinformatics support could pose a risk if the vendor fails to perform. Lack of transparency in pricing due to sole-source award hinders public scrutiny.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for higher costs without competitive bidding.
- Lack of publicly available pricing data.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical CDC bioinformatics needs.
- Long-term contract provides stability for services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically bioinformatics. Spending in this sector can vary widely depending on the complexity and duration of the services required.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The award was made to ASRT, Inc.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the CDC is receiving fair value for the services provided and that the justification for sole-sourcing remains valid.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on pricing
- No small business participation indicated
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-health-and-human-services, ga, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.5 million to ASRT, INC.. BIOINFORMATICS SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASRT, 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 $2.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-08-18. End: 2027-08-17.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', which typically implies a sole-source justification. However, the specific reasons, such as unique capabilities of the vendor or urgent need, are not detailed. Further investigation into the contract file would be required to understand the precise rationale behind bypassing competitive procedures.
How does the cost of this contract compare to similar bioinformatics support services obtained through competitive means?
Without access to detailed pricing structures and benchmarks for comparable sole-source contracts, it is difficult to definitively assess cost-effectiveness. The 'LABOR HOURS' contract type, coupled with the lack of competition, suggests a potential risk of inflated costs compared to what might be achieved in a competitive environment. A thorough cost analysis would be needed.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) in place to ensure the effectiveness of the bioinformatics support provided by ASRT, Inc.?
The provided data does not specify the KPIs or SLAs associated with this contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined metrics to measure the quality, timeliness, and impact of the bioinformatics support. These would be crucial for ensuring the CDC receives the intended value and that the vendor meets performance expectations throughout the contract term.
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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 75D301-22-R-72212
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4158 ONSLOW PL SE, SMYRNA, GA, 30080
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,178,641
Exercised Options: $2,489,472
Current Obligation: $2,489,472
Actual Outlays: $1,653,774
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-08-18
Current End Date: 2027-08-17
Potential End Date: 2027-08-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-06
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