HHS awards $17.4M for engineering services, with URS Federal Services Inc. as prime contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,439,688 ($17.4M)

Contractor: URS Federal Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2004-12-20

End Date: 2010-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,927 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15236

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17.4 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services, indicating a need for specialized technical expertise. 2. The contract duration of approximately 5 years suggests a long-term requirement for these services. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, implying some level of competition. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 6. The contract was awarded to URS Federal Services, Inc., a significant player in the federal contracting space.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific $17.4 million contract for engineering services is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and comparable contract data. However, the firm fixed-price structure generally offers predictable costs for the government. The duration of nearly five years suggests a substantial and ongoing need, which could indicate fair value if the services consistently meet requirements. Further analysis would require comparing the per-unit costs or labor rates against similar engineering service contracts awarded by HHS or other agencies during the same period.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' suggesting it was part of a larger, competitively awarded contract vehicle. The term 'full-and-open' competition implies that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders for this particular delivery order is not provided, but the competitive nature of the parent contract suggests that multiple firms likely vied for this work, which generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even for a delivery order, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a more efficient marketplace and encouraging competitive pricing among contractors.

Public Impact

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) benefits from specialized engineering services. These services likely support critical public health infrastructure, research, or operational needs. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting the CDC's mission across the United States. The workforce implications would involve engineers and technical specialists employed by URS Federal Services, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and effectiveness of the engineering services provided.
The broad category of 'Engineering Services' could encompass a wide range of activities, making it hard to pinpoint specific value without further detail.
The contract's duration without clear performance reviews raises questions about ongoing value realization.

Positive Signals

Awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating a structured procurement process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract was awarded to a known entity, URS Federal Services, Inc., suggesting a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services represent a significant segment of the professional services market, encompassing a wide array of disciplines from civil and mechanical to environmental and electrical engineering. Federal agencies, particularly those involved in infrastructure, research, and public health like the CDC, frequently procure these services to support their missions. The market is characterized by a mix of large, established firms and smaller specialized companies. Spending benchmarks for engineering services can vary widely based on the specific discipline, project complexity, and duration. This contract falls within the broader category of professional and technical services, a substantial portion of federal procurement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, URS Federal Services, Inc., is likely a large business. There is no direct information provided on subcontracting plans or performance. Without specific set-aside requirements or reporting on subcontracting, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, though large prime contractors are often encouraged or required to utilize small businesses in their supply chains.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight mechanisms would likely be tied to the terms of the parent contract and the specific task orders issued. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS-NG, which provide basic award information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or identified during the contract's performance or closeout.

Related Government Programs

Professional Services Contracts
Engineering and Technical Support
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Procurement
Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
Federal IT and Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Performance Metrics Unclear
Scope Definition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17.4 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES, INC.. OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is URS FEDERAL SERVICES, 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 $17.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-12-20. End: 2010-03-31.

What specific types of engineering services were procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541330, which is 'Engineering Services.' This is a broad category that can include a wide range of specialized engineering disciplines such as civil, mechanical, electrical, environmental, industrial, and aerospace engineering. Without access to the detailed statement of work or task orders associated with this specific delivery order, it is impossible to determine the precise nature of the engineering services. These services could range from design and analysis to consulting, project management, or technical support for facilities, equipment, or public health initiatives managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How does the $17.4 million award compare to typical federal spending on engineering services?

The $17.4 million award for engineering services is a moderate-sized contract within the federal landscape. Federal agencies collectively spend billions of dollars annually on engineering and related professional services. For context, the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration are often among the largest purchasers of such services. The specific value of this contract should be benchmarked against similar procurements by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or the CDC for comparable services during the 2004-2010 period. While not exceptionally large, it represents a significant investment for the specific needs it addressed, likely supporting critical CDC operations or infrastructure projects.

What is the track record of URS Federal Services, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

URS Federal Services, Inc. (now part of AECOM) has a substantial history of performing federal contracts across various agencies and service areas, including engineering, environmental services, and construction management. Their track record generally includes large-scale projects and long-term support services for government clients. Analyzing their past performance on contracts with similar scope, duration, and value, particularly within the health and human services sector, would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability. Publicly available contract databases and performance reviews, where accessible, can offer insights into their on-time delivery, quality of work, and adherence to budget on previous federal engagements.

What were the primary risks associated with this contract, and how were they managed?

Potential risks for a contract of this nature could include scope creep, cost overruns (though mitigated by the Firm Fixed Price), schedule delays, and performance deficiencies. Given the 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' designation, the initial competition likely vetted the contractor's ability to manage these risks. The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure inherently shifts some cost risk to the contractor. Management of performance risks would rely on the CDC's oversight, including regular progress reviews, milestone tracking, and clear communication channels. The contract's duration (nearly 5 years) also presents risks related to changing requirements or technological obsolescence, which would need to be managed through contract modifications or proactive planning by both parties.

How has federal spending on 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330) evolved since this contract was awarded?

Federal spending on Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) has generally seen an upward trend since the period of this contract (2004-2010), driven by infrastructure investments, national security needs, and evolving technological requirements across agencies. While specific year-over-year figures fluctuate based on budget appropriations and agency priorities, the overall demand for engineering expertise in the federal sector has remained robust. Agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, and the Army Corps of Engineers are consistently large spenders in this category. The increasing complexity of federal projects and the need for specialized technical skills continue to fuel this market segment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 2004Q01671

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AECOM (UEI: 153561212)

Address: 900 CLOPPER RD STE 200, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20878

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $406,289,034

Exercised Options: $406,289,034

Current Obligation: $17,439,688

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0108J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline