HHS Awards $47.3M Task Order for Operational Analytics to A Square Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,281,094 ($47.3M)

Contractor: A Square Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2020-07-01

End Date: 2025-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,764 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TASK ORDER AWARD - OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $47.3 million to A SQUARE GROUP LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER AWARD - OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $47.3 million over nearly five years. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk associated with Time and Materials pricing structure. 4. Focus on operational analytics within the healthcare sector, specifically CMS. 5. No explicit small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Time and Materials (T&M) type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking T&M contracts is difficult without specific labor categories and rates, but the overall value suggests a substantial investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, but the T&M structure requires diligent oversight to ensure value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted through the funding of this significant operational analytics contract. The T&M nature necessitates careful monitoring to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively.

Public Impact

Enhances operational capabilities for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Supports data-driven decision-making within a critical healthcare agency. Long-term contract duration suggests ongoing need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure
Lack of explicit small business participation

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition
Significant investment in operational analytics

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' category, often associated with IT services. The $47.3 million value is substantial for a task order, reflecting the importance of operational analytics in the healthcare sector, particularly for CMS.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals or participation in this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

The Time and Materials pricing model requires robust oversight from CMS to manage costs effectively and prevent scope creep. Regular performance reviews and detailed invoicing scrutiny are crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of transparency regarding specific deliverables and performance metrics.
No indication of small business participation or subcontracting opportunities.
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility for future technological advancements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $47.3 million to A SQUARE GROUP LLC. TASK ORDER AWARD - OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A SQUARE GROUP LLC.

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 $47.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-01. End: 2025-04-30.

What specific operational analytics capabilities will A Square Group LLC provide to CMS, and how will these directly improve healthcare service delivery or administrative efficiency?

The task order focuses on 'Operational Analytics,' which likely involves analyzing data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of CMS operations. This could include optimizing claims processing, identifying fraud, waste, and abuse, improving beneficiary outreach, or streamlining internal workflows. The direct impact on healthcare service delivery and administrative efficiency would depend on the specific analytics implemented, such as faster claims resolution or better resource allocation.

Given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and ensure the government receives fair value for the $47.3 million expenditure?

Effective cost control for T&M contracts relies heavily on strong government oversight. This includes detailed monitoring of labor hours, rates, and material costs, as well as rigorous review of invoices. Establishing clear ceilings, milestones, and performance metrics can also help manage expenditures. Regular communication and performance reviews with A Square Group LLC are essential to ensure alignment with project goals and prevent unnecessary costs.

How will the success and effectiveness of the operational analytics provided under this task order be measured and evaluated by CMS?

CMS will likely measure the success of this task order through a combination of performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the specific operational improvements sought. This could include metrics related to cost savings achieved, efficiency gains in processing times, reduction in errors or fraud, or improvements in data quality and accessibility. Regular reporting from A Square Group LLC, coupled with independent government analysis of the outcomes, will be crucial for evaluating effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7101 GUILFORD DR STE 100, FREDERICK, MD, 21704

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,281,094

Exercised Options: $47,281,094

Current Obligation: $47,281,094

Actual Outlays: $38,924,098

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0636Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline