NICHD awards $25.9M for application and web development to Woodbourne Solutions Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,899,816 ($25.9M)

Contractor: Woodbourne Solutions Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2019-05-17

End Date: 2022-05-16

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NICHD APPLICATION AND WEB DEVELOPMENT

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $25.9 million to WOODBOURNE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED for work described as: NICHD APPLICATION AND WEB DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) indicates a medium-term engagement. 3. The primary service category is Custom Computer Programming Services, a common IT need. 4. The award was made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a major health research agency. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 6. The awardee, Woodbourne Solutions Inc., is based in Maryland.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $25.9 million over three years averages to approximately $8.6 million per year. Benchmarking this against similar custom computer programming contracts requires detailed analysis of scope and complexity. However, without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable relative to the work performed.

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 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions, but three bidders still provide a basis for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), which receives critical IT support for its applications and web presence. Services delivered include custom computer programming, essential for maintaining and enhancing the agency's digital infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located and likely where much of the development work is performed. Workforce implications include the employment of skilled IT professionals by Woodbourne Solutions Inc. to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Limited competition (3 bidders) may not have yielded the most cost-effective solution.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to gauge true value for money.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a broad range of potential contractors could participate.
The contract supports a critical research agency (NIH), indicating alignment with public health goals.
The contractor is based in Maryland, potentially supporting local IT employment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The market for such services is vast and highly competitive, with numerous firms offering development, maintenance, and support for government applications. The $25.9 million award over three years is a significant, but not extraordinary, sum for a federal agency's IT needs, reflecting the ongoing demand for specialized software development to support research and administrative functions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large businesses or those capable of competing at this scale were the primary participants. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in fulfilling parts of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the National Institutes of Health. Accountability measures are usually embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH IT Support Services
Custom Software Development Contracts
Federal Application Modernization
Health Research IT Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Moderate competition level (3 bidders) may not have maximized price discovery.
Lack of publicly available performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $25.9 million to WOODBOURNE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED. NICHD APPLICATION AND WEB DEVELOPMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WOODBOURNE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED.

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 $25.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-05-17. End: 2022-05-16.

What is the track record of Woodbourne Solutions Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with NIH?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Woodbourne Solutions Inc.'s track record. However, this specific award indicates they have successfully competed for and been awarded a significant contract by the NIH. Further analysis would involve examining past performance on similar contracts, any reported issues or awards, and their overall history with government agencies. Understanding their experience with Time and Materials contracts and their ability to manage scope and cost effectively would be crucial for evaluating their reliability on this project.

How does the $25.9 million value compare to similar NICHD or NIH IT development contracts?

To benchmark the $25.9 million value, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar services (custom computer programming, application development, web development) awarded by NICHD or other NIH institutes, as well as comparable agencies. Factors such as contract duration, number of bidders, specific technical requirements, and the pricing models used (e.g., fixed-price vs. T&M) are critical for a fair comparison. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts with granular data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average value. However, the three-year duration suggests an average annual value of approximately $8.6 million, which is substantial for specialized IT services.

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

The primary risk with a T&M contract of this magnitude ($25.9 million) is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. This necessitates robust oversight from the government to ensure that hours billed are reasonable and necessary, and that material costs are fair. Scope creep can also be a significant risk, as changes or additions to the project requirements can directly increase costs without a pre-negotiated price adjustment. Effective project management, clear communication, and strong government oversight are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring cost-effectiveness for custom programming services?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring cost-effectiveness in federal contracting, including for custom programming services. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the government maximizes the potential for receiving the lowest possible prices and the most innovative solutions. The presence of multiple bidders creates pressure on each firm to offer competitive pricing and demonstrate superior technical capabilities. While this contract had 3 bidders, which is a moderate level of competition, the principle remains that a competitive process is superior to sole-source or limited competition in driving value for taxpayers.

What are the implications of the contract being awarded to a Maryland-based company for the local economy?

Awarding this $25.9 million contract to Woodbourne Solutions Inc., a Maryland-based company, has positive implications for the local economy. It is likely to support existing jobs within the company and potentially lead to the creation of new positions for IT professionals, developers, and support staff in Maryland. Furthermore, the company's spending on local resources, supplies, and services could have a ripple effect, benefiting other businesses in the state. This type of federal contract can contribute to the growth and stability of the technology sector within Maryland.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined in the contract that indicate success?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or deliverables for this contract. Typically, such details are found within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). For a custom computer programming services contract, common metrics might include adherence to project timelines, successful deployment of software features, system uptime, bug resolution rates, and user satisfaction. Without these specific details, it is difficult to quantitatively assess the contractor's performance or the overall success of the project beyond the fact that the contract was awarded and is presumably being executed.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12800 MIDDLEBROOK RD STE 300, GERMANTOWN, MD, 20874

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,899,816

Exercised Options: $25,899,816

Current Obligation: $25,899,816

Actual Outlays: $7,944,938

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0482U

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline