HHS awards $4.5M contract for fellowship capacity building to Strategic Innovative Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,505,905 ($4.5M)

Contractor: Strategic Innovative Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-09-12

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,206 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PHEM FELLOWSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30329

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $4.5 million to STRATEGIC INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: PHEM FELLOWSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative and management consulting services for fellowship programs. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of over 3 years indicates a need for sustained support. 4. Performance is in Georgia, potentially impacting the local workforce and economy. 5. The use of Time and Materials pricing may require close monitoring to control costs. 6. This contract supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's mission.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.5 million over approximately three years for administrative management and general management consulting services appears to be within a reasonable range for such support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for fellowship capacity building or administrative support within federal agencies would provide a more precise assessment of value. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common, can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently, which warrants attention in assessing overall value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and multiple responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This method generally promotes a competitive environment, allowing for price discovery and potentially leading to better value for the government. The fact that it was not a sole-source or limited competition award suggests that a sufficient number of interested and capable vendors participated.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and ensures that the government explores a wide range of potential solutions and providers.

Public Impact

Fellowship participants and program administrators within the CDC will benefit from enhanced capacity building support. Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting. The geographic impact is primarily in Georgia, where the contract is being performed. Potential workforce implications include support for administrative roles and consulting expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost escalation if not closely monitored.
The specific deliverables and performance metrics need to be clearly defined to ensure accountability.
Reliance on a single contractor for capacity building may limit exposure to diverse approaches over time.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The contract duration suggests a commitment to sustained program improvement.
Strategic Innovative Solutions LLC is selected, implying they met the government's requirements.

Sector Analysis

The federal sector for administrative management and general management consulting services is substantial, encompassing a wide range of support functions across various agencies. This contract falls within the professional services category, which is a significant area of federal procurement. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar consulting services can vary widely based on scope, duration, and the specific expertise required. The CDC's investment in fellowship capacity building aligns with broader government efforts to enhance public health expertise and program effectiveness.

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 small business set-aside. The prime contractor, Strategic Innovative Solutions LLC, is responsible for its own subcontracting decisions, if any, which are not detailed in this data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific performance details may be internal. The Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services may have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

Public Health Fellowship Programs
Administrative Support Services
Management Consulting Services
Capacity Building Initiatives
Federal Workforce Development

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Need for robust government oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.
Clarity of performance metrics and deliverables is crucial for accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $4.5 million to STRATEGIC INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC. PHEM FELLOWSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRATEGIC INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS 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 $4.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-12. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of Strategic Innovative Solutions LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Health and Human Services?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess the track record of Strategic Innovative Solutions LLC. While this award indicates they have secured a contract with the CDC, understanding their past performance on similar contracts, their history of successful delivery, any past performance issues, and their experience with administrative management and general management consulting services is crucial. Examining prior awards, contract values, and client agency feedback (if publicly available) would provide a more comprehensive picture of their capabilities and reliability as a federal contractor. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their established track record beyond this current award.

How does the awarded amount of $4.5 million compare to similar fellowship capacity building support contracts?

Comparing the $4.5 million award to similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements for fellowship capacity building and administrative support. The value of this contract appears moderate for a multi-year engagement. Factors influencing comparison include the scope of services, the number of fellows supported, the duration of the fellowship programs, and the specific expertise required. Contracts for high-level strategic consulting or extensive program management could be significantly higher, while smaller, more focused administrative tasks might be lower. A detailed benchmark analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar objectives and service categories across different agencies to establish a more precise value-for-money assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for these services?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for administrative management and consulting services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if project management is weak, the contractor may incur more hours or use more materials than initially anticipated, leading to a higher final cost. This necessitates robust government oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, verification of materials, and strong program management to ensure that the work performed is necessary and efficient. Without such controls, the government may end up paying more than the value received.

How effective are capacity building programs in enhancing the skills and impact of fellows within public health organizations?

Capacity building programs are generally considered effective in enhancing the skills, knowledge, and impact of fellows within public health organizations, provided they are well-designed and implemented. These programs aim to equip fellows with the necessary competencies to address complex public health challenges, improve program delivery, and contribute to organizational goals. Effectiveness can be measured through various indicators, such as improved fellow performance, successful project completion, increased leadership capabilities, and enhanced contribution to public health outcomes. The success of such programs often depends on factors like the quality of training, mentorship, practical experience opportunities, and alignment with organizational needs. This contract's focus on supporting such programs suggests an investment in strengthening the public health workforce.

What is the historical spending trend for administrative management and general management consulting services by the CDC?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for administrative management and general management consulting services by the CDC would require accessing and aggregating procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts awarded under relevant NAICS codes (like 541611) or with similar service descriptions. Trends could reveal whether spending in this category is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether the CDC relies heavily on external consultants for these services. Understanding these patterns can inform future budget planning, identify potential areas for cost savings, or highlight a growing need for such expertise within the agency. Without specific historical data, it is not possible to describe the trend.

What are the potential benefits of 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' compared to standard 'Full and Open Competition'?

The distinction 'After Exclusion of Sources' in 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FOUAEOS) typically implies that the agency initially considered other sources but found them unsuitable or unavailable, or that certain sources were excluded based on specific criteria (e.g., national security, specific capabilities). Standard 'Full and Open Competition' (FOC) generally means the solicitation is open to all responsible sources without prior exclusion. FOUAEOS might suggest a more targeted approach where the agency has already done some preliminary vetting or faced specific circumstances that led to excluding certain potential bidders. While both aim for broad competition, FOUAEOS could indicate a slightly more constrained, though still competitive, process compared to a completely unvetted FOC. The key is that multiple responsible sources were still allowed to compete.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 75D301-23-R-72669

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13830 58TH ST N, CLEARWATER, FL, 33760

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,138,487

Exercised Options: $4,794,413

Current Obligation: $4,505,905

Actual Outlays: $2,673,876

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline