HHS awards $2.96M for ITAS professional support, with a 2-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,963,454 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Mind Over Machines, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-02-27

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 732 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ITAS PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.0 million to MIND OVER MACHINES, INC. for work described as: ITAS PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for custom computer programming services, a key area for IT infrastructure. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 4. The award is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 5. The contractor, MIND OVER MACHINES, INC., has secured this specific task order. 6. The contract duration is 732 days, aligning with typical project timelines. 7. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating a broader competition scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $2.96 million for 732 days of service translates to approximately $4,050 per day. Benchmarking this against similar IT professional support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to manage costs upfront. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and required expertise against market rates for custom computer programming services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data indicates one award, but the competition level implies that multiple bids were likely solicited and evaluated. This approach generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offering from a range of potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a competitive environment, which can lead to lower prices and better quality services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. The services delivered are custom computer programming, crucial for maintaining and developing IT systems. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, where the contract is registered. The contract supports the IT workforce by engaging a professional services firm for specialized programming needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's past performance on similar contracts.
The 'custom computer programming' service description is broad and could encompass a wide range of complexities and associated costs.
The absence of small business set-aside information might indicate missed opportunities for smaller, specialized firms to participate.

Positive Signals

The contract is firm-fixed-price, which helps in budget predictability and cost control for the government.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract duration of 732 days provides a stable period for service delivery and project continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511). This category is a significant part of federal IT spending, supporting the development, deployment, and maintenance of government software and systems. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Federal spending in this area often benchmarks against industry standards for software development, project management, and IT consulting.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does the data indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the competition was open to all eligible firms, regardless of size. While this maximizes the pool of potential bidders, it may limit direct opportunities for small businesses to secure prime contracts for this specific requirement. Future analysis could explore if the prime contractor has a history of subcontracting with small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The provided data does not detail specific oversight mechanisms for this contract. However, as a federal contract, it is subject to general government oversight regulations, including those potentially overseen by the HHS Office of Inspector General. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a set cost. Transparency would be enhanced by public access to performance reports and detailed task order descriptions.

Related Government Programs

HHS IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Custom Software Development Contracts
Professional Services Contracts
IT Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Risk of contractor underperformance on technical deliverables.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical IT services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.0 million to MIND OVER MACHINES, INC.. ITAS PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MIND OVER MACHINES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-27. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the track record of MIND OVER MACHINES, INC. with federal contracts, particularly in custom computer programming?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that MIND OVER MACHINES, INC. has a history of receiving federal contracts. To assess their track record specifically for custom computer programming services, a deeper dive into their past awards would be necessary. This would involve examining the types of services rendered, the total value of those contracts, and their performance ratings, if available. Understanding their experience with similar agencies and contract types (e.g., firm-fixed-price delivery orders) would provide further context on their capabilities and reliability in fulfilling government requirements.

How does the daily rate implied by this contract compare to market rates for similar custom computer programming services?

The total award of $2,963,454.14 over 732 days suggests an average daily cost of approximately $4,050. This figure needs to be contextualized by the specific skill sets, experience levels, and complexity of the custom programming tasks required. Without detailed service descriptions and labor categories, a direct comparison to market rates is difficult. However, industry benchmarks for senior software developers or IT consultants can range significantly, often from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per day, depending on specialization and location. This contract's implied daily rate appears to be at the higher end, necessitating a closer look at the scope of work to justify the cost.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep if the 'custom computer programming' requirements are not clearly defined, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays, despite the fixed-price nature. Another risk is the contractor's ability to deliver the required technical expertise and meet performance standards. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, including clear statement of work, regular progress reviews, and performance monitoring. The firm-fixed-price structure itself acts as a risk mitigation tool by capping the government's financial exposure.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring value for money for this specific ITAS professional support requirement?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally designed to maximize value for money by fostering a competitive environment where multiple vendors vie for the contract. This typically leads to better pricing and service offerings. For this ITAS professional support requirement, its effectiveness hinges on whether a sufficient number of qualified vendors participated and submitted competitive bids. If the competition was robust, it increases the likelihood that HHS secured a fair price and the best available technical solution. However, the true measure of value would be the successful and timely delivery of high-quality custom programming services that meet the agency's needs.

What is the historical spending pattern for ITAS professional support services at HHS, and how does this award fit within it?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for ITAS professional support services at HHS would require access to historical contract databases. This specific award of $2.96 million over two years represents a moderate investment in custom computer programming. To understand its place, one would need to compare it against the total IT budget of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and the frequency and value of similar contracts awarded over previous fiscal years. If HHS has consistently awarded contracts in this range for similar services, this award aligns with established spending patterns. Conversely, a significant deviation might warrant further investigation into the specific needs driving this particular contract.

Industry Classification

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

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

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: 10451 MILL RUN CIR STE 900, OWINGS MILLS, MD, 21117

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,963,454

Exercised Options: $2,963,454

Current Obligation: $2,963,454

Actual Outlays: $2,446,326

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA23D003P

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline