HHS awards $2.8M for quality data technical assistance to National Committee for Quality Assurance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,795,919 ($2.8M)

Contractor: National Committee for Quality Assurance

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-08-29

End Date: 2028-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,829 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (NCQA) 007634: QUALITY DATA DEVELOPMENT 0522: ADMINISTRATION DIRECT: MAND CAN 5991070 THE PURPOSE IS TO ACQUIRE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THE APPROPRIATE USE OF NON-ELECTRONIC CLINI

Place of Performance

Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.8 million to NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE for work described as: NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (NCQA) 007634: QUALITY DATA DEVELOPMENT 0522: ADMINISTRATION DIRECT: MAND CAN 5991070 THE PURPOSE IS TO ACQUIRE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THE APPROPRIATE USE OF NON-ELECTRONIC CLINI Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical assistance for non-electronic clinical data quality. 2. Awarded to a single, established entity with a clear mission in quality assessment. 3. Long-term contract duration suggests a need for sustained support in this area. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, indicating a pre-established relationship and procurement process. 6. The specific NAICS code points to management consulting services, aligning with the technical assistance nature of the work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.8 million over approximately five years appears reasonable for specialized technical assistance in quality data development. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical assistance in healthcare quality improvement would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests a degree of cost control, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and achievable within the budget.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive process was utilized. This approach is generally favored to ensure the government receives the best value through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which will receive technical assistance to improve the quality of healthcare data. Services delivered include guidance and support for the appropriate use of non-electronic clinical data. The geographic impact is national, as CMS operates nationwide, and the quality of data affects all beneficiaries. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized expertise within CMS or its contractors to manage and utilize this technical assistance effectively.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'appropriate use' is not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical technical assistance could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring the technical assistance translates into measurable improvements in data quality requires robust performance metrics.

Positive Signals

Award to a recognized entity (NCQA) suggests a high likelihood of relevant expertise.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
Long-term duration allows for sustained focus and development of best practices.
Full and open competition indicates a robust initial selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on administrative management and general management consulting. The healthcare industry relies heavily on accurate and high-quality data for patient care, program administration, and policy development. Spending in this area supports the government's mission to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within contracts related to healthcare IT, data analytics, and quality improvement initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this specific award. However, the prime contractor, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, may engage small businesses as subcontractors if their expertise aligns with the project's needs, though this is not a requirement of the contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) contracting officer and program officials. Performance monitoring, adherence to the statement of work, and invoice approval are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Medicare Quality Payment Program
Medicaid Health Home Information Technology
Healthcare Data Analytics Services
Clinical Data Standards Development
Healthcare Quality Improvement Initiatives

Risk Flags

Performance Risk
Scope Definition Risk
Data Quality Assurance Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.8 million to NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE. NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (NCQA) 007634: QUALITY DATA DEVELOPMENT 0522: ADMINISTRATION DIRECT: MAND CAN 5991070 THE PURPOSE IS TO ACQUIRE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THE APPROPRIATE USE OF NON-ELECTRONIC CLINI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE.

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 $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-29. End: 2028-08-31.

What is the specific expertise of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in the area of non-electronic clinical data quality?

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care. They are well-known for developing and implementing performance measurement and quality improvement programs, including HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set). Their expertise extends to developing standards and measures for health plan performance and patient experience. While much of their recent work has focused on electronic health records (EHRs) and digital data, their foundational work includes a deep understanding of data quality principles applicable to both electronic and non-electronic formats. This contract likely leverages their established methodologies for data validation, standardization, and reporting, adapted for the specific context of non-electronic clinical data used by CMS.

How does the $2.8 million contract value compare to similar technical assistance contracts within HHS?

Comparing the $2.8 million contract value requires identifying similar technical assistance contracts within HHS, specifically those focused on data quality and healthcare administration. Contracts for specialized consulting services in the healthcare domain can vary widely based on scope, duration, and the uniqueness of the expertise required. A five-year duration for technical assistance suggests an average annual value of approximately $560,000. This figure is within a plausible range for expert consulting services supporting a federal agency's critical functions. However, without direct comparisons to contracts with identical objectives and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Factors such as the level of contractor expertise, the complexity of the data systems involved, and the criticality of the quality assurance function would influence the appropriate price point.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks include the potential for the technical assistance to be misaligned with CMS's evolving needs, the contractor's performance not meeting expectations, or the defined scope of 'appropriate use' of non-electronic data being ambiguous. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by CMS program officials, clearly defined deliverables and milestones within the contract, and regular communication channels between the agency and the contractor. The firm fixed-price nature also incentivizes the contractor to manage their resources efficiently to meet the agreed-upon cost. Furthermore, the long-term nature of the contract allows for adjustments and course correction if initial performance indicates deviations from the desired outcomes.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the quality of healthcare data used by CMS?

The expected impact is an improvement in the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of non-electronic clinical data utilized by CMS. By providing technical assistance, the contractor aims to ensure that this data is collected, managed, and interpreted in a manner that supports effective healthcare program administration and policy decisions. This could lead to better insights into patient care, more accurate program evaluations, and potentially more efficient resource allocation. The focus on 'appropriate use' suggests an effort to standardize practices and reduce variability, thereby enhancing the reliability of the data for downstream analysis and reporting.

How has spending on similar administrative management and general management consulting services evolved within HHS over the past five years?

Spending on administrative management and general management consulting services within HHS has generally seen fluctuations driven by agency priorities, legislative mandates, and budget allocations. While specific figures for this exact NAICS code (541611) across HHS are not immediately available without detailed data queries, the trend across federal agencies indicates a consistent demand for such services, particularly in areas like healthcare policy, program implementation, data analytics, and operational efficiency. Periods of significant healthcare reform or the introduction of new federal programs often correlate with increased spending in this category. The COVID-19 pandemic also likely influenced spending patterns, potentially increasing demand for consulting related to public health response and healthcare system management.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 13TH ST NW FL 3, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,795,919

Exercised Options: $2,795,919

Current Obligation: $2,795,919

Actual Outlays: $1,304,762

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0012Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline