HHS awards $10.3M for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences to National Committee for Quality Assurance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,276,489 ($10.3M)

Contractor: National Committee for Quality Assurance

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2006-09-29

End Date: 2011-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.3 million to NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE for work described as: PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS Key points: 1. Spending focuses on Research and Development within the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. 2. The contract was awarded to the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a non-profit organization. 3. This is a definitive contract with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure. 4. The contract duration is 5 years, spanning from 2006 to 2011.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without a competitive bid, it's difficult to assess if the fixed fee represents fair market value for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was 'NOT COMPETED', indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overspending of taxpayer funds, as the government did not explore potentially lower-cost alternatives.

Public Impact

Research and Development funding supports innovation in critical scientific fields. The National Committee for Quality Assurance is a recognized entity in healthcare quality measurement. Long-term contracts can provide stability for research projects but require diligent oversight. The specific impact on the public depends on the outcomes of the R&D activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics

Positive Signals

Focus on R&D
Award to a specialized organization

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector (NAICS 541710). Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement, but requires careful evaluation of research outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a non-profit organization, not a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements or participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests a potential lack of robust initial oversight in exploring competitive options. Ongoing oversight would be critical to manage the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and ensure value for money.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition
Cost Plus Fixed Fee can lead to cost overruns
Potential for suboptimal pricing due to lack of competition
Limited transparency on R&D outcomes
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.3 million to NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE.

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 $10.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-29. End: 2011-09-28.

What specific R&D activities were undertaken, and what were the measurable outcomes?

The provided data does not detail the specific R&D activities or their measurable outcomes. Further investigation into contract performance reports and deliverables would be necessary to assess the value generated by the $10.3 million investment. Understanding the project's objectives and achievements is key to determining if the funds were used effectively for advancing physical, engineering, or life sciences.

How was the fixed fee determined in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure to ensure fairness?

The determination of the fixed fee in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract typically involves negotiation based on the anticipated costs and a reasonable profit margin for the contractor. Without details on the negotiation process or benchmarks used, it's difficult to ascertain fairness. A review of the contractor's cost proposals and the government's cost analysis would be needed to evaluate if the fee adequately compensated the National Committee for Quality Assurance while representing good value.

What was the justification for not competing this contract, and did it lead to suboptimal pricing?

The justification for not competing the contract is not provided in the data. Sole-source awards, while sometimes necessary, often lead to suboptimal pricing due to the absence of market competition. This lack of competitive pressure may have resulted in the government paying more than it would have under a fully competed scenario. An audit or review of the sole-source justification would be required to understand the rationale and assess the pricing impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2000 L ST NW STE 500, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,276,489

Exercised Options: $10,276,489

Current Obligation: $10,276,489

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline