HHS Awards $2.8M Contract for COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Research to Ipsos Public Affairs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,841,963 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-09-19

End Date: 2027-10-26

Contract Duration: 1,498 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ONGOING ASSESSMENT OF COVID-19 AND INFLUENZA VACCINATION RECEIPT AND RELATED KNOWLEDGE

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30341

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.8 million to IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LLC for work described as: ONGOING ASSESSMENT OF COVID-19 AND INFLUENZA VACCINATION RECEIPT AND RELATED KNOWLEDGE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on understanding vaccination receipt and knowledge related to COVID-19 and influenza. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger award, indicating potential for follow-on work. 4. The sector is administrative management and general management consulting services, supporting public health initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.8M over approximately 4 years for research services appears reasonable for a large-scale public health study. Benchmarking against similar market research contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government. The use of a delivery order suggests a pre-competed framework contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is the direct cost of the contract, which is intended to inform public health strategies and potentially improve vaccination rates, leading to long-term public health benefits.

Public Impact

Informs public health campaigns and strategies for vaccine promotion. Helps identify barriers and facilitators to vaccination uptake. Contributes to understanding public perception and knowledge of vaccines. Supports evidence-based decision-making for disease prevention.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in ongoing research projects.
Reliance on contractor's data collection and analysis methods.
Changes in public health priorities could impact research relevance.

Positive Signals

Focus on critical public health issues (COVID-19, influenza).
Competitive award process.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, specifically supporting public health research. Spending in this area is crucial for evidence-based policy development and program effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the awardee is Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC, a large research firm. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific delivery order.

Oversight & Accountability

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the awarding agency, responsible for overseeing the contractor's performance and ensuring the research meets its objectives. Standard contract oversight mechanisms are expected to be in place.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for data bias.
Contractor performance risk.
Relevance of findings over time.
Scope creep in research objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.8 million to IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LLC. ONGOING ASSESSMENT OF COVID-19 AND INFLUENZA VACCINATION RECEIPT AND RELATED KNOWLEDGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, 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 $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-19. End: 2027-10-26.

What specific methodologies will be employed to assess vaccination receipt and knowledge, and how will data validity be ensured?

The contract likely specifies detailed methodologies for data collection (e.g., surveys, interviews) and analysis. Ensuring data validity will involve rigorous sampling techniques, quality control measures during data collection, and robust statistical analysis. The CDC will oversee the adherence to these protocols to guarantee reliable insights into vaccination behaviors and knowledge gaps.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for ongoing public health research of this nature?

Risks include a lack of diverse perspectives, potential for contractor bias, and reduced innovation if the contractor's methods become stale. Over-reliance could also create a vulnerability if the contractor faces performance issues. Mitigation strategies involve clear performance metrics, regular reviews, and potentially incorporating external expert consultations.

How will the findings from this research directly influence future public health strategies and resource allocation for vaccination programs?

The research findings are expected to provide actionable intelligence on vaccine hesitancy, knowledge gaps, and effective communication channels. This data will inform the CDC's targeted outreach campaigns, resource allocation for vaccine promotion, and the development of new strategies to improve vaccination coverage and public health outcomes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 75D301-23-Q-77026

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 501 MERRITT 7 STE 2, NORWALK, CT, 06851

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,077,520

Exercised Options: $2,841,963

Current Obligation: $2,841,963

Actual Outlays: $2,012,595

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F123DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline