HHS Awards $20.8M for Exam Prep Services to Palmetto GBA, LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,859,928 ($20.9M)
Contractor: Palmetto GBA, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2013-07-01
End Date: 2016-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ROUND 2 REBID AND THE NATIONAL MAIL ORDER
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBIA, RICHLAND County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29203
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $20.9 million to PALMETTO GBA, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ROUND 2 REBID AND THE NATIONAL MAIL ORDER Key points: 1. The contract value of $20.86 million for exam preparation and tutoring services is a significant investment in professional development. 2. Palmetto GBA, LLC, a known entity in healthcare administration, secured this award. 3. The use of 'Full and Open Competition' suggests a robust process aimed at achieving best value. 4. The sector is healthcare, specifically within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $20.86 million over three years for exam preparation and tutoring appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for educational services would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made under 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential contractors to participate, leading to better price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the procurement is expected to yield fair pricing, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential services.
Public Impact
Ensures CMS staff have access to necessary training and preparation for critical exams, enhancing workforce competency. Supports the ongoing operational effectiveness of CMS by maintaining a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. The competitive award process aims to provide value for money, benefiting taxpayers through efficient resource allocation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- Potential for scope creep in 'Time and Materials' contracts.
- Limited insight into the specific nature of the 'Exam Preparation and Tutoring'.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract awarded to a known entity in the healthcare sector.
- Clear contract duration and start/end dates.
Sector Analysis
The healthcare sector, particularly within government agencies like CMS, often requires specialized training and support services. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on the complexity and criticality of the exams and the number of personnel requiring training.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not primary awardees for this specific contract, as it was awarded to Palmetto GBA, LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated as subcontractors or were excluded from the bidding process.
Oversight & Accountability
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard government oversight mechanisms, including performance reviews and financial audits, would be in place to ensure accountability and proper execution of the contract.
Related Government Programs
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to 'Time and Materials' pricing.
- Lack of specific performance metrics for evaluating training effectiveness.
- Limited transparency on the competitive landscape beyond 'Full and Open Competition'.
- No indication of small business participation or subcontracting opportunities.
Tags
exam-preparation-and-tutoring, department-of-health-and-human-services, sc, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20.9 million to PALMETTO GBA, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF ROUND 2 REBID AND THE NATIONAL MAIL ORDER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PALMETTO GBA, LLC.
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 $20.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-07-01. End: 2016-06-30.
What specific exams or certifications are covered by this contract, and how does the training align with CMS's strategic goals?
The provided data does not specify the exact exams or certifications. However, it is reasonable to infer that the training supports roles and responsibilities within CMS, likely related to healthcare policy, administration, or compliance. Alignment with strategic goals would depend on the specific competencies being developed through the preparation and tutoring.
What is the benchmark cost per participant for this exam preparation, and how does it compare to industry standards?
A precise per-unit cost cannot be determined without knowing the number of participants and the specific services rendered. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure makes direct comparison difficult. However, the total contract value of $20.86 million over three years suggests a significant investment, necessitating a review against comparable industry training programs for similar professional certifications.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the exam preparation and tutoring services provided?
While not detailed in the provided data, standard government contracting practices would involve performance metrics, regular progress reports, and potentially user feedback mechanisms. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would typically monitor service delivery and ensure adherence to contract requirements to guarantee effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Other Schools and Instruction › Exam Preparation and Tutoring
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
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of South Carolina
Address: 17 TECHNOLOGY CIR, COLUMBIA, SC, 29203
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,859,928
Exercised Options: $20,859,928
Current Obligation: $20,859,928
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201200002B
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-07-01
Current End Date: 2016-06-30
Potential End Date: 2016-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-03-10
More Contracts from Palmetto GBA, LLC
- JM AB MAC Award — $1.1B (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Part A/Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Jurisdiction M (JM) — $635.6M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- A/B MAC Jurisdiction J — $496.5M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Other Government Insurance Programs — $455.0M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- TAS::75 0511::TAS Jurisdiction 11 A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor Services — $429.1M (Department of Health and Human Services)
Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
- Contact Center Operations (CCO) — $5.5B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- TAS::75 0849::TAS Oper of Govt R&D Goco Facilities — $4.8B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide the Full Complement of Services Necessary to Care for UC in ORR Custody Including Facilities Set-Up, Maintenance, and Support Internal and Perimeter (IF Applicable) Security, Direct Care and Supervision Inc — $3.5B (Rapid Deployment Inc)
- Contact Center Operations — $2.6B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- Federal Contract — $2.4B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →