NIBIB awards $2.6M for guidance document support, with The Efficiency Group LLC managing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,599,814 ($2.6M)

Contractor: THE Efficiency Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-07-10

End Date: 2026-06-15

Contract Duration: 1,071 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NIBIB GUIDANCE DOCUMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.6 million to THE EFFICIENCY GROUP LLC for work described as: NIBIB GUIDANCE DOCUMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of professional and management development training services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is structured as Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed diligently. 4. Performance is expected over 1071 days, indicating a medium-term engagement. 5. The contract falls under professional and management development training, a common service area for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.6 million for nearly three years of service appears to be within a reasonable range for professional and management development training. Benchmarking against similar contracts for guidance document support and training services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common, necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the expected value and scope of work. Without specific performance metrics or deliverables, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging, but the overall value seems fair given the duration and nature of the services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of a single award (no: 1) suggests that The Efficiency Group LLC was the selected contractor from a pool of potential bidders. The level of competition, while open, does not specify the number of bids received, which is crucial for understanding the intensity of the competition and its potential impact on pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better quality services. It ensures that the government explores a wide range of options before selecting a contractor.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from this contract through enhanced support for its guidance documents. Services delivered include professional and management development training, crucial for agency operations. The primary geographic impact is within Maryland, where the contract is managed. Workforce implications include potential training opportunities for NIH staff and support for the contractor's personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess efficiency.
The duration of the contract (1071 days) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract supports critical functions related to guidance document development and dissemination.
The contractor, The Efficiency Group LLC, is tasked with providing professional and management development training.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on management consulting and training. This sector is characterized by a wide range of firms, from large consultancies to specialized small businesses. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting various agency functions from strategic planning to operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing contracts for similar training and document support services across different federal agencies, considering factors like contract duration, scope, and pricing models.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor, The Efficiency Group LLC, voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors, which is not specified in the data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract awards. The Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

NIH Guidance Document Development
Federal Training and Development Programs
Professional Services Contracts
Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type carries inherent cost risk.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the award data.
Potential for scope creep without rigorous oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.6 million to THE EFFICIENCY GROUP LLC. NIBIB GUIDANCE DOCUMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE EFFICIENCY GROUP LLC.

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 $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-10. End: 2026-06-15.

What is the track record of The Efficiency Group LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

A comprehensive review of The Efficiency Group LLC's past performance in federal contracting would involve analyzing their award history, contract values, agencies served, and performance evaluations. Without access to detailed performance data or past performance questionnaires, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record. However, their selection for this contract by the National Institutes of Health suggests they met the agency's requirements and demonstrated capability. Further investigation into their contract completion rates, any past disputes or terminations, and client feedback would provide a more robust understanding of their reliability and expertise in delivering professional and management development training services.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar guidance document support contracts?

The awarded amount of approximately $2.6 million for 1071 days (roughly 3 years) for guidance document support and training services provides a baseline for comparison. To assess value for money, this figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts of similar scope, duration, and complexity awarded by other federal agencies. Factors such as the specific deliverables, the level of expertise required, and the prevailing market rates for professional and management development training are critical. If comparable contracts for similar services are significantly lower or higher, it would indicate whether this award represents a particularly good or poor value. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure also influences this comparison, as T&M contracts can vary widely in final cost based on actual hours worked.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract?

The primary risk associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, or if project management is weak, the contractor may incur more hours or use more resources than initially anticipated, leading to a higher final cost than budgeted. To mitigate this risk, the government must implement robust oversight, closely monitor labor hours and material costs, and ensure that the statement of work is precise and well-managed. Regular reviews and clear communication channels are essential to keep the project on track and within financial expectations.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach for this type of service?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring fair and competitive pricing and maximizing the pool of potential contractors for services like guidance document support and training. It allows all responsible businesses, regardless of size or previous government contracting experience, to submit proposals. This broad competition can drive innovation, improve service quality, and potentially lower costs for the government. However, the effectiveness is contingent on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the number of qualified bids received. If only a few bids are submitted, the competitive pressure might be less intense than anticipated.

What is the historical spending pattern for guidance document support services at NIH?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for guidance document support services at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) would involve examining past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, dominant contractors, and the prevalence of different contract types (e.g., T&M vs. fixed-price). Understanding these patterns can help identify whether spending on these services has been increasing or decreasing, whether specific contractors have consistently received awards, and if the agency typically uses competitive or sole-source procurements. Such analysis is crucial for budgeting, strategic sourcing, and assessing the long-term cost-effectiveness of NIH's approach to acquiring these support services.

What are the potential performance challenges for The Efficiency Group LLC on this contract?

Potential performance challenges for The Efficiency Group LLC on this contract could stem from several factors. Firstly, managing a Time and Materials contract effectively requires meticulous tracking of labor hours and resource allocation to avoid scope creep and cost overruns, which can be demanding. Secondly, ensuring consistent quality and relevance of professional and management development training over the contract's 1071-day duration requires adaptability to evolving agency needs and best practices. Thirdly, maintaining strong communication and collaboration with NIH stakeholders to accurately interpret and support guidance document requirements is critical. Finally, navigating any unforeseen complexities in the guidance document development process or internal NIH procedures could present hurdles that require agile problem-solving.

Industry Classification

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

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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4649 4TH ST S, ARLINGTON, VA, 22204

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,599,814

Exercised Options: $2,599,814

Current Obligation: $2,599,814

Actual Outlays: $2,136,179

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA19D0029

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline