NIH Awards $22M Cloud Platform Contract to Masai Technologies for 5 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,041,090 ($22.0M)

Contractor: Masai Technologies Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-05-05

End Date: 2026-05-06

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NIH OM ENTERPRISE CLOUD PLATFORM IWMS & IT APPLICATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21701

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $22.0 million to MASAI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION for work described as: NIH OM ENTERPRISE CLOUD PLATFORM IWMS & IT APPLICATIONS Key points: 1. Contract value of $22.04 million over 5 years. 2. Masai Technologies Corporation is the sole awardee. 3. Potential risks include vendor lock-in and limited competition. 4. Spending falls within IT services, specifically computer systems design.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. Benchmarking against similar cloud platform contracts is difficult without more detailed scope information.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition. This method may not yield the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible value for this significant IT investment.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and enhancement of NIH's Enterprise Cloud Platform. Supports critical IT applications for the National Institutes of Health. Impacts researchers and healthcare professionals relying on NIH systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may result in higher costs.
Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost uncertainty.
Vendor lock-in risk with a single provider.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for cloud infrastructure.
Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT services, specifically computer systems design. The $22 million value over five years is moderate for enterprise-level cloud solutions, but benchmarks vary widely based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Masai Technologies Corporation, is not identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger agreement. Oversight would typically involve program managers within NIH ensuring performance and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Time and Materials contract type poses cost control challenges.
Lack of small business participation.
Potential for vendor lock-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $22.0 million to MASAI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. NIH OM ENTERPRISE CLOUD PLATFORM IWMS & IT APPLICATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MASAI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION.

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 $22.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-05. End: 2026-05-06.

What specific cloud services are included in this contract, and how do they align with NIH's strategic IT goals?

The contract covers the NIH Enterprise Cloud Platform IWMS & IT Applications, managed by Masai Technologies. While the specific services aren't detailed, it implies comprehensive support for cloud infrastructure and related applications. Alignment with strategic goals would require examining NIH's IT modernization plans and how this platform contributes to scalability, security, and data accessibility for research and health initiatives.

What measures are in place to mitigate the risks associated with a limited competition and Time and Materials pricing structure?

Mitigation strategies for limited competition and T&M pricing typically involve robust contract surveillance, clear performance metrics, and defined cost ceilings. NIH should actively monitor Masai Technologies' performance, regularly review invoices for reasonableness, and ensure adherence to the Statement of Work. Establishing clear milestones and deliverables can also help control costs and ensure value delivery.

How will the effectiveness of this cloud platform be measured to ensure it meets NIH's operational and research needs?

Effectiveness is usually measured through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to system uptime, application performance, security compliance, and user satisfaction. NIH should establish baseline metrics and track progress against them throughout the contract period. Regular performance reviews with Masai Technologies, incorporating feedback from end-users, will be crucial for assessing and ensuring the platform's ongoing effectiveness.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 75N98121R0002

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 203 BROADWAY ST # 1, FREDERICK, MD, 21701

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,065,578

Exercised Options: $27,077,167

Current Obligation: $22,041,090

Actual Outlays: $21,105,711

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98118D00050

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline