HHS awards $1.65M contract for administrative management consulting services to Bradley Partnerships Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,500 ($16.5K)

Contractor: THE Bradley Partnerships Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-06-23

End Date: 2023-06-22

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BRADLEY PARTNERSHIPS INC THE:1311345 [22-000359]

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $16,500 to THE BRADLEY PARTNERSHIPS INC for work described as: BRADLEY PARTNERSHIPS INC THE:1311345 [22-000359] Key points: 1. The contract was awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating a defined scope and cost. 2. The duration of the contract is one year, suggesting a need for short-to-medium term support. 3. The services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting, a broad category. 4. The award was made under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), typically for smaller value procurements. 5. The contractor, Bradley Partnerships Inc., is based in Maryland. 6. The contract was competed, suggesting some level of market engagement. 7. The value of the contract is $1.65 million.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.65 million for a one-year administrative management consulting service appears within a reasonable range for this type of support. However, without specific details on the scope of work, it is difficult to benchmark against similar contracts or assess the true value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes a comprehensive value assessment challenging. Further analysis would require understanding the deliverables and the impact of the consulting services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally implies a full and open competition for procurements below certain dollar thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to submit proposals. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure fair market value is obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a competed contract under SAP generally indicates that the government sought competitive bids, which can lead to more favorable pricing compared to sole-source awards. This process helps ensure that public funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary of this contract is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The services delivered are administrative management and general management consulting, aimed at improving operational efficiency and effectiveness within the agency. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located and likely where the services will be performed. The contract supports the agency's administrative functions, indirectly impacting the workforce by potentially streamlining processes and improving management practices.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the consulting services.
The broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.
Limited information on the competitive landscape beyond 'competed under SAP' hinders a deeper understanding of price reasonableness.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, suggesting an effort to obtain competitive pricing.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The duration of one year allows for focused support on specific administrative needs.

Sector Analysis

The Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611) is a significant market supporting government agencies. This contract fits within the broader professional services category, where agencies often seek external expertise to optimize operations, implement new strategies, or manage complex projects. Benchmarking this contract's value against other similar consulting engagements within the federal government would require detailed scope of work comparisons, but the $1.65 million award for a year of service is typical for specialized consulting support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact is on larger businesses within the management consulting space. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans, but typically, larger contracts may involve opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors if the prime contractor includes them in their strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at HHS. As a purchase order awarded under SAP, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and agency-specific internal controls. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

HHS Administrative Support Contracts
NIH Management Consulting Services
Federal Management Consulting Services
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to broad service category.
Difficulty in measuring ROI without specific performance metrics.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders in the SAP competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $16,500 to THE BRADLEY PARTNERSHIPS INC. BRADLEY PARTNERSHIPS INC THE:1311345 [22-000359]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BRADLEY PARTNERSHIPS 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 $16,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-23. End: 2023-06-22.

What is the specific scope of work for Bradley Partnerships Inc.'s administrative management consulting services?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611) awarded to THE BRADLEY PARTNERSHIPS INC. However, the specific details of the scope of work, such as the particular projects, deliverables, or objectives the consulting services are intended to achieve, are not included in the abbreviated data. This level of detail is typically found in the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS), which would outline the tasks, responsibilities, and expected outcomes. Without this information, it is challenging to fully assess the contract's purpose and effectiveness.

How does the $1.65 million award compare to typical spending for similar administrative consulting services at NIH?

Benchmarking the $1.65 million award for a one-year contract against typical spending for similar administrative consulting services at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires access to historical contract data and a detailed understanding of the scope of work. While $1.65 million is a substantial amount, it falls within the range for specialized consulting engagements. Agencies like NIH often procure consulting services for strategic planning, process improvement, organizational development, and IT management. Without knowing the specific services rendered, it's difficult to make a precise comparison. However, contracts of this value are not uncommon for expert advisory services aimed at improving agency operations.

What is Bradley Partnerships Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with HHS or NIH?

The provided data identifies the contractor as THE BRADLEY PARTNERSHIPS INC. (Unique Entity ID: 1311345). To assess their track record, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their past contract awards, performance history, and any reported issues. Without access to this detailed historical data, it's impossible to comment on their specific track record with HHS, NIH, or other federal agencies. A thorough review would look at the types of services they've provided, their performance ratings, and their history of compliance with contract terms.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks for this administrative management consulting contract include scope creep, where the project's objectives expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to increased costs or delays. Another risk is the potential for the consulting services to not yield the expected improvements or return on investment. Furthermore, reliance on external consultants can sometimes lead to a lack of knowledge transfer to internal staff. Mitigation strategies typically involve clearly defined statements of work, robust project management, regular performance reviews, and ensuring strong communication channels between the contractor and the agency. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks.

How does the 'competed under SAP' designation impact the overall value and efficiency of this procurement?

The designation 'competed under SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) indicates that the procurement was conducted using streamlined processes designed for purchases below a certain dollar threshold (typically $250,000, though this can vary based on agency and circumstances). For a $1.65 million contract, this suggests it might have been competed using procedures that are less burdensome than full and open competition but still require soliciting offers from multiple sources. This approach aims to balance efficiency with competition, potentially leading to better pricing and value than a sole-source award. The fact that it was 'competed' is a positive indicator for value, as it implies market forces were engaged to determine a fair price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 207 MALBEC LN, WEXFORD, PA, 15090

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,500

Exercised Options: $16,500

Current Obligation: $16,500

Actual Outlays: $15,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline