HHS Awards $5.7M IT Security Contract to Richard S. Carson & Associates Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,686,223 ($5.7M)

Contractor: Richard S Carson & Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-04-13

End Date: 2026-04-12

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NHGRI IT SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5.7 million to RICHARD S CARSON & ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: NHGRI IT SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $5.7M for IT security support services. 2. Awarded to Richard S. Carson & Associates Inc. 3. Competition method was full and open. 4. Services are categorized under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.7M over 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT security support contracts would be necessary to fully assess pricing reasonableness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential contractors to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential IT security services, with the expectation that competition will ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures critical IT security for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Supports the mission of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Provides specialized computer-related services to a key federal agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics provided.
Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Contract supports vital cybersecurity functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. The annual spend of approximately $1.14M is moderate for federal IT security support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the contractor meets performance expectations and that labor hours are managed efficiently to stay within budget.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Potential for scope creep in labor-hour contracts.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical security services.
No indication of small business subcontracting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.7 million to RICHARD S CARSON & ASSOCIATES INC. NHGRI IT SECURITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RICHARD S CARSON & ASSOCIATES 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 $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-13. End: 2026-04-12.

What specific IT security services are included in this contract?

The contract details are limited, but it falls under 'Other Computer Related Services'. This typically encompasses a broad range of IT support, including network security, data protection, vulnerability assessments, incident response, and potentially cybersecurity consulting, tailored to the needs of NHGRI and NIH.

How does the pricing compare to similar federal IT security contracts?

Without specific details on the labor categories, rates, and the exact scope of services, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the total contract value of $5.7M over five years suggests an average annual spend of $1.14M. This is a moderate figure, and a detailed benchmark analysis against comparable contracts would be needed for a definitive assessment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined metrics related to response times, incident resolution rates, security posture improvements, and compliance adherence to ensure the contractor is delivering value and meeting security objectives.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 75N92021Q0045

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4410 PRINCE RD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20853

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,686,223

Exercised Options: $5,686,223

Current Obligation: $5,686,223

Actual Outlays: $5,005,012

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F274DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline