HHS awarded $55.2M for enrollment assistance, with General Dynamics leading IT services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,214,219 ($55.2M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2013-08-30

End Date: 2017-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,492 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $55.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract value of $55.2M over four years suggests a significant investment in administrative management. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market approach. 3. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is the primary contractor, suggesting established capabilities in IT and management consulting. 4. The contract duration of 1492 days (approx. 4 years) allows for sustained program support. 5. The NAICS code 541611 points to a focus on administrative and general management consulting services. 6. The award type is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $55.2 million over approximately four years for enrollment assistance and IT services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT and administrative support contracts for federal health programs is necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the duration and scale suggest a substantial need for these services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically involves a broad solicitation to all eligible responsible sources. This method is designed to maximize competition and potentially achieve better pricing and quality. The presence of multiple bidders, though not explicitly stated, is implied by the nature of full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to cost savings and innovative solutions, ensuring federal dollars are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include individuals seeking enrollment in health programs managed by CMS. Services delivered encompass administrative management and general management consulting, likely related to program enrollment processes. The geographic impact is likely national, given the scope of CMS programs. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for IT professionals, consultants, and administrative staff supporting the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single large contractor could pose risks if performance falters.
Ensuring data security and privacy for sensitive health enrollment information is critical.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Long contract duration allows for stability and continuity of essential services.
General Dynamics' established presence in government contracting indicates potential for reliable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology and Professional Services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and management consulting. The federal IT services market is substantial, with significant spending allocated to support healthcare programs. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large contracts for IT support and program management within HHS and CMS.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting planned for this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) contracting officers and program managers. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Implementation
Medicare Enrollment Systems
Medicaid Management Systems
Health Insurance Marketplace Support
Federal Health IT Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues given the scale and duration.
Data security and privacy risks inherent in handling sensitive health information.
Dependence on contractor's technical expertise and system reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $55.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF - ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, 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 $55.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-08-30. End: 2017-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'enrollment assistance' provided under this contract?

The contract description 'ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM' combined with the NAICS code '541611' (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services) suggests that the services provided likely involve supporting the processes and systems related to enrolling individuals into federal health programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid. This could include customer support, application processing, system maintenance, data management, and consulting on process improvements to streamline enrollment. The 'Delivery Order' nature implies it's a task order under a broader IDIQ contract, potentially for specific phases or components of enrollment assistance.

How does the $55.2 million contract value compare to similar enrollment assistance or IT support contracts within HHS?

A comprehensive comparison requires access to a broader dataset of HHS contracts. However, $55.2 million over approximately four years represents a significant investment, averaging around $13.8 million annually. This figure is substantial for specialized IT and administrative support services within the healthcare sector. Larger contracts for similar functions within CMS or other HHS agencies can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity, duration, and scope of services. The value here appears consistent with large-scale federal IT support contracts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

Specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data. However, for an enrollment assistance program contract, typical KPIs would likely include metrics such as enrollment application processing times, accuracy rates, call center wait times and resolution rates (if applicable), system uptime and performance, user satisfaction, and compliance with federal regulations. The success of the contract would be measured against the government's defined performance standards and objectives outlined in the contract's statement of work.

What is General Dynamics Information Technology's track record with similar HHS or CMS contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) has a long and extensive history of providing IT and professional services to various federal agencies, including HHS and CMS. They are a major federal contractor known for supporting large-scale health IT initiatives, including those related to Medicare, Medicaid, and health information exchange. Their track record typically involves managing complex systems, providing technical support, and implementing IT solutions. Past performance reviews and contract databases would offer more granular details on their specific successes and challenges with similar programs.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include technical failures of IT systems supporting enrollment, data breaches or privacy violations, contractor performance issues leading to delays or inefficiencies, and cost overruns. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by CMS, clearly defined performance standards and service level agreements (SLAs), regular performance reviews, security protocols and audits to protect data, and contingency planning. The use of a delivery order under an IDIQ contract may also allow for flexibility in managing scope and addressing emerging risks.

How has spending on enrollment assistance programs evolved over the years, and does this contract represent a trend?

Spending on enrollment assistance programs is often influenced by legislative changes (like the Affordable Care Act), shifts in healthcare policy, and the overall demand for health insurance. The evolution of technology also plays a role, with increasing reliance on digital platforms and IT solutions. This $55.2 million contract, awarded in 2013 and ending in 2017, reflects a period of significant activity in health insurance enrollment. Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar programs would indicate whether this contract size is typical, an increase, or a decrease relative to prior or subsequent periods.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 15036 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,214,219

Exercised Options: $55,214,219

Current Obligation: $55,214,219

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F9806H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline