DoD's $23.6M contract for family advocacy and mental health research awarded to Cherokee Insights LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,599,269 ($23.6M)
Contractor: Cherokee Insights LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-09-30
End Date: 2026-03-29
Contract Duration: 2,006 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: WRITTEN REPORTS AND ANALYSES OF FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM, INTEGRATED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM - MEDICAL.
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78226
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.6 million to CHEROKEE INSIGHTS LLC for work described as: WRITTEN REPORTS AND ANALYSES OF FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM, INTEGRATED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM - MEDICAL. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical areas of family advocacy, substance abuse, and mental health support within the Air Force. 2. Cherokee Insights LLC, a single awardee, faces limited competition, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. The contract's duration and fixed-price nature present moderate financial risk. 4. Spending falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Pricing is not available for comparison, making it difficult to assess value. The contract type is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This lack of competition may have led to a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competitive bidding raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible value for this $23.6 million contract.
Public Impact
Supports crucial family advocacy and mental health programs within the Department of Defense. Ensures continuity of services for military families facing complex challenges. The contract's long duration suggests a significant, ongoing need for these specialized research services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Limited pricing transparency
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical support programs
- Firm fixed price contract
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. Spending in this sector is vital for advancing scientific and technological capabilities, but requires careful oversight to ensure efficiency.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The definitive contract structure suggests a clear scope of work. However, the lack of competition warrants close oversight to ensure performance and cost-effectiveness.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
- Risk of vendor lock-in given the long contract duration.
- Difficulty in assessing value for money without comparative data.
- Limited transparency on pricing justification.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, tx, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.6 million to CHEROKEE INSIGHTS LLC. WRITTEN REPORTS AND ANALYSES OF FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM, INTEGRATED OPERATIONAL SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM - MEDICAL.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CHEROKEE INSIGHTS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-30. End: 2026-03-29.
What is the specific research methodology and expected outcomes for the family advocacy and mental health programs?
The provided data does not detail the specific research methodologies or expected outcomes. Further analysis of the contract's statement of work and performance reports would be necessary to understand the research approach and the anticipated impact on military family well-being and program effectiveness.
How was the fair and reasonable price determined given the lack of competition?
Without competitive bids, determining a fair and reasonable price is challenging. The contracting agency likely relied on historical pricing data, independent cost estimates, or price analysis techniques based on commercial market data. However, the absence of competition inherently limits the ability to validate price competitiveness.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the written reports and analyses provided?
Effectiveness and quality are typically ensured through contract performance metrics, deliverable acceptance criteria, and regular progress reviews. The Department of the Air Force should have established quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs) to monitor Cherokee Insights LLC's performance and the accuracy and utility of their research outputs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: FA805220R0021
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10838 E MARSHALL ST STE 220-A26, TULSA, OK, 74116
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,599,269
Exercised Options: $23,599,269
Current Obligation: $23,599,269
Actual Outlays: $8,696,781
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 19
Total Subaward Amount: $15,215,444
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-03-29
Potential End Date: 2026-03-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-30
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