HHS awards $12.4M cost-plus contract to Metastar for Public Health Programs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,391,495 ($12.4M)

Contractor: Metastar, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2008-02-25

End Date: 2009-02-17

Contract Duration: 358 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: TAS::75 0511::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: MADISON, DANE County, WISCONSIN, 53713

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $12.4 million to METASTAR, INC. for work described as: TAS::75 0511::TAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Metastar, Inc. for $12.4 million. 2. The contract is for Administration of Public Health Programs. 3. Awarded by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 4. Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee. 5. Duration of the contract is 358 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. The award fee structure needs close monitoring to ensure it incentivizes efficiency and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited source selection. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competitive process.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying more due to the lack of competition. The effectiveness of public health programs funded by this contract is not detailed. Oversight of the cost-plus award fee structure is crucial for fiscal responsibility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Cost Plus Award Fee contract type
Lack of detailed performance metrics

Positive Signals

Contract supports public health programs
Established vendor relationship

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Administration of Public Health Programs, a critical area for government spending. Benchmarks for similar contracts are not readily available without more specific program details.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition and cost-plus award fee structure necessitate robust oversight from CMS to ensure funds are used effectively and efficiently.

Related Government Programs

Administration of Public Health Programs
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Cost Plus Award Fee structure
Potential for cost overruns
Lack of transparency on specific programs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $12.4 million to METASTAR, INC.. TAS::75 0511::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METASTAR, 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 $12.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-02-25. End: 2009-02-17.

What specific public health programs are being administered under this contract, and what are the expected outcomes?

The provided data does not specify the exact public health programs. To assess value, it's essential to understand the scope of services, the target populations, and the measurable outcomes expected from Metastar, Inc.'s administration. Without this, it's difficult to determine if the $12.4 million investment is yielding significant public health benefits.

What are the risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee contract for public health program administration?

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts carry inherent risks, including potential for cost overruns if the award fee criteria are not tightly defined and monitored. There's a risk that the contractor may prioritize achieving the award fee over strict cost control or optimal program delivery. Effective oversight is critical to mitigate these risks and ensure taxpayer funds are used judiciously.

How does the lack of competition impact the overall effectiveness and cost-efficiency of this contract?

A sole-source or limited competition award inherently reduces price discovery and competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed. While Metastar, Inc. may be uniquely qualified, the absence of competition makes it harder to benchmark pricing and ensure the most cost-effective solution was secured for administering public health programs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Administration of Human Resource Programs › Administration of Public Health Programs

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › DEPENDENT MEDICARE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2909 LANDMARK PL, MADISON, WI, 53713

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,391,495

Exercised Options: $12,391,495

Current Obligation: $12,391,495

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline