HHS awards $11.2M contract for project management support to Noblis, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,119,969 ($11.1M)

Contractor: Noblis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-05-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE PROJECT MANAGEMENT ADVICE, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO FACILITATE CONSISTENT AND EFFECTIVE PLANNING, CONTROL, AND MONITORING OF THE PROGRESS AND STATUS OF MISSION-CRITICAL PROJECTS BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE AGENCY.

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $11.1 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE PROJECT MANAGEMENT ADVICE, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO FACILITATE CONSISTENT AND EFFECTIVE PLANNING, CONTROL, AND MONITORING OF THE PROGRESS AND STATUS OF MISSION-CRITICAL PROJECTS BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE AGENCY. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on enhancing planning, control, and monitoring of mission-critical projects. 2. Noblis, Inc. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is one year, with a firm-fixed-price structure. 4. This award represents a single delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 5. The service category is 'Other Computer Related Services', indicating a broad IT support function. 6. The contract is valued at approximately $11.2 million for the specified period.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.2 million for one year of project management support appears reasonable given the scope of providing guidance for mission-critical projects. Benchmarking against similar IT support services contracts within the federal government suggests this pricing is within expected ranges for specialized project management assistance. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency, although it places the risk of cost overruns on the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market where contractors are incentivized to offer competitive pricing and high-quality services to win awards.

Public Impact

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will benefit from improved project oversight. Services delivered include project management advice, guidance, and support. The geographic impact is primarily within CMS operations, likely centered in Virginia where the contractor is located. The contract supports the agency's ability to effectively manage its mission-critical initiatives, indirectly impacting healthcare policy implementation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if project management support extends beyond defined mission-critical initiatives.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical project guidance could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring consistent application of guidance across diverse mission-critical projects requires strong agency oversight.

Positive Signals

Noblis, Inc. has a track record of providing professional services to government agencies.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for the agency.
Awarding through full and open competition suggests a competitive selection process.
The contract duration of one year allows for periodic reassessment of needs and performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' sector, a broad category encompassing IT consulting and support. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in project management and technical support to ensure the successful execution of complex initiatives. This contract aligns with the government's ongoing need for specialized expertise to manage its technology-dependent programs, particularly within large agencies like HHS.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside criterion for this particular award. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this contract is likely minimal unless Noblis, Inc. engages them as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting plans and their potential benefit to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within CMS, responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring adherence to contract terms. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Accountability rests with Noblis, Inc. to deliver the specified project management support, and with CMS to manage the contract effectively. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

IT Project Management Support Services
Management and Consulting Services
Federal IT Services
Agency Program Management

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks deep understanding of CMS mission-critical projects.
Risk of cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed, despite firm-fixed-price.
Over-reliance on a single vendor for critical project guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $11.1 million to NOBLIS, INC.. PROVIDE PROJECT MANAGEMENT ADVICE, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO FACILITATE CONSISTENT AND EFFECTIVE PLANNING, CONTROL, AND MONITORING OF THE PROGRESS AND STATUS OF MISSION-CRITICAL PROJECTS BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE AGENCY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, 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 $11.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is Noblis, Inc.'s past performance record with the federal government, particularly in providing project management support?

Noblis, Inc. has a significant history of contracting with the U.S. federal government across various agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Defense, and NASA. Their portfolio often includes complex technical services, research and development support, and program management. While specific performance ratings for this exact type of project management support are not detailed in the provided data, their extensive federal contracting history suggests a baseline level of experience. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations, available through sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or agency-specific CPARS reports, would offer more granular insights into their reliability and effectiveness in similar engagements.

How does the $11.2 million contract value compare to similar project management support contracts awarded by HHS or CMS?

The $11.2 million contract value for one year of project management support is within a typical range for specialized IT and program management services within large federal agencies like HHS. Comparable contracts for similar scope and duration can vary significantly based on the complexity of the projects being supported, the specific expertise required, and the level of effort involved. For instance, contracts supporting highly complex, multi-billion dollar IT modernization efforts might command higher annual values, while those focused on more defined project portfolios could be lower. Without specific details on the 'mission-critical projects' supported, a precise benchmark is difficult, but the amount suggests a substantial need for dedicated project management expertise.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential misalignment between the contractor's project management guidance and the agency's evolving needs, leading to inefficiencies. Another risk is the contractor's ability to effectively manage diverse and complex mission-critical projects across different CMS programs. Performance degradation over the contract term is also a concern. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust oversight by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), clear performance metrics defined in the contract, regular progress reviews, and the firm-fixed-price structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. The one-year duration also allows for timely intervention or re-competition if issues arise.

How effective is the 'Other Computer Related Services' classification in describing the scope of work for this contract?

The 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS code 541519) classification is broad and serves as a catch-all for computer-related services not specified elsewhere. While it accurately reflects that the contract involves IT support, it doesn't fully capture the specialized nature of 'project management advice, guidance, and support services.' A more specific classification might have been 'Management Consulting Services' (541611) or 'Computer Systems Design Services' (541512) if the focus was more on system integration. However, given the emphasis on planning, control, and monitoring of projects, the current classification is acceptable, though it necessitates a thorough review of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) to understand the precise deliverables and expertise required.

What are the historical spending patterns for project management support services at CMS or HHS?

Historical spending patterns for project management support services at CMS and HHS are generally substantial, reflecting the agency's role in managing complex healthcare programs and IT systems. Agencies of this size consistently require significant investment in program and project management to ensure the successful implementation and oversight of initiatives like Medicare, Medicaid, and health IT infrastructure. Spending in this area often fluctuates based on the initiation of new large-scale projects, system modernization efforts, or shifts in policy implementation. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of contractors engaged, providing context for the current $11.2 million award.

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

Solicitation ID: 75FCMC25QJ024

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 620 DISCOVERY DRIVE NW, BUILDING 2, SUITE 205, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

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: $11,656,643

Exercised Options: $11,119,969

Current Obligation: $11,119,969

Actual Outlays: $7,261,430

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $1,674,038

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0590W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline