HHS Awards $24.3M for Cancer Surveillance Informatics System to GC&E Federal

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,266,343 ($24.3M)

Contractor: GC&E Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-07-20

End Date: 2026-07-19

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NATIONAL PROGRAM OF CANCER REGISTRIES CANCER SURVEILLANCE INFORMATICS SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30341

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24.3 million to GC&E FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: NATIONAL PROGRAM OF CANCER REGISTRIES CANCER SURVEILLANCE INFORMATICS SYSTEM Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical cancer surveillance informatics system. 2. GC&E Federal, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. Potential for increased efficiency in cancer data management. 4. Limited competition raises questions about optimal pricing. 5. Wired Telecommunications Carriers NAICS code may not fully capture system needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $24.3M over two years is substantial. Without comparable contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, assessing its pricing against similar informatics systems is difficult. The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status further complicates value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source or limited-source award. This lack of competition likely limited price discovery and may have resulted in a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding, potentially impacting the overall efficiency of federal spending on this critical program.

Public Impact

Enhances national capacity to track and analyze cancer data. Supports public health initiatives and research efforts. Improves response times to public health emergencies related to cancer. Potential for long-term cost savings through better data management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Potential for overpricing
NAICS code may not be optimal

Positive Signals

Supports critical public health mission
Definitive contract provides stability

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT services, specifically related to data management and telecommunications for public health. Spending in this sector is often high due to the complexity and critical nature of systems like cancer registries.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is GC&E Federal, LLC. Information regarding their small business status or subcontracting plans is not provided, making it difficult to assess the impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition aspect warrants further oversight to ensure the government received fair value. The CDC should have robust internal controls to justify sole-source awards and monitor contract performance closely.

Related Government Programs

Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to limited options.
NAICS code may not accurately reflect the scope of services.
Need for strong justification for sole-source award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.3 million to GC&E FEDERAL, LLC. NATIONAL PROGRAM OF CANCER REGISTRIES CANCER SURVEILLANCE INFORMATICS SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GC&E FEDERAL, 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 $24.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-20. End: 2026-07-19.

What specific technical capabilities justify the limited competition for this cancer surveillance system?

The justification for limited competition needs to detail unique technical requirements, proprietary technology, or specific expertise held by GC&E Federal, LLC that cannot be met by other vendors. Without this, the award appears to bypass standard procurement processes designed to ensure best value and competitive pricing for taxpayer funds.

How does the $24.3M contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar informatics systems, considering the limited competition?

Benchmarking is challenging due to the limited competition. Typically, competitive bids drive down costs. The absence of multiple offers means this $24.3M could be higher than a market-driven price. A thorough cost analysis by the agency is crucial to validate the reasonableness of the price paid.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure effectiveness?

Effectiveness will be measured by the system's ability to accurately collect, store, and analyze cancer data, improve reporting timeliness, and support public health decision-making. Clear KPIs related to data integrity, system uptime, user satisfaction, and integration with other health systems are essential for oversight.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers

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: 75D301-24-R-73053

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5835 PEACHTREE CORS E STE A1, PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA, 30092

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,266,343

Exercised Options: $24,266,343

Current Obligation: $24,266,343

Actual Outlays: $19,073,990

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline