HHS awards $1M+ contract for scientific consulting, with a significant portion allocated for future task orders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,021,387 ($1.0M)

Contractor: GAP Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-07-08

End Date: 2027-06-20

Contract Duration: 2,173 days

Daily Burn Rate: $470/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SOAR - TO345_75N95025F00023

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $1.0 million to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: SOAR - TO345_75N95025F00023 Key points: 1. Contract value suggests a need for specialized scientific expertise. 2. The contract's duration indicates a long-term requirement for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost predictability. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The specific scientific and technical consulting services are crucial for NIH's research mission. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the context of federal scientific services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1.02 million for a base period ending in June 2027 appears reasonable for specialized scientific consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical consulting at NIH would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government when requirements are well-defined, potentially leading to better cost control compared to cost-reimbursement contracts.

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 number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions for the government. The agency likely sought to maximize competition to ensure the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive prices, preventing potential overspending and ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research programs, which will receive essential scientific consulting services. The services delivered will support various scientific and technical initiatives within NIH. The geographic impact is primarily focused on NIH facilities, likely in Maryland. Workforce implications may include the need for highly skilled scientific consultants, potentially creating opportunities for specialized firms and individuals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial requirements are not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical scientific support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration allows for sustained support of research initiatives.

Sector Analysis

The scientific and technical consulting services sector is a vital component of the federal procurement landscape, supporting a wide range of government agencies, particularly those involved in research and development. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category, which is a significant area of federal spending. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar consulting services at NIH and other research-intensive agencies would provide further context on the scale and pricing of this award.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, the nature of specialized scientific consulting may lend itself to opportunities for small businesses as subcontractors if the prime contractor has a robust subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the National Institutes of Health. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to award details.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Support Contracts
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Federal Health IT Services
Biomedical Research Support

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope in consulting services
Contractor performance risk over long duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $1.0 million to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC.. SOAR - TO345_75N95025F00023

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 $1.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-07-08. End: 2027-06-20.

What is the specific nature of the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' being provided under this contract?

The contract NAICS code 541690, 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' is broad and encompasses a wide array of specialized advisory and assistance services. For this specific contract with GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these services likely pertain to supporting NIH's extensive research and development activities. This could include areas such as bioinformatics, data analysis, research methodology consultation, regulatory compliance advice, or technical program management support for specific scientific initiatives. Without further details from the contract's statement of work, the precise nature remains general, but it is clearly tied to advancing NIH's mission in health research.

How does the awarded amount of approximately $1.02 million compare to typical contract values for similar scientific consulting services at NIH?

The awarded amount of approximately $1.02 million for the base period and potential future task orders represents a moderate-sized contract within the federal scientific consulting space. NIH, being a major research funding and performing agency, awards numerous contracts for scientific and technical support. Values can range from tens of thousands for highly specialized, short-term tasks to hundreds of millions for large-scale research support or program management. This $1M+ award suggests a significant, but not massive, requirement for ongoing consulting expertise. A direct comparison would require analyzing contracts with similar NAICS codes and durations awarded by NIH over the past few years to establish a precise benchmark for value-for-money.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for scientific consulting services?

While firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally favored for cost control, they can introduce risks, particularly in scientific consulting where project requirements might evolve. If the scope of work is not meticulously defined upfront, the contractor may face challenges in delivering the required services within the fixed price, potentially leading to disputes or a reduction in the quality or completeness of deliverables. Conversely, if the government's requirements change significantly, a change order process would be necessary, which could increase the overall cost. The risk lies in accurately anticipating all necessary services and potential scientific uncertainties at the time of contract award.

What is the track record of GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. in performing federal contracts, particularly for scientific consulting?

Assessing the track record of GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. requires examining their past performance on federal contracts. Publicly available data, such as through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or contractor performance assessment reporting tools, would reveal their history of successful contract completions, any past performance issues, and their experience with similar types of services and agencies. A review of their past performance ratings and any documented disputes or terminations would provide insight into their reliability and capability to execute this NIH contract effectively. Without specific performance data, it's assumed they met the qualifications for this competitive award.

How does the contract duration of approximately 5 years (July 2021 - June 2027) impact the assessment of this award?

The contract duration of nearly five years (including potential option periods) indicates a sustained and ongoing need for the scientific consulting services by the National Institutes of Health. This long-term commitment suggests that the services are integral to the agency's strategic objectives or operational continuity. For the contractor, it provides a stable revenue stream. From an oversight perspective, a longer duration necessitates consistent monitoring of performance and adherence to contract terms to ensure continued value and alignment with evolving research priorities. It also allows for the development of a deeper understanding of NIH's specific needs by the contractor.

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: 1

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: $1,021,387

Exercised Options: $1,021,387

Current Obligation: $1,021,387

Actual Outlays: $436,588

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