NIH awards $1.53M SOAR contract to Gap Solutions, Inc. for consulting services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,531,176 ($1.5M)
Contractor: GAP Solutions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2021-07-08
End Date: 2026-06-21
Contract Duration: 1,809 days
Daily Burn Rate: $846/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SCIENTIFIC, OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES (SOAR) TO THE NIH
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $1.5 million to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: SCIENTIFIC, OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES (SOAR) TO THE NIH Key points: 1. Contract value of $1.53M over 5 years. 2. Competition method was full and open. 3. Risk is moderate due to contract duration and service type. 4. Sector is professional services, specifically scientific and technical consulting.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $1.53M over nearly 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar consulting 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 under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential scientific and administrative support services at NIH.
Public Impact
Supports critical scientific and administrative operations at the National Institutes of Health. Ensures continuity of essential services for research and public health initiatives. Contract duration of nearly 5 years provides stability for NIH operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 84 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to price increases over time.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract type limits cost overrun risk.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Spending in this area is crucial for government research and development functions, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific expertise required.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award, as the vendor is not identified as a small business and the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the National Institutes of Health, a major agency within HHS. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts would apply, including performance monitoring and financial accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Service type is consulting, which can be subjective to measure effectiveness.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $1.5 million to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC.. SCIENTIFIC, OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES (SOAR) TO THE NIH
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GAP SOLUTIONS, 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 $1.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-07-08. End: 2026-06-21.
What is the specific nature of the 'Scientific, Operations and Administrative Resources (SOAR)' services provided under this contract?
The SOAR contract likely encompasses a range of support functions critical to NIH's mission. This could include project management, data analysis, administrative support, scientific coordination, and operational logistics necessary for research and public health programs. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's statement of work.
How does the benchmark pricing for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' compare to this contract's estimated annual spend?
Without specific details on the services rendered and the labor categories involved, a precise benchmark comparison is difficult. However, the annual spend of approximately $300k for consulting services appears moderate for a federal agency like NIH. A detailed analysis of comparable contracts would be needed for a definitive assessment.
What are the potential risks associated with a nearly 5-year contract for consulting services, even with a firm fixed price?
Even with a firm fixed price, risks include potential scope creep if not managed tightly, vendor lock-in, and the possibility that the fixed price may become uncompetitive over the contract's long duration, especially if market rates for similar services increase significantly. Ensuring clear performance metrics and regular reviews is crucial.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
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: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 205 VAN BUREN ST STE 205, HERNDON, VA, 20170
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,531,176
Exercised Options: $1,531,176
Current Obligation: $1,531,176
Actual Outlays: $842,772
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N95021D00011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-07-08
Current End Date: 2026-06-21
Potential End Date: 2026-06-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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