HHS awards $2.5M contract for staffing support services to ASRT, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,543,078 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Asrt, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-08-31

End Date: 2027-09-09

Contract Duration: 1,470 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: STAFFING SUPPORT SERVICES

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: STAFFING SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about potential cost savings through broader competition. 2. The contract duration of 1470 days suggests a long-term need for these staffing services. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type indicates a defined scope and cost, reducing financial risk for the government. 4. The specific service category, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is broad and may encompass a wide range of support functions. 5. Awarded to a single vendor, ASRT, INC., without a competitive process limits market insights and potential for better pricing. 6. The contract's geographic focus on Georgia (GA) may indicate a localized need for these staffing services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without comparable data for similar staffing support services. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition means there's no direct market comparison to assess if the price is optimal. Further analysis would require understanding the specific roles and skill sets being procured to compare against industry standards and prevailing wage rates for similar positions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' justification, indicating that a full and open competition was not pursued. This typically occurs when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement, or in specific circumstances like follow-on work to a previous sole-source award. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from multiple bids, which could have driven down prices and spurred innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value due to the absence of competitive bidding, which is a primary mechanism for ensuring cost-effectiveness in federal procurement.

Public Impact

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will benefit from this contract by securing necessary staffing support. Services delivered will likely include professional, scientific, and technical personnel to aid CDC operations. The geographic impact is noted as Georgia (GA), suggesting the services are primarily needed within that state. Workforce implications include the potential for ASRT, INC. to utilize its existing workforce or hire new personnel to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Broad service category makes it difficult to assess specific needs and value.
Long contract duration without competitive review could reduce incentive for efficiency.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Award to a single vendor may indicate specialized capabilities.
Contract supports critical operations within the CDC.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is a broad category encompassing a wide array of support functions for government agencies. This contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' Spending in this sector is substantial across the federal government, supporting everything from research and development to administrative and operational needs. Benchmarking this specific contract's value is difficult without more granular detail on the services provided, but it represents a small portion of the overall federal expenditure in this diverse sector.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. The award was made to ASRT, INC. without specific mention of small business participation. This means that opportunities for small businesses to subcontract or directly benefit from this award are not explicitly defined within the contract details provided. Further investigation into ASRT, INC.'s subcontracting plans would be necessary to understand the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and specifically the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency regarding the specific justification for the sole-source award and the performance metrics would be key to assessing accountability. The Inspector General for HHS would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Staffing Support Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
CDC Support Contracts
HHS Administrative Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Broad service category may obscure specific needs and value.
Limited transparency on justification for non-competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.5 million to ASRT, INC.. STAFFING SUPPORT SERVICES

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: 2023-08-31. End: 2027-09-09.

What specific staffing roles and expertise are covered under this 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact staffing roles or expertise covered under this contract, only categorizing it broadly under NAICS code 541990. This category encompasses a wide range of services, from research support and technical consulting to administrative and program management assistance. To understand the specific value and necessity of this contract, a detailed breakdown of the required positions, their qualifications, and the expected deliverables would be essential. Without this information, it's difficult to assess if the $2.5 million award is commensurate with the services being procured or if alternative, more cost-effective solutions could have been identified through competition.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The contract was awarded under the category 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which signifies a sole-source justification. Common reasons for sole-source awards include situations where only one vendor possesses the unique capability, expertise, or technology required, or in cases of urgent and compelling need where competition is impractical. For this specific contract, the justification for ASRT, INC. being the sole capable provider is not detailed in the provided data. Understanding this justification is critical for assessing whether the government adequately explored competitive options and if the sole-source award was truly the only viable path to meet the agency's needs, thereby impacting potential value for taxpayers.

How does the $2.54 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar staffing support services by the CDC or HHS?

Without specific historical data on comparable staffing support contracts for the CDC or HHS, a direct comparison of the $2.54 million value is not feasible. The broad nature of the service category (541990) further complicates benchmarking. To provide context, an analysis would require identifying previous contracts for similar staffing needs, considering factors like the number of staff, skill sets, duration, and geographic location. A trend analysis of federal spending on professional, scientific, and technical services could offer a general benchmark, but a precise comparison for this specific contract's value relative to past spending would necessitate deeper data mining and analysis of agency procurement histories.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure performance and value?

The provided contract data does not include details on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These are crucial elements for ensuring that the contractor, ASRT, INC., delivers the required staffing support services effectively and efficiently. Without defined KPIs and SLAs, it is challenging to objectively measure the contractor's performance, assess the value received by the CDC, and hold the vendor accountable for meeting expectations. Standard oversight mechanisms would typically involve regular performance reviews and reporting, but the specifics of these would need to be detailed in the contract's statement of work.

What is the track record of ASRT, INC. in performing similar federal contracts, particularly those awarded on a sole-source basis?

Information regarding ASRT, INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially sole-source awards for staffing support services, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes with previous government engagements. Understanding their experience in similar service categories and their history of meeting performance requirements and delivery timelines is essential for evaluating the risk associated with this $2.54 million award. A review of federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems would be necessary to gather this information.

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: 75D301-23-Q-76501

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $3,291,955

Exercised Options: $2,567,078

Current Obligation: $2,543,078

Actual Outlays: $1,156,995

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline