HHS Awards $17.5M Print Fulfillment Contract to United Systems of Arkansas for CMS Call Center Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,571,558 ($17.6M)
Contractor: United Systems of Arkansas, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2019-06-17
End Date: 2024-06-16
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: 003707-THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES PRINT FULFILLMENT SUPPORT TO THE CALL CENTER.
Place of Performance
Location: NORTH LITTLE ROCK, PULASKI County, ARKANSAS, 72117
State: Arkansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17.6 million to UNITED SYSTEMS OF ARKANSAS, INC. for work described as: 003707-THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES PRINT FULFILLMENT SUPPORT TO THE CALL CENTER. Key points: 1. Contract value of $17.5M over 5 years for essential call center print services. 2. United Systems of Arkansas, Inc. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract utilizes a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure, providing cost certainty. 4. This spending falls within the 'All Other Business Support Services' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's $17.5M value over five years suggests a reasonable annual spend for comprehensive print fulfillment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale call center support contracts would provide further context on pricing efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring fair market pricing. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing outcomes.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary services.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity of essential print services for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Supports the operational efficiency of critical government call centers. Provides a stable vendor relationship for a significant period (5 years).
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical print operations.
Positive Signals
- Clear contract duration and pricing structure.
- Awarded through competitive bidding process.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under business support services, specifically print fulfillment for a government agency's call center. Spending in this sector is generally stable, driven by ongoing operational needs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's duration and value suggest it has undergone standard procurement oversight. Further review of performance metrics and any potential audits would clarify accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Business Support Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration of 5 years.
- Single award for critical support function.
- Potential for price increases in future renewals.
- Dependence on vendor's operational continuity.
Tags
all-other-business-support-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, ar, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17.6 million to UNITED SYSTEMS OF ARKANSAS, INC.. 003707-THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES PRINT FULFILLMENT SUPPORT TO THE CALL CENTER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNITED SYSTEMS OF ARKANSAS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-06-17. End: 2024-06-16.
What is the specific scope of 'print fulfillment support' and how does it align with the call center's needs?
Print fulfillment support likely encompasses the printing, assembly, and mailing of various documents such as statements, notices, and informational materials for call center inquiries. This ensures beneficiaries receive timely and accurate information, directly supporting the call center's function in disseminating critical health program details.
Are there any identified risks associated with United Systems of Arkansas's ability to meet the contract's demands over the five-year period?
The provided data does not explicitly detail performance risks. However, standard government contract monitoring would assess vendor performance, financial stability, and adherence to service level agreements. Any identified issues would be addressed through contract management protocols to mitigate impact on call center operations.
How does the firm fixed price structure impact the government's ability to manage costs and ensure value for money?
A firm fixed price (FFP) contract establishes a set price for the defined scope of work, shifting most risk to the contractor. This provides the government with cost certainty and incentivizes the contractor to control costs efficiently. For print fulfillment, FFP is suitable as the service scope is generally predictable.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › All Other Business Support Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4949 W BETHANY RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR, 72117
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,571,558
Exercised Options: $17,571,558
Current Obligation: $17,571,558
Actual Outlays: $10,103,112
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS25F0001U
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-06-17
Current End Date: 2024-06-16
Potential End Date: 2024-06-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-20
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