HHS awards $15.8M for CAMS software, with Unison Software Inc. as the contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,791,368 ($15.8M)

Contractor: Unison Software Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: COMPREHENSIVE ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CAMS)

Place of Performance

Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $15.8 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC for work described as: COMPREHENSIVE ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CAMS) Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price contract type, though specific performance metrics are not detailed. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a long duration and a single awardee, but a fixed-price structure mitigates some financial risk. 4. Performance context is limited without specific details on the CAMS system's functionality and impact. 5. This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically software publishing, supporting healthcare administration.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $15.8 million over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar software acquisition contracts is difficult without more specific details on the CAMS system's scope and functionalities. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but the overall value for money depends heavily on the delivered software's effectiveness and efficiency gains for CMS operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of only one awardee (no: 1) for this specific delivery order, despite the open competition, could suggest that Unison Software Inc. was the most competitive bidder or that the specific requirements of this order narrowed the field significantly. Further analysis would be needed to determine the number of initial bids received.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better quality services. However, with only one awardee for this specific order, it's crucial to ensure the pricing remains competitive throughout the contract's life.

Public Impact

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) benefits from this contract through the acquisition of software to manage its operations. The CAMS software is intended to support various administrative and management functions within CMS. The geographic impact is primarily within the federal government's operational sphere, with potential downstream effects on healthcare providers and beneficiaries. Workforce implications are likely internal to CMS, focusing on the use and management of the new software system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (5 years) could lead to scope creep or evolving requirements not fully captured in initial pricing.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical system like CAMS could pose a risk if the vendor faces financial instability or operational issues.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the software post-award.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
Awarded under full and open competition, which theoretically promotes competitive pricing and innovation.
The contractor, Unison Software Inc., is an established entity in the software market.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically under the Software Publishers industry (NAICS 511210). The market for government IT solutions is substantial, with agencies continually seeking to modernize systems for efficiency and security. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale software acquisition contracts for federal agencies, particularly those within healthcare administration, to assess pricing and scope.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and the contractor is not a small business (ss: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The focus remains on the prime contractor's capabilities and their potential to engage small businesses as subcontractors, which is not explicitly detailed in this award information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified software functionalities. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports and audits are usually internal unless specific IG reviews are initiated.

Related Government Programs

Healthcare IT Modernization Programs
Federal Software Licensing and Support Contracts
CMS Administrative Systems
Health Information Exchange Technologies

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration
Single awardee for this delivery order
Limited public performance data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $15.8 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC. COMPREHENSIVE ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CAMS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNISON SOFTWARE 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 $15.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific functionality and intended use of the COMPREHENSIVE ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CAMS)?

The COMPREHENSIVE ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CAMS) is a software solution procured by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support its acquisition and procurement processes. While the provided data does not detail the specific modules or functionalities, such systems typically aim to streamline the lifecycle of acquiring goods and services, from initial requirement definition and solicitation through contract award, administration, and closeout. CAMS likely assists CMS in managing vendor information, tracking contract performance, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and generating necessary reports. Its implementation is intended to improve efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and enhance transparency in CMS's extensive procurement activities, which are critical for the delivery of healthcare services.

How does the $15.8 million contract value compare to similar IT software contracts within the federal government, particularly for healthcare agencies?

The $15.8 million contract value for the CAMS software over five years, averaging approximately $3.16 million annually, places it in the mid-tier range for federal IT software procurements. Larger federal agencies, especially those in healthcare like HHS/CMS, often engage in multi-million dollar contracts for enterprise-level software solutions, including Electronic Health Records (EHR), financial management systems, and data analytics platforms. For instance, major EHR system implementations or upgrades can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. However, contracts for specialized management systems like CAMS, focused on acquisition processes, might be less expensive than broad-reaching clinical or financial systems. Benchmarking requires comparing CAMS's scope against similar acquisition management or procurement software contracts across agencies like GSA or DoD, considering factors like user base, complexity, and integration requirements.

What are the primary risks associated with a five-year firm-fixed-price contract for software, and how are they mitigated?

A primary risk with a five-year firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract for software is the potential for the software's requirements to evolve significantly over its lifespan, leading to a mismatch between the delivered product and current needs. This can result in the government paying for a system that is outdated or inefficient. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the government becomes heavily reliant on a single provider, potentially limiting future flexibility or negotiating power. Mitigation strategies include robust contract management, clear performance standards, and change control processes to manage scope adjustments. For FFP contracts, the risk of the vendor under-delivering on quality or features is mitigated by detailed specifications and acceptance criteria. The government's risk is primarily in ensuring the initial scope is well-defined and that mechanisms exist to adapt to necessary changes without excessive cost increases.

What is Unison Software Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Health and Human Services?

Unison Software Inc. has a history of providing software solutions to the federal government. Publicly available data indicates they have secured various contracts across different agencies. For the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its sub-agencies like CMS, Unison Software has been awarded contracts related to software development, licensing, and support. Their experience often centers around acquisition, procurement, and financial management systems. While specific details on past performance metrics for individual contracts are not always public, their continued awards suggest a satisfactory performance history and capability to meet federal requirements. A deeper dive into contract performance reports and past performance evaluations, if accessible, would provide a more granular assessment of their track record.

How does the 'full and open competition' award type impact the cost-effectiveness and innovation for this CAMS contract?

Awarding the CAMS contract under 'full and open competition' theoretically maximizes cost-effectiveness and fosters innovation by allowing any qualified vendor to submit proposals. This broad competition drives down prices as vendors vie for the contract, and encourages them to offer their most advanced or efficient solutions to win. However, the fact that only one award was made for this specific delivery order, despite the open competition, warrants further examination. It could imply that only one vendor met the stringent technical requirements, or that the market for such specialized software is limited. While the initial competition phase likely benefited taxpayers, ongoing cost-effectiveness depends on effective contract management and potential future competition for subsequent phases or modifications.

What are the potential implications for data security and privacy given this is a software contract for a healthcare-related agency?

Software contracts for agencies like CMS, which handle sensitive healthcare data, carry significant implications for data security and privacy. The CAMS software, even if primarily for acquisition management, may interact with or store data that is indirectly linked to healthcare operations or beneficiaries. Therefore, the contract must adhere to stringent federal regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act). This includes requirements for data encryption, access controls, regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and incident response plans. Unison Software Inc. would be obligated to implement robust security measures to protect any sensitive information processed or stored by the CAMS system, and the government would conduct oversight to ensure compliance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

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

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation

Address: 8444 WESTPARK DR STE 920, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,791,368

Exercised Options: $15,791,368

Current Obligation: $15,791,368

Actual Outlays: $15,511,921

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00EP

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline