HHS awards $11M contract to Westat for National Nursing Home Survey, spanning over 6 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,004,426 ($11.0M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2002-09-18
End Date: 2008-12-31
Contract Duration: 2,296 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: 200-2002-00540, WESTAT - NATIONAL NURSING HOME SURVEY
Place of Performance
Location: HYATTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20782, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $11.0 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: 200-2002-00540, WESTAT - NATIONAL NURSING HOME SURVEY Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year, large-scale data collection and analysis project. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized research services. 3. The contract duration of over six years indicates a long-term need for this data. 4. Performance risk is moderate, given the contractor's experience in similar large-scale surveys. 5. This contract supports critical public health data infrastructure within the healthcare sector. 6. The fixed fee component provides cost certainty for the government, while the cost-plus aspect allows for flexibility in research execution.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $11 million over six years for the National Nursing Home Survey is within a reasonable range for a project of this scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal surveys for data collection and analysis suggests that the pricing is competitive. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type allows for flexibility in research activities while providing a degree of cost control through the fixed fee component. Without specific per-unit cost data for survey respondents or data points, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall award appears to align with market expectations for such specialized research.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, leading to potentially better pricing and innovative solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition. This method is preferred for ensuring the government receives the best value by leveraging the widest possible pool of talent and resources.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the chances of securing the most cost-effective solution for taxpayers, as multiple firms vie to win the contract by offering competitive pricing and superior technical approaches.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are federal health agencies, particularly the CDC, which rely on this data for policy development and public health initiatives. The contract delivers crucial data on nursing home conditions, resident care, and facility operations nationwide. The geographic impact is national, covering all states and territories within the United States. The project supports a workforce of researchers, data collectors, statisticians, and analysts, contributing to the specialized research sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in long-term research projects if not managed tightly.
- Reliance on accurate and timely data submission from nursing facilities nationwide.
- Ensuring data quality and integrity throughout the multi-year data collection and analysis process.
Positive Signals
- Contractor (Westat) has a strong track record in conducting large-scale federal surveys.
- The project addresses a critical need for national data on nursing home care.
- Full and open competition suggests a well-defined requirement and a competitive bidding process.
- The multi-year duration allows for in-depth analysis and trend identification.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities applied to healthcare. The market for large-scale survey research and data analysis is specialized, with a limited number of firms possessing the expertise and infrastructure to handle such extensive federal projects. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area are difficult to establish without more granular data, but federal agencies frequently contract for large surveys to inform policy and track national trends in areas like healthcare, education, and social services.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While Westat, Inc. is a large business, the nature of this large-scale, complex research project may limit direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless they possess highly specialized niche capabilities. The primary focus of this contract is on the prime contractor's ability to execute a comprehensive national survey, rather than on broad small business engagement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within HHS. Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, data quality reviews, and performance evaluations against contract milestones. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, financial oversight would focus on ensuring costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of survey findings, although specific contract performance details may be less accessible.
Related Government Programs
- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
- National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG)
- Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data collection initiatives
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) surveys
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
- Reliance on third-party data providers (nursing homes) can introduce variability.
- Complexity of national data collection requires robust project management.
Tags
healthcare, research-and-development, data-collection, survey-research, hhs, cdc, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, large-contract, national-scope, maryland, westat-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $11.0 million to WESTAT, INC.. 200-2002-00540, WESTAT - NATIONAL NURSING HOME SURVEY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-09-18. End: 2008-12-31.
What is Westat's track record with similar large-scale federal health surveys?
Westat, Inc. has a well-established history of conducting major federal surveys, particularly in the health and social science domains. They have been a prime contractor for numerous large-scale data collection and analysis projects for agencies such as the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) within the CDC, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Education. Their experience includes designing survey instruments, managing complex sampling frames, conducting in-person and mail surveys, and performing sophisticated statistical analysis. This extensive background suggests they possess the necessary expertise and infrastructure to successfully execute the National Nursing Home Survey.
How does the $11 million award compare to previous iterations or similar national surveys?
Direct comparison to previous iterations of the National Nursing Home Survey is difficult without specific historical award data. However, $11 million over approximately six years translates to an average annual cost of roughly $1.83 million. This figure appears reasonable when benchmarked against other large-scale federal health surveys that involve national data collection, complex methodologies, and extensive analysis. For instance, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), another major NCHS initiative, involves significant multi-year funding. The cost is influenced by factors like the number of facilities surveyed, the complexity of data collected, and the analytical requirements, all of which are substantial for a national nursing home study.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
Key risks include potential delays in data collection due to facility cooperation or logistical challenges, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of data reported by nursing homes, and managing the long-term scope of the project. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by Westat, clear communication protocols with participating facilities, rigorous data validation procedures, and ongoing oversight from the CDC. The CPFF contract type also allows for adjustments if unforeseen research challenges arise, provided they are justified and approved. Westat's experience in managing similar complex surveys is a significant mitigating factor.
How effective is the National Nursing Home Survey in informing federal health policy?
The National Nursing Home Survey is a cornerstone data source for federal health policy, particularly for agencies like the CDC and CMS. It provides critical insights into the quality of care, resident characteristics, staffing levels, and facility operations across the nation. This data informs the development of regulations, quality improvement initiatives, and resource allocation decisions related to long-term care. For example, trends identified in the survey can highlight areas needing policy intervention, such as specific care practices, infection control measures, or staffing standards, thereby directly impacting the health and well-being of nursing home residents.
What are the historical spending patterns for the National Nursing Home Survey or similar data collection efforts?
Historical spending on the National Nursing Home Survey and comparable large-scale federal health data collection efforts typically involves multi-million dollar awards over several years. These projects require significant investment due to the extensive fieldwork, data processing, and analytical components. Spending patterns often reflect the frequency of the survey (e.g., annual, biennial, or ad-hoc), the scope of data collected, and the methodologies employed (e.g., in-person interviews vs. mail surveys). Federal agencies consistently allocate substantial budgets to such surveys as they are essential for evidence-based policymaking and monitoring national health trends.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 2002N00412
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1650 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $332,835,138
Exercised Options: $332,835,138
Current Obligation: $11,004,426
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-09-18
Current End Date: 2008-12-31
Potential End Date: 2008-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-08-07
More Contracts from Westat, Inc.
- THE Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (path) Study Period of Performance: 04/01/2016-11/30/2016 Base Award — $505.3M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- "critical Functions" Igf::ct::igf the Sampling and Data Collection Contractor Designs and Conducts the Sampling and Data Collection Activities and Prepares the Sampling and Variance Estimation Weights for the Operational Assessments, Pilot Tests, and Special Studies Required by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (naep) for the 2013-2017 Assessment Cycles. Additionally, the SDC Contractor Conducts the Naep High School Transcript Study (hsts). the SDC Contractor Shall Pursue Creative and Innovative Lines of Methodological and Operational Inquiry for Improving Sampling, Data Collection and Weighting Methodologies That Will Strategically Position Naep and the Hsts to Meet the Upcoming Challenges in the Next Decade Such AS Technology-Based and Multi-Stage Adaptive Testing; Making Naep More Educationally Relevant by Linking With Other State, National, and International Assessments; and Improving Access to the Broadest Range of Students Including Students With Disabilities and English Language Learners — $344.4M (Department of Education)
- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey — $302.2M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- R&d-Other R & D-B RES — $292.6M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Nhanes Contract — $279.2M (Department of Health and Human Services)
Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
- Contact Center Operations (CCO) — $5.5B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- TAS::75 0849::TAS Oper of Govt R&D Goco Facilities — $4.8B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide the Full Complement of Services Necessary to Care for UC in ORR Custody Including Facilities Set-Up, Maintenance, and Support Internal and Perimeter (IF Applicable) Security, Direct Care and Supervision Inc — $3.5B (Rapid Deployment Inc)
- Contact Center Operations — $2.6B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- Federal Contract — $2.4B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →