HHS awards $24.4M contract for administrative management and consulting services to support VICP/CICP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,375 ($24.4K)

Contractor: HE, YOU WEN

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-03-08

Contract Duration: 333 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 154

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HSB114 C 7172. VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM (VICP) / COUNTERMEASURES INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM (CICP).

Place of Performance

Location: CHAPEL HILL, ORANGE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27516

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24,375 to HE, YOU WEN for work described as: HSB114 C 7172. VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM (VICP) / COUNTERMEASURES INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM (CICP). Key points: 1. Contract provides essential administrative support for critical public health programs. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks. 4. Contract duration of nearly three years allows for sustained program support. 5. Geographic location of awardee in North Carolina may offer regional economic benefits. 6. Services align with management consulting standards, indicating a focus on operational efficiency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.4 million over approximately three years appears reasonable for administrative management and general management consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program support within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would provide a more precise assessment. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the award suggests that the government has negotiated a set price, which is generally favorable for value unless the scope significantly expands. The number of bidders (154) also indicates a competitive environment that likely drove a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broad range of competition. The solicitation attracted a significant number of bidders (154), indicating a healthy level of interest and competition for these services. This high level of competition is generally positive as it allows for a wider pool of potential offerors to submit proposals, potentially leading to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this contract helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging high-quality service delivery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the individuals seeking compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) and the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), ensuring these programs can operate effectively. The services delivered will include administrative management and general management consulting, crucial for the efficient processing and management of claims and program operations. The geographic impact is national, as VICP and CICP serve individuals across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for employment within the awarded contractor's organization, likely based in North Carolina, to support these federal programs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program requirements evolve significantly beyond initial estimates.
Reliance on contractor expertise necessitates robust government oversight to ensure alignment with program goals.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty.
High number of bidders (154) suggests strong market interest and competitive pricing.
Contract duration allows for continuity of essential program support.
Awardee's location in North Carolina may foster regional economic development.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, supporting a wide array of government functions. This contract falls within the broader professional services category, which is essential for government operations, particularly in specialized areas like public health program administration. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar administrative support contracts within HHS or other health-focused agencies would typically range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and scale of the programs supported.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and does not specify any small business set-aside. While the contract itself is not a set-aside, the large number of bidders suggests that small businesses may have participated in the competition. However, without specific subcontracting plans or set-aside information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the specific agency within HHS. 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 federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)
Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP)
Department of Health and Human Services Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope creep
Reliance on contractor performance requires strong government oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24,375 to HE, YOU WEN. HSB114 C 7172. VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM (VICP) / COUNTERMEASURES INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM (CICP).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HE, YOU WEN.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Health Resources and Services Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24,375.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-03-08.

What is the historical spending trend for administrative support services related to VICP and CICP?

Historical spending data for administrative support services specifically tied to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) and Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) prior to this award is not directly available in the provided data snippet. However, the existence of this new contract suggests a continued or potentially increasing need for such services. Federal agencies typically maintain budgets for program administration, and spending can fluctuate based on program volume, legislative changes, and operational needs. To understand historical trends, one would need to analyze past contract awards and obligations for these specific programs over several fiscal years, looking for patterns in contract values, durations, and service providers.

How does the per-unit cost of these administrative services compare to similar contracts within HHS?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging without specific metrics defining a 'unit' of service (e.g., per claim processed, per hour of consulting). The contract value of $24.4 million over approximately 33 months for administrative management and general management consulting services provides an average annual value of roughly $7.4 million. Benchmarking this against similar administrative support contracts within HHS requires access to detailed contract data, including the scope of work, service levels, and pricing structures of comparable awards. Given the competitive nature (154 bidders) and firm fixed-price structure, it is likely that the pricing is market-competitive, but a definitive comparison would necessitate a deeper dive into specific contract line item details and market analysis reports.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for administrative management and general management consulting services supporting public health programs like VICP and CICP, typical KPIs would likely include metrics related to timeliness of service delivery (e.g., claim processing times), accuracy and quality of work (e.g., error rates in administrative tasks), adherence to program guidelines and regulations, customer satisfaction (if applicable to internal stakeholders), and overall efficiency in managing program operations. The contract's performance work statement (PWS) would detail these specific measurable outcomes and the government's methods for evaluating them.

What is the contractor's track record in managing similar federal health programs?

The provided data does not include information on the specific contractor's identity or their past performance track record. To assess this, one would need to identify the awardee (listed as 'HE, YOU WEN' which appears to be a placeholder or incomplete identifier) and then research their contract history within federal procurement databases. A thorough review would involve examining past performance evaluations, any awards or penalties received, and their experience with similar government programs, particularly those involving sensitive health-related data and complex administrative processes like VICP and CICP.

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

Potential risks include the possibility of the contractor failing to meet performance standards, unforeseen increases in program workload requiring scope adjustments, or data security breaches. Mitigation strategies often involve robust government oversight, clearly defined performance standards in the contract, regular performance reviews, and adherence to strict data security protocols mandated by federal regulations. The firm fixed-price structure also mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs, assuming the scope remains stable. The competitive nature of the award suggests a pool of capable contractors, reducing the risk of selecting an underqualified vendor.

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: 154

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 602 PALAFOX DR, CHAPEL HILL, NC, 27516

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,375

Exercised Options: $24,375

Current Obligation: $24,375

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75R60223A00036

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline