HHS Awards $14.8M for Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance System Implementation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,848,377 ($14.8M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2008-08-20

End Date: 2014-06-01

Contract Duration: 2,111 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE&SEXUAL VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30341

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $14.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE&SEXUAL VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Research Triangle Institute for a critical public health system. 2. Competition method was 'Competitive Delivery Order', suggesting some level of market engagement. 3. Risk of cost overruns exists due to 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' terms. 4. Spending falls within the 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14.8M over approximately 6 years appears reasonable for a national surveillance system implementation. Benchmarking against similar public health IT system implementations would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

Awarded as a 'Competitive Delivery Order', indicating that multiple vendors likely had an opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a system aimed at addressing significant public health issues, potentially leading to better resource allocation for prevention and intervention.

Public Impact

Enhances national capacity to track and respond to intimate partner violence and sexual violence. Provides data crucial for evidence-based policy development and public health interventions. Supports efforts to reduce the incidence and impact of these serious public health concerns.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Economic price adjustment clause could lead to costs exceeding initial estimates.
Contract duration of over 6 years presents potential for scope creep or evolving requirements.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data makes effectiveness assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical and under-resourced area of public health.
Competitive award process suggests potential for fair pricing.
Long-term implementation allows for thorough system development and rollout.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Spending in this broad category can vary widely, but implementing a national surveillance system is a significant undertaking.

Small Business Impact

No specific information is available regarding small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved or had opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the awarding agency, implying oversight. However, the provided data does not detail specific oversight mechanisms or accountability measures.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost increases due to economic price adjustment.
Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and requirement changes.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing value and effectiveness challenging.
Limited insight into small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $14.8 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE&SEXUAL VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

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 $14.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-08-20. End: 2014-06-01.

What is the projected impact of the economic price adjustment on the final contract cost?

The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause allows for modifications to the contract price based on fluctuations in economic conditions, such as inflation. Without specific indices or caps defined in the contract, it's difficult to quantify the exact impact. However, EPAs can potentially increase the final cost beyond the initial fixed price, necessitating close monitoring by the agency to ensure costs remain reasonable and justified.

How will the effectiveness of the surveillance system be measured and ensured?

Effectiveness measurement would typically involve defining key performance indicators (KPIs) related to data accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and utility for public health decision-making. The CDC would likely establish protocols for data validation, system uptime, and user feedback. Regular performance reviews and audits would be crucial to ensure the system meets its objectives and provides reliable information for addressing intimate partner violence and sexual violence.

What is the long-term strategy for maintaining and updating the surveillance system post-implementation?

A long-term strategy would likely involve ongoing maintenance contracts, periodic system upgrades to incorporate new technologies or address evolving public health needs, and continuous training for personnel. Funding for these post-implementation activities needs to be secured and planned for. The agency should also consider plans for data archiving, security, and potential integration with other public health data systems to maximize the system's value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 E CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,313,414

Exercised Options: $20,313,414

Current Obligation: $14,848,377

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0097L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline