HHS Awards $35.2M Task Order for ARPA-H Talent Services to Strategic Analysis, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,206,566 ($35.2M)

Contractor: Strategic Analysis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-04-17

End Date: 2025-01-31

Contract Duration: 655 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: FSS STRATEGIC TECHNICAL ARPA-H TALENT SERVICES (STATS) TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $35.2 million to STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, INC. for work described as: FSS STRATEGIC TECHNICAL ARPA-H TALENT SERVICES (STATS) TASK ORDER Key points: 1. The task order, valued at $35.2 million, focuses on strategic technical talent services for ARPA-H. 2. Strategic Analysis, Inc. is the sole awardee under a full and open competition. 3. The contract duration extends to January 2025, indicating a medium-term project. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing could pose a risk if not closely managed.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award is a task order under a larger contract. Without knowing the ceiling of the parent contract or other comparable task orders for similar services, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the base value is substantial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted through funding for critical research and development initiatives via ARPA-H, with the expectation of innovative outcomes.

Public Impact

Supports ARPA-H's mission to accelerate breakthrough biomedical research. Provides specialized talent crucial for managing complex, high-impact projects. Potential for advancements in healthcare and disease treatment. Funds are allocated to a specific agency initiative, not broad R&D.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure
Potential for scope creep without strict oversight
Reliance on a single contractor for critical talent

Positive Signals

Supports a high-priority government initiative (ARPA-H)
Awarded through full and open competition
Clear defined period of performance

Sector Analysis

This award falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced research and development through specialized talent acquisition. Benchmarks for similar R&D talent services can vary widely based on specialization and project complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this is a task order awarded to Strategic Analysis, Inc. There is no explicit mention of small business participation in this specific task order, and the 'sb' field is false, suggesting small businesses were not primary awardees.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to ensure the effective utilization of funds and the successful completion of objectives under this Time and Materials contract. The agency's program management will be key to accountability.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type
Potential for cost overruns
Lack of specific small business participation noted
Medium-term duration with potential for follow-on needs
Reliance on a single vendor for critical talent

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $35.2 million to STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, INC.. FSS STRATEGIC TECHNICAL ARPA-H TALENT SERVICES (STATS) TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, 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 $35.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-17. End: 2025-01-31.

How does the cost of these specialized talent services compare to industry benchmarks for similar ARPA-H-level projects?

A precise comparison is challenging without access to the parent contract's ceiling or data on other comparable task orders. However, the $35.2 million award suggests a significant investment in specialized expertise. Further analysis would require benchmarking against contracts for high-level scientific and technical program management within advanced research agencies.

What are the specific risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model for this task order?

The primary risk with T&M is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Without a fixed ceiling or detailed labor hour estimates, the contractor could incur higher costs than anticipated, leading to increased spending. Robust oversight and clear task definitions are essential to mitigate this risk.

How effectively will Strategic Analysis, Inc. contribute to ARPA-H's mission given the nature of this task order?

The task order focuses on providing strategic technical talent, which is crucial for managing and executing ARPA-H's ambitious research goals. The success will depend on the quality of personnel provided by Strategic Analysis, Inc. and the agency's ability to direct their efforts effectively towards achieving breakthrough biomedical innovations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4075 WILSON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,206,566

Exercised Options: $35,206,566

Current Obligation: $35,206,566

Actual Outlays: $35,059,385

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 9

Total Subaward Amount: $9,544,065

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F342CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline