NIH Peer Review Support Contract Awarded to Highlight Technologies for $21.16M, Covering 4 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,159,662 ($21.2M)

Contractor: Highlight Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-08-09

End Date: 2025-08-08

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH) PEER REVIEW PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $21.2 million to HIGHLIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH) PEER REVIEW PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Highlight Technologies, Inc. for administrative and support services. 2. The contract is for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Peer Review Program. 3. It was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. The contract duration is approximately 4 years, with a total value of $21.16 million. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $21.16 million over four years suggests a reasonable annual spend of approximately $5.29 million. This appears to be in line with typical support service contracts for large federal agencies, though specific benchmarks for NIH peer review support are not readily available.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was open, certain sources were excluded, potentially narrowing the field. The pricing discovery mechanism is not detailed, but open competition generally promotes competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition, even with exclusions, aims to secure competitive pricing, thereby maximizing taxpayer value for essential administrative support services.

Public Impact

Ensures the integrity and efficiency of the NIH peer review process, crucial for scientific grant funding. Supports the evaluation of research proposals, impacting the direction of scientific discovery. Provides essential administrative functions that allow NIH scientists to focus on research. The contract's success directly influences the timely disbursement of research grants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential impact of source exclusion on competition.
Clarity on performance metrics and service level agreements.
Long-term sustainability of support services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process.
Supports a critical government function (NIH research funding).
Clear contract duration and value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under administrative and support services, specifically related to computer systems design and related services. Spending in this sector for federal agencies is substantial, supporting various IT and operational functions. Benchmarks for similar IT support contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that Highlight Technologies, Inc. is the awardee. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting opportunities within this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. Oversight would typically involve contract officers, program managers, and potentially agency inspectors general to ensure performance and compliance.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions.
Need for ongoing monitoring of service quality and cost-effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $21.2 million to HIGHLIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH) PEER REVIEW PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HIGHLIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-09. End: 2025-08-08.

What specific administrative and support services are included under this contract, and how do they directly contribute to the efficiency of the NIH peer review process?

The contract covers administrative and support services for the NIH Peer Review Program. While specific details are not provided, these services likely include logistical support, data management, scheduling, communication, and potentially technical assistance related to the peer review system. These functions are critical for ensuring that grant applications are processed efficiently, reviewers are assigned appropriately, and the overall integrity of the scientific evaluation process is maintained, allowing NIH to effectively allocate research funding.

Given the 'exclusion of sources' clause, what is the potential impact on competition and the final pricing achieved for these essential support services?

The 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain potential bidders were pre-emptively disqualified or not considered. This could limit the number of competitive offers received, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The impact on final pricing depends on the number and competitiveness of the remaining bidders and the specific criteria used for exclusion.

How will the effectiveness of Highlight Technologies, Inc. in providing these services be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

The effectiveness of Highlight Technologies, Inc. will likely be measured through a combination of contractually defined performance standards and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These could include metrics such as timeliness of service delivery, accuracy of administrative tasks, responsiveness to NIH inquiries, and overall user satisfaction from program staff and reviewers. Specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data but are crucial for ensuring the contract meets its objectives and delivers value.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Highlight Technologies Inc.

Address: 9990 FAIRFAX BLVD STE 350, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,618,753

Exercised Options: $21,159,662

Current Obligation: $21,159,662

Actual Outlays: $21,159,662

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98119D00020

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline