HHS awards $4.9M for management analytics and consulting to Chickasaw Federal Health, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,869,645 ($4.9M)

Contractor: Chickasaw Federal Health, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-02-14

End Date: 2027-02-23

Contract Duration: 739 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR MANAGEMENT ANALYTICS, TRAINING, STRATEGIC MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR VTRCKS END USERS.

Place of Performance

Location: NORMAN, CLEVELAND County, OKLAHOMA, 73071

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $4.9 million to CHICKASAW FEDERAL HEALTH, LLC for work described as: THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR MANAGEMENT ANALYTICS, TRAINING, STRATEGIC MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR VTRCKS END USERS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on management analytics, training, strategic marketing, and organizational change management. 2. Sole-source award to Chickasaw Federal Health, LLC raises questions about competition and potential value. 3. Contract duration of approximately two years with a firm-fixed-price structure. 4. The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' NAICS code suggests a broad range of potential activities. 5. Geographic location of the contractor in Oklahoma may influence local economic impact. 6. Lack of competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers. 7. Performance is rated as 'OK' by the agency, indicating satisfactory but not exceptional delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and the broad scope of services. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if the $4.9 million represents a fair market price. The 'OK' performance rating suggests the contractor is meeting expectations, but doesn't indicate exceptional value for money. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and comparing them to similar, competitively awarded contracts for management analytics and consulting services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is listed as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. The data indicates a sole-source award, meaning only one contractor was solicited and awarded the contract. This lack of competition limits the agency's ability to explore a wider range of solutions and potentially secure more favorable pricing through a bidding process. The specific justification for the sole-source award is not provided in the data.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. This limits the government's ability to ensure it is receiving the best possible value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the end-users within the VTRCKS program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Services delivered include management analytics, training, strategic marketing, and organizational change management support. The geographic impact is primarily within the CDC's operational sphere, likely centered in Atlanta, Georgia, though the contractor is based in Oklahoma. Workforce implications may include the utilization of specialized consulting expertise to improve CDC operations and program effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases costs.
Broad service scope ('Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services') could lead to scope creep or inefficiencies if not tightly managed.
Performance rating of 'OK' suggests room for improvement and potential risks if issues are not addressed proactively.

Positive Signals

Contractor has a performance rating of 'OK', indicating satisfactory service delivery.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration of nearly two years allows for sustained support and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' category (NAICS 541690), a broad sector encompassing a wide array of advisory and analytical services. This sector is crucial for government agencies seeking specialized expertise to improve operations, strategy, and program delivery. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on agency needs for modernization, efficiency improvements, and strategic planning. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the varied nature of services within this NAICS code, but agencies frequently contract for management, IT, and organizational consulting services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false) and does not appear to have a small business set-aside component (sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The focus is on a prime contractor, Chickasaw Federal Health, LLC, which is likely a larger entity capable of fulfilling the extensive service requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost control. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award, as the justification and evaluation process are not publicly detailed. Accountability would be managed through contract performance reviews and adherence to the statement of work. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

CDC Management Consulting Services
HHS Strategic Planning Support
Federal Organizational Change Management Contracts
Government Training and Development Services
Public Health Program Analytics

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Broad service scope
Performance rating of 'OK'

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $4.9 million to CHICKASAW FEDERAL HEALTH, LLC. THIS REQUIREMENT IS FOR MANAGEMENT ANALYTICS, TRAINING, STRATEGIC MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR VTRCKS END USERS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHICKASAW FEDERAL HEALTH, 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 $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-14. End: 2027-02-23.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Chickasaw Federal Health, LLC?

The provided data does not contain the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements where competition is not feasible or practical. Without this information, it is difficult to assess the necessity of bypassing the competitive bidding process and its potential impact on value for money. Further investigation into agency procurement records would be required to determine the official justification.

How does the $4.9 million contract value compare to similar management analytics and consulting services procured by the CDC or HHS?

Direct comparison of the $4.9 million contract value is challenging without knowing the specific deliverables and scope of work. However, for broad management, strategic, and organizational consulting services, contract values can range significantly from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the duration, complexity, and expertise required. Given the two-year duration and the nature of the services (analytics, training, marketing, change management), $4.9 million appears to be within a reasonable range for a sole-source award of this type. However, a competitive process would likely yield more definitive benchmarks for value.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for management consulting services?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated pricing and potentially lower quality services compared to what might be achieved through open competition. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not possess the absolute best or most innovative solutions available in the market. Furthermore, without a competitive process, it can be harder to objectively assess the contractor's capabilities and ensure they are the most suitable for the specific needs of the VTRCKS program. Transparency is also reduced, making public scrutiny more difficult.

What does the 'OK' performance rating signify for the delivery of these services?

An 'OK' performance rating, often translated as 'Satisfactory' or 'Acceptable,' indicates that Chickasaw Federal Health, LLC is meeting the minimum requirements outlined in the contract. It suggests that the services are being delivered as expected, but not necessarily exceeding expectations or demonstrating exceptional performance. For the government, this rating implies that the contractor is fulfilling its obligations, but it also highlights that there may be opportunities for improvement or that the contractor is not necessarily going above and beyond. It warrants continued monitoring by the agency to ensure continued satisfactory performance and to identify any emerging issues.

How has federal spending in 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) trended in recent years, and how does this contract fit within that trend?

Federal spending in NAICS code 541690, 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' has generally seen a steady increase over the past decade as agencies increasingly rely on external expertise for specialized support. This category is broad and encompasses a wide range of services, making precise trend analysis difficult without segmenting further. This $4.9 million contract for management analytics, training, and change management support aligns with the trend of agencies seeking external consultants to improve operational efficiency, strategic planning, and program effectiveness. The CDC's award reflects a common practice across federal agencies to leverage such services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2600 JOHN SAXON BLVD., SUITE 2227, NORMAN, OK, 73071

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, 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, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,119,768

Exercised Options: $12,278,374

Current Obligation: $4,869,645

Actual Outlays: $1,620,048

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $2,626,571

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline