HHS awards $6M contract for 988 crisis services technical assistance to Altarum Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,054,082 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Altarum Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-05-30

End Date: 2026-05-29

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR 988 AND CRISIS SERVICES (CRISIS TTAC)

Place of Performance

Location: ANN ARBOR, WASHTENAW County, MICHIGAN, 48105

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $6.1 million to ALTARUM INSTITUTE for work described as: NATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR 988 AND CRISIS SERVICES (CRISIS TTAC) Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance national crisis support services through technical assistance. 2. Focus on improving the effectiveness and accessibility of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 3. Altarum Institute, a non-profit, brings expertise in health research and consulting. 4. Contract duration of three years suggests a sustained effort in capacity building. 5. Performance is tied to award fees, incentivizing quality and outcomes. 6. Geographic scope is national, impacting crisis services across the United States.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.05 million over three years for national technical assistance is reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale technical assistance contracts for public health initiatives suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility while incentivizing performance, which can lead to better value if objectives are met.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of innovative solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best value for public funds by driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

Individuals experiencing mental health crises and suicidal ideation will benefit from improved support services. The contract supports the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in its mission to reduce the impact of mental health and substance use disorders. Crisis call centers and mental health providers nationwide will receive technical assistance to enhance their operations. The initiative aims to strengthen the national infrastructure for crisis intervention and suicide prevention.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'technical assistance' is not clearly delineated.
Reliance on award fees could lead to a focus on easily measurable outcomes rather than deeper systemic improvements.
Ensuring equitable distribution of technical assistance across diverse geographic and demographic areas presents a challenge.

Positive Signals

Altarum Institute's established reputation in health research and consulting provides a strong foundation for success.
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes high-quality performance and achievement of specific objectives.
The national scope of the contract allows for broad impact and standardization of best practices.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized expertise. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering consulting and technical assistance in public health and crisis intervention. Spending in this area is often driven by federal initiatives aimed at improving public health outcomes and support systems.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded through full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Altarum Institute, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the technical assistance delivery, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS. Performance will be monitored through regular reporting and the achievement of milestones tied to the award fee structure. Transparency is expected through public reporting on the 988 Lifeline's performance metrics, which this contract aims to improve.

Related Government Programs

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
SAMHSA Grants and Cooperative Agreements
National Mental Health Services Programs
Crisis Intervention Services

Risk Flags

Performance Risk
Scope Definition Risk
Adoption Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6.1 million to ALTARUM INSTITUTE. NATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR 988 AND CRISIS SERVICES (CRISIS TTAC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALTARUM INSTITUTE.

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 $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-30. End: 2026-05-29.

What is Altarum Institute's prior experience with federal crisis intervention or mental health support contracts?

Altarum Institute has a significant track record in health research, consulting, and program support for federal agencies, including those focused on mental health and substance use. While specific details on contracts directly managing the 988 Lifeline's technical assistance are not immediately available from this data, their broader experience includes evaluating public health programs, developing best practices, and providing technical support to healthcare providers and public health organizations. Their work often involves analyzing health data, improving service delivery models, and advising on policy implementation, all of which are relevant to enhancing crisis services. This background suggests a strong capability to undertake the objectives of the CRISIS TTAC contract.

How does the $6.05 million contract value compare to similar national technical assistance initiatives in public health?

The $6.05 million contract value over three years for national technical assistance for the 988 crisis services is generally considered a moderate investment for a program of this scope. Similar large-scale technical assistance contracts for national public health initiatives, such as those supporting disease prevention programs or healthcare access expansion, can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and breadth of services. Given that this contract focuses on enhancing a critical national hotline and its supporting infrastructure, the allocated funds appear reasonable for achieving sustained improvements and capacity building across the country. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure also allows for adjustments based on performance, potentially optimizing value.

What are the primary risks associated with the performance of this contract?

Key risks for this contract include the potential for inconsistent adoption of technical assistance recommendations by diverse crisis centers nationwide, challenges in measuring the direct impact of technical assistance on crisis outcomes, and the possibility of evolving needs within the crisis services landscape that require adaptive strategies. There's also a risk related to maintaining consistent quality of technical support across different regions and types of providers. Furthermore, ensuring that the technical assistance effectively addresses the unique needs of various populations, including underserved communities, presents an ongoing challenge. The success of the contract hinges on the contractor's ability to navigate these complexities and foster widespread, meaningful improvements.

What historical spending patterns exist for technical assistance related to national crisis hotlines?

Historical spending on technical assistance for national crisis hotlines, particularly leading up to and following the implementation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, has seen a significant increase. Federal funding has been directed towards building the infrastructure, training personnel, and enhancing the operational capacity of local and state crisis centers. While specific historical dollar amounts for technical assistance contracts solely focused on crisis hotlines are not readily aggregated in public databases, SAMHSA and other HHS agencies have consistently allocated funds for program development, evaluation, and support services in mental health. The establishment of 988 as a national three-digit dialing code has necessitated substantial investment in technical assistance to ensure service uniformity and quality across the nation, indicating a growing trend in this spending category.

How will the success of this contract be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs)?

The success of this contract will be measured through a combination of performance metrics tied to the Cost Plus Award Fee structure and broader indicators of the 988 Lifeline's effectiveness. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are likely to include the quality and reach of technical assistance provided to crisis centers, improvements in crisis center operational efficiency, enhanced data collection and reporting capabilities, and the successful implementation of evidence-based practices. Ultimately, the contract's success will also be assessed by its contribution to improved outcomes for individuals seeking crisis support, such as reduced wait times, increased connection rates to counselors, and positive feedback from crisis centers receiving assistance. SAMHSA will monitor progress against defined objectives and milestones.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3520 GREEN CT, ANN ARBOR, MI, 48105

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,942,243

Exercised Options: $6,054,082

Current Obligation: $6,054,082

Actual Outlays: $6,676,086

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75S20322D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline