HHS awards $106.5K BPA Call to Northern Arizona University for professional development training

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $106,500 ($106.5K)

Contractor: Northern Arizona University

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-03-01

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BPA CALL NO. 75H70726F05005 TO ADD ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $105,000.00.

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87110

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $106,500 to NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY for work described as: BPA CALL NO. 75H70726F05005 TO ADD ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $105,000.00. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a modest increase to an existing agreement, suggesting incremental needs. 2. The training services are critical for enhancing staff capabilities within the Indian Health Service. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The award is a single call against a broader Blanket Purchase Agreement, indicating a structured procurement approach. 5. Performance period extends over five years, allowing for sustained skill development. 6. Geographic location of the contractor in New Mexico may influence local workforce engagement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $106,500 for professional development training over five years appears reasonable, especially considering it's an add-on to an existing BPA. Without specific per-unit costs for training sessions or attendees, a direct benchmark is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the costs were determined upfront and are not expected to fluctuate significantly, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a procurement valued below the threshold for full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP allows for a streamlined process that can still involve multiple quotes, aiming for fair pricing. The use of SAP suggests the agency sought efficiency for a relatively small dollar amount.

Taxpayer Impact: Using SAP for this award likely resulted in administrative cost savings for the government compared to a full competitive process. It ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently for smaller procurements while still seeking competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Indian Health Service will benefit from enhanced professional development. Services delivered include professional and management development training, aimed at improving operational effectiveness. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting the IHS mission across its service areas. Workforce implications include upskilling and professional growth for federal employees.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited transparency on the specific training modules and their direct impact on performance metrics.
Potential for vendor lock-in if the BPA is heavily utilized for ongoing training needs.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Long-term performance period allows for sustained skill development and relationship building.
Award to an established educational institution (Northern Arizona University) suggests a reliable provider.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on training and development. The federal government is a significant purchaser of such services to maintain and enhance the skills of its workforce. Comparable spending benchmarks for professional development training can vary widely based on the subject matter, duration, and number of participants, but this award appears to be a modest investment for specialized training.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this BPA Call (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is likely minimal unless Northern Arizona University engages them as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of Health and Human Services' contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature simplifies financial oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Training Programs
Federal Employee Professional Development
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Professional and Management Development Services

Risk Flags

Potential for training to become outdated over the 5-year period.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the award data.
Limited information on the number of bidders during the SAP competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $106,500 to NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY. BPA CALL NO. 75H70726F05005 TO ADD ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $105,000.00.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $106,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-01. End: 2027-02-28.

What is the track record of Northern Arizona University in delivering federal training contracts?

Northern Arizona University (NAU) has a history of engaging in federal contracts, often related to research, education, and specialized services. While specific details on their federal training contract performance require a deeper dive into contract databases, their status as a state university suggests established administrative and academic capabilities. For this particular contract, the award is a BPA Call, indicating it builds upon an existing framework. Assessing NAU's broader federal track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, on-time delivery rates, and client satisfaction across similar government engagements to ensure they meet the specific needs of the Indian Health Service.

How does the cost of this training compare to similar federal contracts for professional development?

Benchmarking the cost of this $106,500 BPA Call for professional development training over five years is challenging without granular data on the specific services provided (e.g., number of courses, attendees, duration, subject matter). Federal training costs can vary significantly. However, the firm-fixed-price structure is a positive sign for value, as it caps the government's expenditure. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar training objectives, target audiences (e.g., healthcare professionals), and delivery methods (e.g., in-person, online) awarded by agencies like HHS or other departments with comparable workforce development needs.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential underutilization of the training services, leading to suboptimal return on investment, and the risk that the training may not perfectly align with evolving IHS needs over the five-year period. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure: the firm-fixed-price nature controls costs, and the BPA Call mechanism allows for flexibility in ordering services as needed. The five-year duration, while providing continuity, also necessitates ongoing communication between IHS and Northern Arizona University to ensure training content remains relevant. Performance monitoring by the contracting officer is crucial to ensure objectives are met.

How effective is this type of training likely to be in improving the performance of Indian Health Service staff?

The effectiveness of professional and management development training is contingent on several factors, including the quality of the curriculum, the expertise of the instructors, the engagement of the participants, and the subsequent application of learned skills in the workplace. For the Indian Health Service (IHS), such training can be highly effective if tailored to the unique challenges and operational context of delivering healthcare in tribal communities. Improvements could manifest as enhanced leadership, better administrative processes, and more efficient service delivery. However, effectiveness is best measured through post-training assessments, employee feedback, and observable changes in job performance and program outcomes, which are not detailed in the award data.

What are the historical spending patterns for professional development training within the Indian Health Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for professional development training within the Indian Health Service (IHS) would require examining past contract awards and obligations over several fiscal years. This BPA Call, totaling $106,500 over five years, represents a relatively small portion of the IHS's overall budget. Historically, IHS, like other federal health agencies, invests in training to ensure its workforce stays current with medical advancements, regulatory changes, and management best practices. Understanding past spending would reveal trends in the types of training procured, the primary contractors, and the average award values, providing context for the current award's scale and scope.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arizona Board of Regents

Address: 601 S KNOLES DR ROOM 220, FLAGSTAFF, AZ, 86011

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government, School of Forestry

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $106,500

Exercised Options: $106,500

Current Obligation: $106,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75H70722A00013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline