New Hampshire receives $168.6M for public health services, awarded via non-competitive contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $168,636 ($168.6K)

Contractor: Secretary State NEW Hampshire Department

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-14

End Date: 2027-05-01

Contract Duration: 382 days

Daily Burn Rate: $441/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NH VSCP

Place of Performance

Location: CONCORD, MERRIMACK County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03301

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $168,636 to SECRETARY STATE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT for work described as: NH VSCP Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in state-level public health infrastructure. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and market alternatives. 3. Long contract duration suggests a need for sustained public health support. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty but may limit flexibility for evolving needs. 5. Focus on executive offices indicates potential for centralized program management. 6. Geographic focus on New Hampshire suggests targeted service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $168.6 million over its period is substantial for a single state's public health initiatives. Without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The lack of comparison to similar contracts or market rates for equivalent services makes a precise assessment of pricing and value challenging. The fixed-price nature provides budget predictability, but the absence of competition means potential overpayment cannot be ruled out.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning no other vendors were considered. This approach bypasses the standard competitive procurement process, which typically involves soliciting bids from multiple interested parties. The lack of competition limits price discovery and may prevent the government from securing the most cost-effective solution or innovative approaches available in the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value due to the absence of competitive pressure to drive down costs. The government's ability to negotiate favorable terms is also diminished in a sole-source scenario.

Public Impact

Residents of New Hampshire will benefit from enhanced public health services and programs. Services delivered likely encompass a broad range of public health functions, from disease surveillance to health promotion. The geographic impact is confined to the state of New Hampshire. Workforce implications could include support for existing state health employees and potential for new roles within contracted services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can reduce transparency and accountability in spending.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to the absence of market alternatives.
Difficulty in assessing performance benchmarks without comparative data.

Positive Signals

Sustained funding ensures continuity of essential public health services.
Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the state.
Direct award to the Secretary of State's office suggests alignment with state government priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broad healthcare sector, specifically focusing on public health services at the state level. Public health spending can vary significantly based on state needs, federal grants, and specific health crises. Benchmarking this contract's value is difficult without knowing the specific services covered, but it represents a substantial investment for New Hampshire's public health infrastructure, potentially covering areas like disease prevention, health education, and emergency preparedness.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements. As a sole-source award, it is unlikely that small businesses were specifically targeted or considered as primary contractors. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore likely minimal unless the primary contractor engages in subcontracting opportunities, which are not specified here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. As a sole-source award, transparency might be limited compared to competitively bid contracts. Accountability would typically be managed through performance metrics and reporting requirements outlined in the contract, but the specifics of these are unknown. Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the awarding agency and the nature of the funds, but oversight is crucial given the significant value.

Related Government Programs

State Public Health Programs
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Grants
Public Health Infrastructure Funding
Health and Human Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
High contract value without clear performance benchmarks.
Limited transparency in procurement process.
Potential for cost overruns due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $168,636 to SECRETARY STATE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT. NH VSCP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SECRETARY STATE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT.

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 $168,636.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-14. End: 2027-05-01.

What specific public health services are covered under this $168.6 million contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact public health services covered by this contract. However, given the awarding agency (Department of Health and Human Services) and the recipient (Secretary of State, New Hampshire), it likely encompasses a wide array of essential public health functions. These could include disease surveillance and reporting, health promotion and education campaigns, immunization programs, environmental health initiatives, emergency preparedness and response, and potentially support for healthcare access or specific health conditions prevalent in New Hampshire. A detailed statement of work within the contract documents would provide precise service details.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of through full and open competition?

The rationale for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or specific circumstances where competition is not feasible or practical. However, without further information, it's impossible to determine the specific justification for this award. Such awards often face scrutiny due to the lack of competitive pricing and potential for reduced value for taxpayer money.

How does the contract duration of approximately 3.5 years (from award date to end date) align with typical public health service needs?

A contract duration of approximately 3.5 years (from the estimated award date of April 14, 2026, to May 1, 2027, though the duration calculation of 382 days seems short for these dates) is relatively standard for public health initiatives that require sustained effort and program continuity. Public health goals, such as disease prevention, health education, and infrastructure development, often span multiple years to achieve measurable outcomes. This duration suggests a commitment to ongoing support for New Hampshire's public health system, allowing for the implementation and evaluation of programs without the disruption of frequent re-procurement.

What is the significance of the 'Executive Offices' designation (ND: Executive Offices) in relation to the contract's purpose?

The designation 'Executive Offices' (ND: Executive Offices) likely indicates that the contract's administrative and oversight functions are managed through the highest levels of the New Hampshire state government, possibly within the Governor's office or a central administrative department, rather than a specific operational division of the Department of Health and Human Services. This could imply a strategic or overarching focus for the public health initiatives funded by this contract, potentially involving coordination across multiple state agencies or addressing high-priority public health mandates. It suggests that the funding and direction are closely aligned with the state's executive leadership priorities.

What are the potential risks associated with a $168.6 million sole-source contract for public health services?

The primary risks associated with a large sole-source public health contract include potential lack of cost-effectiveness, as competitive bidding is absent, which could lead to higher prices than necessary. There's also a risk of reduced innovation, as the government doesn't benefit from the diverse solutions multiple bidders might offer. Vendor performance complacency is another concern; without the threat of losing future business to competitors, the contractor might have less incentive to maintain high service standards. Furthermore, the lack of transparency inherent in sole-source awards can make it harder for the public and oversight bodies to scrutinize the value and necessity of the expenditure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support › Executive Offices

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 71 SOUTH FRUIT ST, CONCORD, NH, 03301

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $168,636

Exercised Options: $168,636

Current Obligation: $168,636

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75D30122D13174

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline