HHS Awards $31.1M for Social Science R&D to Booz Allen Hamilton Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,133,539 ($31.1M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2016-09-30

End Date: 2022-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,949 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CPC+ NATIONAL LEARNING NETWORK

Place of Performance

Location: WINDSOR MILL, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21244

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $31.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CPC+ NATIONAL LEARNING NETWORK Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a large, established firm (Booz Allen Hamilton) indicating potential for significant project scope and complexity. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust price discovery process, though the final price is cost-plus-fixed-fee. 3. Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities is a niche area, making direct cost comparisons challenging. 4. The contract spans over 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these specialized research services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult due to the specialized nature of social science R&D.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was utilized, which is positive for price discovery. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized research, with the ultimate impact and value dependent on the outcomes of the R&D.

Public Impact

Supports advancements in social sciences and humanities research, potentially impacting public policy and understanding. The award to a single contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, concentrates this specific R&D effort. Long contract duration suggests sustained government interest in the research area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Specialized R&D area makes direct cost benchmarking difficult.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Award to a well-established contractor.
Long-term commitment to research in social sciences and humanities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on government priorities and specific research needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract, as the 'sb' field is false. This suggests the contract was awarded to a large business or a joint venture where small business participation was not a stated requirement or outcome.

Oversight & Accountability

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type necessitates robust oversight from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure that costs are reasonable and the fixed fee is justified by the work performed.

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

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Lack of specific performance metrics or expected outcomes.
No small business participation noted.
Specialized R&D area with potentially difficult value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $31.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. IGF::OT::IGF CPC+ NATIONAL LEARNING NETWORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON 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 $31.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-30. End: 2022-01-31.

What specific research outcomes are expected from this $31.1M investment in social sciences and humanities R&D, and how will their value be measured?

The specific research outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. Measuring the value of social science R&D is often qualitative, focusing on contributions to policy development, improved understanding of societal issues, or advancements in theoretical frameworks. A clear plan for evaluating the impact and success of the research projects funded under this contract would be necessary to assess its true value.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds?

While the data specifies a Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, it does not detail the specific oversight mechanisms. Effective mitigation typically involves detailed cost proposals, regular audits, performance reviews, and clear milestones. The contracting agency, CMS, would need to actively monitor expenditures against the proposed budget and the contractor's performance to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee is earned.

How does this contract contribute to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' broader mission, and what is the anticipated effectiveness of the research in informing agency decisions?

The provided data does not explicitly link this social science R&D contract to CMS's mission. However, research in social sciences and humanities can inform policy, program design, and evaluation related to healthcare access, patient behavior, and health outcomes. The effectiveness will depend on the relevance of the research topics chosen and the agency's ability to integrate the findings into its decision-making processes.

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: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,133,539

Exercised Options: $31,133,539

Current Obligation: $31,133,539

Actual Outlays: $1,781,231

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 18

Total Subaward Amount: $15,425,041

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201400030I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline