HHS awards $29M for QPP MIPS support services to American Institutes for Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,982,649 ($29.0M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2017-09-01
End Date: 2022-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: QUALITY PAYMENT PROGRAM (QPP) MERIT-BASED INCENTIVE SYSTEM (MIPS)CUSTOMER AND PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES AWARD IGF::CT::IGF
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBIA, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21044
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $29.0 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: QUALITY PAYMENT PROGRAM (QPP) MERIT-BASED INCENTIVE SYSTEM (MIPS)CUSTOMER AND PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES AWARD IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for research and development in social sciences and humanities. 3. A significant duration of 5 years suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. The award value of $28.98M is substantial for specialized program support.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure is common for R&D services where scope can evolve. Benchmarking against similar support contracts for large federal programs is necessary to fully assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential program support.
Public Impact
Supports the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and its Merit-Based Incentive System (MIPS). Impacts healthcare providers participating in Medicare by ensuring program operational support. Facilitates research and development in social sciences related to healthcare policy.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract if not closely managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical program support over a long period.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a key healthcare initiative (QPP/MIPS).
- Long-term contract provides stability for program operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector often supports policy analysis, program evaluation, and data-driven decision-making for federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this specific award, though they may participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial for Time and Materials contracts to ensure cost control and performance.
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
- Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Long contract duration (5 years).
- No small business set-aside.
- Potential for scope creep.
- Reliance on contractor performance over an extended period.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $29.0 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. QUALITY PAYMENT PROGRAM (QPP) MERIT-BASED INCENTIVE SYSTEM (MIPS)CUSTOMER AND PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES AWARD IGF::CT::IGF
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.
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 $29.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-09-01. End: 2022-08-31.
Is the Time and Materials pricing structure appropriate for the evolving nature of R&D services in the QPP MIPS program?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used for R&D or services where the scope is not clearly defined upfront. For QPP MIPS, which undergoes policy changes and requires adaptive support, T&M can be suitable. However, it necessitates stringent oversight from CMS to manage labor hours and material costs effectively and prevent scope creep or unnecessary expenditures.
What are the primary risks associated with a 5-year Time and Materials contract for program support?
The primary risks include potential cost overruns due to the open-ended nature of T&M pricing, where costs are directly tied to labor hours and materials used. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in and reduced incentive for efficiency if not managed properly. Furthermore, if the contractor's performance degrades over time, the agency is committed for the duration, potentially impacting program effectiveness.
How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and MIPS?
This contract provides essential customer and program support services, which are critical for the smooth operation and successful implementation of QPP and MIPS. By ensuring that providers have access to necessary information, technical assistance, and program guidance, the contractor helps facilitate provider participation and compliance, ultimately contributing to the program's goals of improving healthcare quality and value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
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: 6
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1400 CRYSTAL DR 10TH FLR, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,626,104
Exercised Options: $28,982,649
Current Obligation: $28,982,649
Actual Outlays: $5,084,533
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $53,346
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201400032I
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-09-01
Current End Date: 2022-08-31
Potential End Date: 2022-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-16
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