HHS Awards $6.9M for Substance Abuse Recovery Knowledge Advancement Program to C4 Innovations LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,940,868 ($6.9M)
Contractor: C4 Innovations LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-09-27
End Date: 2025-09-26
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: ?SAMHSA PROGRAM TO ADVANCE RECOVERY KNOWLEDGE? (SPARK)
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20857
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $6.9 million to C4 INNOVATIONS LLC for work described as: ?SAMHSA PROGRAM TO ADVANCE RECOVERY KNOWLEDGE? (SPARK) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract's cost-plus award fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs and performance. 3. Focus on advancing recovery knowledge indicates a potentially high-impact program for public health. 4. The $6.9M award over two years represents a significant investment in substance abuse and mental health services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which can lead to higher costs if not managed closely. Benchmarking against similar research and technical services contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to advance critical knowledge in substance abuse recovery, which could lead to improved public health outcomes and potentially reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding and dissemination of best practices in substance abuse recovery. Supports evidence-based approaches to mental health and addiction treatment. Potential to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess program effectiveness upfront.
- The broad scope of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could lead to scope creep if not well-defined.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical public health need.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Long-term contract duration allows for sustained program development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically related to health and human services. Spending in this sector often focuses on research, program development, and technical assistance, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded under full and open competition. There is no specific information provided regarding small business participation in the subcontracting plan.
Oversight & Accountability
The CPAF contract type necessitates robust oversight from SAMHSA to ensure performance objectives are met and costs are controlled. Regular reviews and audits will be crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure.
- Ambiguity in defining and measuring 'advancing recovery knowledge'.
- Risk of limited impact if findings are not effectively disseminated or adopted.
- Dependence on contractor's expertise and execution for program success.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6.9 million to C4 INNOVATIONS LLC. ?SAMHSA PROGRAM TO ADVANCE RECOVERY KNOWLEDGE? (SPARK)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is C4 INNOVATIONS LLC.
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 $6.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-27. End: 2025-09-26.
What specific metrics will be used to measure the success of the SPARK program in advancing recovery knowledge?
The effectiveness of the SPARK program will be measured by its ability to develop and disseminate evidence-based recovery strategies, increase access to recovery support services, and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders. Specific metrics may include the number of research publications, the adoption rate of new methodologies by service providers, and qualitative assessments of program impact on recovery rates and community well-being.
How will SAMHSA ensure that the Cost Plus Award Fee structure does not lead to excessive spending without commensurate performance gains?
SAMHSA will implement rigorous oversight mechanisms, including detailed performance reviews against pre-defined award fee criteria. Regular audits of contractor expenditures and progress reports will be conducted. The award fee component will be directly tied to achieving specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives, ensuring that additional compensation is only granted for demonstrated value and superior performance.
What is the anticipated long-term impact of the SPARK program on federal spending related to substance abuse treatment and prevention?
The SPARK program aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of substance abuse treatment and prevention efforts through knowledge advancement. By identifying and promoting best practices, it is expected to lead to better resource allocation, reduced reliance on less effective interventions, and potentially lower long-term healthcare and social costs associated with addiction. This could result in more cost-effective federal spending in the long run.
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: 117 KENDRICK ST STE 300, NEEDHAM, MA, 02494
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,884,335
Exercised Options: $6,940,868
Current Obligation: $6,940,868
Actual Outlays: $5,619,802
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75S20322D00041
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-27
Current End Date: 2025-09-26
Potential End Date: 2025-09-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-27
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