HHS Awards $15.3M for Custom Computer Programming Services to Northrop Grumman

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,288,483 ($15.3M)

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2003-09-16

End Date: 2004-11-30

Contract Duration: 441 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: MULTIPLE CONTRACT TYPES

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30341

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $15.3 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: MULTIPLE CONTRACT TYPES Key points: 1. Spending of $15.3M on custom computer programming services. 2. Contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Services provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract utilized a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPFF contracts for custom programming services is challenging due to variability in scope and complexity.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the CPFF structure may limit the direct benefit of competition on final cost.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for custom computer programming services, with the final cost influenced by the CPFF structure and the competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Public health initiatives may benefit from enhanced IT infrastructure and custom software solutions. The CDC's operational efficiency could be improved through these services. Transparency in government IT spending is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • CPFF pricing structure can lead to cost uncertainty.
  • Contract duration and delivery order structure may indicate evolving needs.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Services support a critical public health agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. Benchmarks for IT services vary widely based on complexity, duration, and specific technologies employed.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses, suggesting that larger contractors were likely the primary participants in the competition.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of CPFF contracts is critical to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the scope of work aligns with the fixed fee. The contracting agency (HHS/CDC) is responsible for monitoring performance and expenditures.

Related Government Programs

  • Custom Computer Programming Services
  • Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
  • Lack of specific service details limits understanding of value.
  • No indication of small business participation.
  • Contract duration (441 days) suggests a significant project scope.

Tags

custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, ga, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $15.3 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. MULTIPLE CONTRACT TYPES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

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 $15.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-09-16. End: 2004-11-30.

What was the final cost of the contract, and how did it compare to the initial estimates given the CPFF structure?

The provided data shows an award amount of $15,288,482.76. With a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, the final cost is the sum of allowable costs incurred plus a predetermined fixed fee. Without initial estimates or a breakdown of incurred costs versus the fixed fee, a direct comparison to initial projections is not possible from this data alone.

What specific custom computer programming services were rendered, and how did they contribute to the CDC's mission?

The data identifies the service category as 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS 541511) but does not detail the specific projects or deliverables. These services likely involved developing, testing, and implementing software solutions to support the CDC's public health surveillance, data analysis, or operational needs.

How effective was the full and open competition in achieving competitive pricing for this CPFF contract?

While full and open competition is generally a strong mechanism for price discovery, its effectiveness with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure is nuanced. Competition likely drove down the initial fixed fee and ensured a qualified pool of bidders, but the ultimate cost is heavily influenced by the contractor's ability to manage allowable costs efficiently.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesCustom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation

Address: 12900 FEDERAL SYSTEMS PARK DR, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $80,839,918

Exercised Options: $80,839,918

Current Obligation: $15,288,483

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSD200200200555I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2003-09-16

Current End Date: 2004-11-30

Potential End Date: 2004-11-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2023-02-26

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