HHS Awards $39.5M for Medicare Beneficiary Survey to Westat, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $72,170,917 ($72.2M)

Contractor: Westat, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2004-02-29

End Date: 2009-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: MEDICARE CURRENT BENEFICIARY SURVEY

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $72.2 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: MEDICARE CURRENT BENEFICIARY SURVEY Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Westat, Inc. for Medicare Beneficiary Survey. 2. Significant contract value of $39.5 million over 5 years. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Contract falls under Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $39.5 million over five years suggests a substantial undertaking. Benchmarking against similar large-scale survey contracts would be necessary for a precise pricing assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery. This method allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, potentially driving down costs and ensuring fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The significant investment in understanding Medicare beneficiaries aims to improve services, potentially leading to better health outcomes and more efficient resource allocation for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Impacts millions of Medicare beneficiaries by seeking their input on services. Provides valuable data for policy decisions affecting healthcare access and quality. Supports the ongoing improvement of the Medicare program through user feedback.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition utilized
  • Long-term data collection for program improvement

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities sector, specifically focusing on survey research. Spending in this area is crucial for understanding public programs and informing policy.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract duration of five years necessitates ongoing oversight to ensure Westat, Inc. meets performance objectives and manages funds effectively. Regular reporting and performance reviews are critical.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs

Risk Flags

  • Contract duration of 5 years requires sustained oversight.
  • Potential for scope creep in long-term research projects.
  • Ensuring data privacy and security for sensitive beneficiary information.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, dca, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $72.2 million to WESTAT, INC.. MEDICARE CURRENT BENEFICIARY 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 Medicare and Medicaid Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $72.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-02-29. End: 2009-02-28.

What specific research questions will the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey address, and how will the findings directly inform policy changes?

The survey aims to gather beneficiary perspectives on access to care, satisfaction with services, and healthcare utilization. Findings are intended to inform CMS on program effectiveness, identify areas for improvement in beneficiary support, and guide future policy development related to Medicare benefits and administration. This data is crucial for ensuring the program meets the evolving needs of its enrollees.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will Westat, Inc.'s performance be measured against them?

Key performance indicators likely include survey response rates, data accuracy and reliability, timely delivery of reports, and adherence to data privacy protocols. CMS will monitor these KPIs through regular progress reports, data quality audits, and potentially beneficiary feedback mechanisms. Performance will be assessed against established benchmarks to ensure the quality and utility of the collected data.

How will the data collected from this survey be used to assess the cost-effectiveness of different Medicare services or initiatives?

The survey data, when combined with administrative and claims data, can provide insights into beneficiary experiences and perceived value of services. This allows for an assessment of whether certain Medicare initiatives or service delivery models are achieving desired outcomes relative to their costs. By understanding beneficiary satisfaction and access issues, CMS can better evaluate the overall effectiveness and efficiency of its programs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTN – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1650 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $75,563,890

Exercised Options: $75,563,890

Current Obligation: $72,170,917

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline

Start Date: 2004-02-29

Current End Date: 2009-02-28

Potential End Date: 2009-02-28 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2009-07-22

More Contracts from Westat, Inc.

View all Westat, Inc. federal contracts →

Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts

View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending