CDC Bio-Terrorism Threat Detection Data Services Contract Awarded to Leidos, Inc. for Over $36.7 Million
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,728,376 ($36.7M)
Contractor: Leidos, Inc.
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2005-08-05
End Date: 2008-09-28
Contract Duration: 1,150 days
Daily Burn Rate: $31.9K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) - OBJECTIVE: TO IMPLEMENT A COLLECTION OF DATA SOURCES, THAT HAVE BEEN PRE-DEFINED BY THE CDC AND THAT PROVIDE THE NATIONAL COVERAGE NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY A POSSIBLE A BIO-TERRORIST AND/OR NATURAL THREAT AGAINST THE UNITED STATES. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE TASK, THE CONTRACTOR WILL DELIVER AN ESTIMATED AVERAGE OF FOUR DATA STREAMS FROM DATA SOURCES LOCATED IN EACH OF THE 31 DESIGNATED BIOWATCH CITIES. THIS COLLECTION OF DATA FEEDS, PRE-DEFINED BY THE CDC, WILL MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: REPRESENT BROAD CATEGORIES OF DATA CAPABLE OF CORRELATING ALERTS, I.E., OVER-THE-COUNTER SALES, NURSE CALL DATE, PHYSICIAN VISITS, EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS REPRESENT NATIONAL COVERAGE, I.E., NATIONAL SOURCES AS WELL AS SOURCES FROM EACH OF THE DESIGNATED BIOWATCH CITIES. NATIONAL COVERAGE WILL BE CRITICAL IN RELIABLE DETECTION OF POSSIBLE BIO-TERROR ATTACKS HAVE SUFFICIENT COLLECTION DURATIONS TO ALLOW BASELINE DETERMINATION FOR BOISENSE DEFINED ALGORITHMS
Place of Performance
Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30329, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $36.7 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: IT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) - OBJECTIVE: TO IMPLEMENT A COLLECTION OF DATA SOURCES, THAT HAVE BEEN PRE-DEFINED BY THE CDC AND THAT PROVIDE THE NATIONAL COVERAGE NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY A POSSIBLE A BIO-TERRORIST AND/OR NATURAL THRE… Key points: 1. Contract aims to establish a national data collection system for early detection of bio-terrorist or natural threats. 2. Focus on delivering an average of four data streams from 31 designated cities to meet national coverage requirements. 3. Data sources include over-the-counter sales, nurse calls, physician visits, and emergency room visits for correlation. 4. Contract duration of approximately 3.2 years, with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure. 5. Awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA) through the Federal Acquisition Service. 6. The contract's success hinges on the quality and comprehensiveness of the data streams collected and analyzed.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of over $36.7 million for a period of roughly 3.2 years suggests a significant investment in public health security infrastructure. Benchmarking this against similar data collection and analysis contracts for national security purposes is challenging due to the specific nature of bio-terrorism threat detection. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure, while common, can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, warranting close oversight of expenditures to ensure value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but a competitive process generally fosters better pricing and service offerings. The competitive nature suggests that the government sought the best value proposition for implementing this critical public health surveillance system.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs and encourages innovation, ensuring that public funds are used efficiently for essential services like national security.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the citizens of the United States, who will be better protected against potential bio-terrorist attacks and natural health threats. The contract will deliver a system for collecting and analyzing critical public health data streams from designated cities. Geographic impact is national, with a specific focus on 31 designated 'Biowatch' cities. Workforce implications may include roles in data analysis, system management, and public health surveillance within government agencies and potentially contractor organizations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to the CPFF pricing structure if not rigorously managed.
- Dependence on the accuracy and completeness of data from diverse sources, which can be variable.
- The effectiveness of the system relies heavily on the CDC's pre-defined data requirements and the contractor's ability to meet them.
- Ensuring data privacy and security across multiple data streams and sources will be a significant challenge.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical national security need for early threat detection.
- Utilizes a competitive award process to ensure value for taxpayer money.
- Aims for national coverage, providing a broad safety net.
- Leverages defined data sources to structure the collection and analysis process.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on data management, analysis, and surveillance systems. The market for such services is substantial, driven by government needs for national security, public health, and intelligence gathering. Comparable spending benchmarks would include other large-scale data analytics and IT infrastructure projects for federal agencies, particularly those involved in homeland security and public health monitoring. The unique aspect here is the direct application to bio-terrorism threat detection.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a large contract awarded to a major prime contractor (Leidos, Inc.), it is possible that subcontracting opportunities may exist for smaller firms specializing in data collection or specific analytical tools, but this is not explicitly stated in the award details.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of the specified data streams and the performance metrics outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific operational details of the data analysis may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Public Health Surveillance Systems
- Homeland Security Data Analytics
- Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Programs
- National Health Information Infrastructure
- Federal IT Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
- Reliance on external data sources introduces variability in data quality and completeness.
- The system's effectiveness is dependent on the ongoing relevance of CDC-defined data streams.
- Potential for cybersecurity vulnerabilities given the sensitive nature of public health data.
- Risk of technological obsolescence in a rapidly evolving IT landscape.
Tags
it-services, public-health, national-security, data-analytics, surveillance-systems, bio-terrorism, threat-detection, general-services-administration, centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention, competitive-award, cost-plus-fixed-fee, georgia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $36.7 million to LEIDOS, INC.. IT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) - OBJECTIVE: TO IMPLEMENT A COLLECTION OF DATA SOURCES, THAT HAVE BEEN PRE-DEFINED BY THE CDC AND THAT PROVIDE THE NATIONAL COVERAGE NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY A POSSIBLE A BIO-TERRORIST AND/OR NATURAL THREAT AGAINST THE UNITED STATES. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE TASK, THE CONTRACTOR WILL DELIVER AN ESTIMATED AVERAGE OF FOUR DATA STREAMS FROM DATA SOURCES LOCATED IN EACH OF THE 31 DESIGNATED BIOWATCH CITIES. THIS COLLECTION O
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $36.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-08-05. End: 2008-09-28.
What is the track record of Leidos, Inc. in managing large-scale federal IT and data analysis contracts, particularly those related to public health or national security?
Leidos, Inc. has a substantial track record in managing complex federal contracts across various domains, including IT services, systems integration, and data analytics. They have been a significant player in supporting agencies like the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Health and Human Services. Their experience often involves large-scale data processing, cybersecurity, and the development of sophisticated analytical tools. For contracts specifically related to public health and national security, Leidos has been involved in projects such as health IT modernization, disease surveillance support, and critical infrastructure protection. Their ability to handle large budgets and long-term projects is well-established, though the success of any specific contract depends on detailed performance metrics and ongoing oversight.
How does the $36.7 million contract value compare to similar federal investments in bio-terrorism or public health threat detection systems?
The $36.7 million contract value for this specific data collection and analysis system represents a significant, but not extraordinary, investment within the broader context of national security and public health preparedness. Federal spending on homeland security and public health infrastructure is in the billions annually. Contracts for developing and maintaining sophisticated surveillance systems, data fusion platforms, and early warning mechanisms can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on their scope, technological complexity, and duration. This particular contract appears to focus on a critical data-gathering component, suggesting that other related contracts might cover the analytical software, response protocols, or broader infrastructure. Therefore, while substantial, its value should be assessed relative to the specific capabilities it aims to provide and the overall federal investment in threat detection.
What are the primary risks associated with the implementation and long-term effectiveness of this data collection system?
The primary risks associated with this system include data quality and integrity issues, as it relies on aggregating diverse data streams from various sources which may have varying levels of accuracy or completeness. Cybersecurity threats pose a significant risk, as the system will handle sensitive public health data, making it a target for malicious actors. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the system is contingent on the continued relevance and accuracy of the pre-defined data sources and the ability of the CDC to interpret and act upon the collected information. Technological obsolescence is another risk; the data collection and analysis methods may need frequent updates to remain effective against evolving threats. Finally, there's a risk related to the sustainability of funding and political will to maintain such a system over the long term.
What is the expected program effectiveness and how is it measured given the contract's objective?
The program's effectiveness is expected to be measured by its ability to provide timely and accurate data that aids in the early identification of potential bio-terrorist or natural health threats. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely include the completeness and timeliness of data stream delivery, the accuracy of the data collected, and the system's uptime and reliability. Ultimately, effectiveness would be gauged by its contribution to the CDC's overall mission of preventing and responding to public health emergencies. While the contract itself focuses on data delivery, its true effectiveness is linked to how well this data integrates into broader threat assessment and response frameworks, potentially reducing the impact of health crises through early detection and intervention.
How has federal spending in IT services for public health surveillance evolved, and where does this contract fit within that trend?
Federal spending on IT services for public health surveillance has seen a significant increase over the past two decades, particularly following events like 9/11 and major public health crises such as pandemics. Initially, spending focused on basic data infrastructure and reporting. However, there has been a clear trend towards more sophisticated systems involving data analytics, real-time monitoring, predictive modeling, and interoperability across different health systems. This contract, awarded in 2005, fits within this evolving trend by focusing on establishing a national coverage data collection system for a specific, high-consequence threat (bio-terrorism). It represents an investment in the foundational data layer necessary for advanced surveillance, moving beyond simple reporting to enable more proactive threat identification.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 4TCL75056033
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 611641312)
Address: 10302 EATON PLACE, SUITE 150, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $43,134,371
Exercised Options: $36,728,376
Current Obligation: $36,728,376
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS07T00BGD0028
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-08-05
Current End Date: 2008-09-28
Potential End Date: 2008-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-07-31
More Contracts from Leidos, Inc.
- Science Operation and Maintenance Support for the United States Antarctic Program — $3.1B (National Science Foundation)
- Provide Funding for Clin 302 for Pre-Flight and In-Flight Services. Contract Number Dtfawa-05-C-00031, Lockheed Martin. POP 01/16/08-03/31/08 — $1.9B (Department of Transportation)
- THE Facilities Development and Operations Contract(fdoc) Specifies Technical, Managerial, and Adminstrative Work Needed to Ensure the Availablitity, Integrity, and Reliability of Missionoperations Facilites Supporting National Aeronautics and Space Administration (nasa) Human Space Flight (HSF) Programs Requiring Mission Operations Support. the Objective of This Contract IS to Consolidate Efforts Across the Facilities Covered Under Fodoc in Order to Maximize Synergy for Hardware and Software Development, Modification, Sustaining. Maintenance, Reconfiguration, and Operations for the Purpose of Reducing Cost Without Compromising Facility Functionality and Performance. Nasa Will Collaborate With the Contractor on Developing Procedural and Technical Innovations That Improve Quality, Ensure Customer Satisfaction and Reduce Cost. Mission Operations Facilities Currently Support the Space Shuttle Programand the International Space Station Progra, Including International Partner and Commmercial Visiting Vehicles. Mission Operations Facilities Supporting the Cnstellation Program(cxp) ARE Continuously Under Development in Concert With CXP Formulation and Implementation. Fdoc Applies to the Facilities of These Three Programs, and ANY Other HSF Program Requiring Mission Operations Facility Support. in Addition, Future Mission Operations Facilities and Capabilities ARE Within the Technical Scope of This SOW, and Fdoc Worlk Associated With These Facilities Will BE Enabled Through Idiq — $1.3B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- National Airspace System (NAS) Implementation Support Contract (nisc). Provides Engineering and Technical Support Services to FAA Organizations Responsible for NAS Transformation, Integration and Implementation in the Areas of Implementation and Integration Planning, Transition Planning, Engineering Support, Environmental Support, Automation Support and Other Engineering and Technical Disciplines AS Required. TAS::69 8107::TAS — $1.1B (Department of Transportation)
- Itssc Task Order for Systems — $1.1B (Social Security Administration)
Other General Services Administration Contracts
- Software Life Cycle Development — $1.4B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order (TO) 47qfca21f0018 IS Hereby Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (BAH) to Provide Enterprise Level Data to the Ousd(c), and ITS Strategic Partners (I.E., DOD Fourth Estate, DOD Departments, and IC Community) — $1.4B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- Federal Contract — $1.2B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- THE Scope of the to IS to Provide Enterprise IT Services for the Usace — $1.1B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order Award — $1.1B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)