HHS Spends $19.7M on Publications, Media, and Marketing Services with BLH Technologies Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,678,126 ($19.7M)

Contractor: BLH Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2014-02-01

End Date: 2019-07-31

Contract Duration: 2,006 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF PUBLICATIONS, MEDIA AND MARKETING

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $19.7 million to BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF PUBLICATIONS, MEDIA AND MARKETING Key points: 1. The contract awarded to BLH Technologies Inc. for publications, media, and marketing services totals $19.7 million. 2. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) within HHS is the contracting agency. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. The period of performance spans from February 1, 2014, to July 31, 2019. 5. The primary service category is 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $19.7 million over approximately 5.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks for 'publications, media, and marketing services,' a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value is obtained, though the 'exclusion of sources' aspect warrants further investigation into its justification.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary services, but the total cost of $19.7 million represents a significant investment.

Public Impact

Public health information dissemination and marketing campaigns are crucial for agency outreach and public awareness. The services provided likely support AHRQ's mission to improve healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency. Effective media and marketing can enhance public understanding of health research and initiatives. Transparency in contract spending is vital for public trust in government operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific detail on deliverables and performance metrics.
Potential for cost overruns in cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts.
Justification for 'exclusion of sources' in competitive bidding needs clarity.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports a critical health research and quality agency.
Long-term contract indicates sustained need for services.

Sector Analysis

The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of specialized support. Spending in this area can vary significantly based on agency needs, from research support to public relations. A $19.7 million contract for media and marketing services is substantial and suggests a significant scope of work.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's duration and value necessitate robust oversight to ensure performance, cost control, and adherence to contract terms. Regular reviews by AHRQ and potentially the HHS IG would be standard practice.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Lack of transparency regarding 'exclusion of sources'.
Broad service category makes performance assessment challenging.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $19.7 million to BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC. IGF::OT::IGF PUBLICATIONS, MEDIA AND MARKETING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-02-01. End: 2019-07-31.

What specific publications, media, and marketing activities were undertaken under this contract, and how did they contribute to AHRQ's mission?

The contract likely supported AHRQ's efforts to disseminate research findings, promote healthcare quality initiatives, and engage with healthcare professionals and the public. Specific activities could include developing websites, creating informational materials, managing social media campaigns, and producing multimedia content. The effectiveness would be measured by reach, engagement, and impact on healthcare practices or public health awareness.

What was the justification for excluding certain sources during the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' process, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

Excluding sources typically requires a strong justification, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs. If the exclusion limited the pool of potential bidders, it could have reduced competitive pressure, potentially leading to a higher price than if all qualified sources had been allowed to compete. A thorough review of the justification documentation is necessary.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure for this $19.7 million contract ensure cost efficiency and prevent contractor overspending on publications, media, and marketing services?

A cost-plus-fixed-fee contract allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While the fixed fee incentivizes efficiency, oversight is crucial to scrutinize costs and prevent scope creep. Regular audits and performance reviews are essential to ensure the government receives good value and that costs remain within reasonable bounds for the services rendered.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1803 RESEARCH BLVD STE 300, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,678,126

Exercised Options: $19,678,126

Current Obligation: $19,678,126

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline