ASRT, INC. awarded $2.95M for scientific and technical support to CDC, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,953,499 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Asrt, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-02-28

End Date: 2027-02-27

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR DCLSR

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30329

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.0 million to ASRT, INC. for work described as: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR DCLSR Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential price efficiencies. 2. The contract duration of 729 days suggests a need for sustained scientific support. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the lack of competition limits benchmarking. 4. The award is for scientific and technical support, a critical function for public health. 5. The geographic location of the contractor is Georgia, potentially impacting local economic benefits. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380 indicates a focus on testing laboratories and services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the lack of competitive bidding. The fixed-price structure provides some cost control, but without comparison to other offers, it's difficult to ascertain if the $2.95 million represents a fair market price for scientific and technical support. The absence of competition may have led to a higher price than could have been achieved through a more open process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source is available or in cases of urgent need. The lack of competition means there were no other bidders to compare against, potentially limiting price discovery and the government's ability to secure the best possible terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing due to the absence of a bidding process. This could result in a higher overall cost for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) benefits from sustained scientific and technical support. Services delivered are related to testing laboratories and scientific analysis, crucial for public health initiatives. The geographic impact is primarily within Georgia, where the contractor is located. The contract supports a firm specializing in scientific services, potentially impacting the scientific workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can reduce transparency in government contracting.
Limited visibility into alternative solutions or innovative approaches from other vendors.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type helps to define and control costs.
The contract supports critical scientific and technical functions for a key public health agency.
The contractor, ASRT, Inc., is providing services within its specialized field.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Scientific Research and Development services sector, specifically related to testing laboratories and services (NAICS 541380). This sector is vital for innovation and public health monitoring. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely based on the complexity and duration of the scientific support required. The $2.95 million for a two-year definitive contract suggests a significant scope of work.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not available for this contract. As a sole-source award, it is less likely to have been specifically targeted for small business participation unless ASRT, Inc. itself qualifies as a small business and the award was made under a specific small business program not detailed here. Further investigation would be needed to determine any impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

CDC Scientific Support Contracts
Public Health Laboratory Services
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Federal Research and Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition
Potential for unbenchmarked pricing
Limited transparency in procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.0 million to ASRT, INC.. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR DCLSR

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 $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-28. End: 2027-02-27.

What is ASRT, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the CDC?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that ASRT, Inc. has received federal contracts, though specific details on their track record with the CDC require deeper analysis. Without access to a comprehensive contract history database, it's difficult to ascertain the full extent of their past performance, including the value and nature of previous awards. However, the current award suggests a level of trust or capability deemed sufficient by the agency for this specific requirement. Further investigation into past performance reviews and contract completion rates would provide a more robust assessment of their track record.

How does the $2.95 million price compare to similar scientific and technical support contracts awarded by the CDC or other agencies?

Benchmarking this $2.95 million contract against similar scientific and technical support contracts is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this award and the lack of specific service details. Typically, competitive bidding allows for price discovery and comparison. If this contract were competed, we would expect to see a range of bids that would establish a market price. Without such data, it's difficult to definitively state if $2.95 million is high or low. However, sole-source awards inherently carry a risk of being less cost-effective than competed contracts, as they bypass the competitive pressure that drives down prices.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for scientific and technical support?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for scientific and technical support include potential overpayment due to the absence of competitive pricing, limited innovation from a single provider, and reduced transparency in the procurement process. Taxpayers may not receive the best value for their money. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor can create risks if that contractor experiences performance issues, financial instability, or if their capabilities become outdated. The government may also miss out on potentially more cost-effective or technologically advanced solutions that other firms could offer.

How effective is the fixed-price contract type in ensuring the delivery of scientific and technical support services?

The fixed-price contract type is generally effective in ensuring the delivery of services as it establishes a firm cost for the work to be performed. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently to maintain profitability. For scientific and technical support, this means ASRT, Inc. is obligated to provide the defined services within the agreed-upon budget. However, the effectiveness is contingent on a well-defined scope of work. If the scope is ambiguous or changes frequently, cost overruns can still occur, potentially requiring contract modifications. The fixed-price nature, combined with the sole-source award, means the government bears the risk of the contractor's cost overruns, but without the benefit of competitive pricing.

What is the historical spending pattern for scientific and technical support at the CDC, and how does this contract fit in?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for scientific and technical support at the CDC requires access to detailed historical contract data. Without this, it's difficult to place this $2.95 million contract in context. However, the CDC, as a leading public health agency, consistently requires significant investment in scientific research, laboratory services, and technical expertise. Contracts for such services can range from small, specialized tasks to large, multi-year engagements. This $2.95 million definitive contract, spanning two years, suggests a substantial and ongoing need for ASRT, Inc.'s specialized capabilities, fitting within the agency's broader requirements for scientific support.

What are the implications of the NAICS code 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) for the scope of this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380, 'Testing Laboratories and Services,' indicates that the primary focus of this contract is on laboratory testing and related analytical services. This could encompass a wide range of activities, such as clinical testing, environmental testing, materials testing, or scientific analysis of samples. For the CDC, this likely translates to support for public health surveillance, disease diagnosis, research validation, or quality control of health-related products. The code suggests that ASRT, Inc. is expected to provide specialized testing capabilities and expertise, contributing to the CDC's mission through empirical data generation and analysis.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and 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: 75D301-25-R-73239

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: $4,497,449

Exercised Options: $2,953,499

Current Obligation: $2,953,499

Actual Outlays: $484,946

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline