HHS awards $18.1M for behavioral health and justice transformation, with a 5-year term

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,098,514 ($18.1M)

Contractor: Policy Research Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-09-08

End Date: 2026-09-07

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SAMHSA'S GAINS CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND JUSTICE TRANSFORMATION CENTER (BHJTC)

Place of Performance

Location: DELMAR, ALBANY County, NEW YORK, 12054

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $18.1 million to POLICY RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: SAMHSA'S GAINS CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND JUSTICE TRANSFORMATION CENTER (BHJTC) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical assistance and research for behavioral health and justice. 2. Value-for-money assessment is pending further analysis of deliverables and performance. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating broad market engagement. 4. Risk indicators include the cost-plus award fee structure, which can incentivize performance. 5. Performance context is within SAMHSA's mission to improve behavioral health services. 6. Sector positioning is in professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically behavioral health. 7. The contract duration of 1825 days suggests a long-term commitment to the initiative.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total award value is $18.1 million over five years. Benchmarking this against similar technical assistance and research contracts within the federal government is challenging without specific deliverable details. The cost-plus award fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent overruns. The value will ultimately be determined by the quality and impact of the services provided by Policy Research Associates, Inc.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. This suggests that multiple potential bidders were considered, and the contracting agency sought the best value through a competitive process. The specific reason for the exclusion of sources is not detailed but implies a deliberate effort to ensure a fair and broad competition. The number of bidders and the evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the competitive dynamics.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality services. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, increasing the likelihood of obtaining optimal value for public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals involved in the behavioral health and justice systems, through improved services and interventions. The contract aims to deliver technical assistance, research, and support to enhance the integration of behavioral health and justice. Geographic impact is likely national, supporting SAMHSA's nationwide initiatives. Workforce implications may include training and capacity building for professionals in the behavioral health and justice sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus award fee contracts require robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and award fees are justified.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand its implications for competition.
Performance metrics and evaluation of deliverables will be critical to assessing contractor success.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a strong market response and potential for high-quality service providers.
The five-year duration indicates a strategic investment in a critical area of public health.
Focus on behavioral health and justice aligns with significant national public health priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. Within the federal spending landscape, contracts for research, technical assistance, and program support in areas like public health and criminal justice are common. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the technical assistance and research provided, but the $18.1 million award over five years suggests a significant, long-term initiative.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is unlikely. However, the prime contractor, Policy Research Associates, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors. An analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business involvement and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS. The cost-plus award fee structure necessitates diligent monitoring of costs and performance against defined award criteria. Transparency will depend on the public availability of performance reports and evaluations. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

SAMHSA Grants and Cooperative Agreements
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Research Programs
Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Programs
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant

Risk Flags

Cost-plus award fee structure requires diligent oversight.
Potential for undefined scope creep if performance metrics are not clearly delineated.
Effectiveness hinges on the contractor's ability to deliver impactful technical assistance and research.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $18.1 million to POLICY RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.. SAMHSA'S GAINS CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND JUSTICE TRANSFORMATION CENTER (BHJTC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is POLICY RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-08. End: 2026-09-07.

What specific deliverables are expected under this contract, and how will their success be measured?

The contract aims to provide technical assistance and support for SAMHSA's GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation. Specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data but typically include reports, training materials, best practice guides, and potentially on-site consultations. Success measurement would likely involve metrics related to the adoption of recommended practices, improvements in program outcomes for target populations, and feedback from stakeholders. The cost-plus award fee structure implies that performance against these metrics will directly influence the contractor's final payment, incentivizing high-quality output and demonstrable impact.

How does the $18.1 million award compare to similar federal contracts for behavioral health and justice transformation initiatives?

Direct comparison of the $18.1 million award is difficult without granular details on the scope of work and specific deliverables. However, federal investments in behavioral health and justice integration initiatives can range significantly. Large-scale, multi-year contracts for technical assistance, research, and program implementation, especially those with a national scope, often fall within this multi-million dollar range. For instance, similar contracts supporting national public health research centers or large-scale technical assistance providers can exceed tens of millions of dollars over their lifecycle. The value proposition of this contract will be determined by its effectiveness in achieving SAMHSA's stated goals for the GAINS Center.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract structure for this type of service?

The primary risks with a CPAF structure for this contract involve ensuring that costs remain reasonable and that the award fee is earned based on objective performance. There's a potential for the contractor to incur higher costs if not managed tightly, as the fee is tied to performance. Conversely, if award criteria are too vague, it could lead to disputes. Effective oversight by SAMHSA is crucial to scrutinize costs, validate performance against award criteria, and ensure that the government receives good value. The risk is mitigated by clear performance standards and robust auditing processes.

What is the historical spending pattern of SAMHSA on behavioral health and justice transformation programs?

Historical spending patterns for SAMHSA on behavioral health and justice transformation initiatives are not directly available from the provided data. However, SAMHSA has consistently allocated significant resources towards programs aimed at improving mental health and substance use services, often with an emphasis on vulnerable populations and criminal justice involvement. The GAINS Center itself has been a long-standing initiative, suggesting a sustained commitment. Annual appropriations and specific grant awards would provide a clearer picture of SAMHSA's historical investment trends in this specific area, indicating whether this $18.1 million award represents an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous funding levels.

What is the track record of Policy Research Associates, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) has a documented history of performing federal contracts, particularly within the health and human services sectors. Their work often involves research, evaluation, and technical assistance related to public health, mental health, and substance abuse. While specific details of their past performance on contracts of similar size and scope to this $18.1 million award are not provided here, their selection as the prime contractor suggests they met SAMHSA's requirements and demonstrated relevant expertise. A deeper dive into federal contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would reveal their performance ratings, past projects, and client agencies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 270-21-0559

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 345 DELAWARE AVE, DELMAR, NY, 12054

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,978,207

Exercised Options: $18,098,514

Current Obligation: $18,098,514

Actual Outlays: $15,017,713

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $629,107

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSS283201700057I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline