HHS awarded $30.4M for R&D in social sciences and humanities to Research Triangle Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,406,153 ($30.4M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2013-06-03

End Date: 2018-12-02

Contract Duration: 2,008 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF FOR CLOSELY ASSOCIATED

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $30.4 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF FOR CLOSELY ASSOCIATED Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government. 4. The North Carolina location of the contractor could have regional economic implications. 5. The specific NAICS code (541720) points to specialized research and development services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $30.4 million over approximately five years appears reasonable for specialized R&D services in social sciences and humanities. Benchmarking against similar contracts would require access to a broader dataset of R&D contracts within HHS and other agencies. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government aimed for cost predictability, which is a positive indicator of value management.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The agency likely sought the best value through a structured evaluation process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it is expected to drive down costs and improve the quality of services through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers and institutions involved in social sciences and humanities, potentially leading to advancements in these fields. Services delivered include research and development activities, contributing to a deeper understanding of societal issues. The geographic impact is primarily centered around the contractor's location in North Carolina, but the research findings could have national implications. Workforce implications may include employment for researchers, analysts, and support staff at the Research Triangle Institute and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or outcome data makes it difficult to assess the true impact and effectiveness of the R&D.
The long contract duration could lead to potential complacency or a drift from initial objectives if not actively managed.
Reliance on a single awardee for a significant R&D effort might limit the diversity of approaches and perspectives.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair selection process.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating budget risks.
The contractor, Research Triangle Institute, is a known entity in the research community, implying a degree of established capability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. This is a niche area within the broader R&D market, often characterized by long-term projects and the pursuit of knowledge rather than immediate commercial application. Comparable spending benchmarks would be difficult to establish without more granular data on R&D in these specific fields across government agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the nature of specialized R&D, it is possible that the prime contractor may engage small businesses for specific research tasks or support services as subcontractors, but this is not explicitly stated. The absence of a set-aside suggests the competition was focused on technical capability and overall best value.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) at CMS, who monitors performance and ensures compliance with the contract terms. Accountability is established through the fixed-price nature of the contract and reporting requirements. Transparency would be enhanced by public contract data, but detailed project outcomes and specific oversight activities are generally not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation Research Grants
National Institutes of Health Research Contracts
Department of Education Research Initiatives
Social Science Research Council Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may require careful performance monitoring.
Fixed-price nature carries risk for contractor if R&D proves more complex than anticipated.
Specific performance metrics and outcomes not detailed in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $30.4 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::CL::IGF FOR CLOSELY ASSOCIATED

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

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 $30.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-06-03. End: 2018-12-02.

What is the track record of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) in securing and successfully executing government R&D contracts, particularly within HHS?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has a substantial history of performing research and development for various government agencies, including HHS. RTI is a well-established non-profit research institute known for its work across social, economic, and health policy domains. While specific performance metrics for this particular $30.4 million contract are not detailed in the provided data, RTI's longevity and continued success in obtaining federal funding suggest a generally positive track record. Their expertise in social sciences and humanities aligns with the contract's stated purpose. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and any publicly available reports on projects managed by RTI for HHS or similar agencies to assess timeliness, budget adherence, and the quality of research outcomes.

How does the $30.4 million award compare to typical R&D spending in social sciences and humanities by HHS or similar agencies?

The $30.4 million award to Research Triangle Institute (RTI) for R&D in social sciences and humanities represents a significant investment. However, without specific benchmarks for this niche area, direct comparison is challenging. HHS, through agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), invests billions annually in R&D, though much of it is in biomedical sciences. The specific NAICS code 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities) is less frequently funded in large, single awards compared to scientific or engineering R&D. This contract's value suggests a comprehensive, multi-year research program rather than a series of smaller studies. To provide a more precise comparison, one would need to analyze historical contract data for similar NAICS codes across HHS and other agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) or the Department of Education.

What are the primary risks associated with a fixed-price contract for R&D in social sciences and humanities?

A primary risk with fixed-price contracts, especially for R&D in social sciences and humanities, is the potential for scope creep or unforeseen challenges that increase costs beyond the initial estimate. R&D inherently involves uncertainty; outcomes are not guaranteed, and the path to achieving them can be unpredictable. If the contractor underestimates the effort required or encounters unexpected complexities in research design, data collection, or analysis, they may incur losses. Conversely, the government risks paying a premium if the contractor builds in excessive contingency to mitigate their own risk. Effective management by the government, including clear statement of work and regular progress reviews, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the contractor remains within budget while delivering the intended research objectives.

What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation imply about the selection process and potential value for taxpayers?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation signifies that the contract was awarded through a process where all responsible sources were allowed to submit proposals. This is generally considered the most competitive method and is favored for maximizing value and innovation. It implies that the agency actively sought bids from a wide range of potential contractors, fostering a competitive environment that should theoretically drive down prices and improve the quality of services offered. For taxpayers, this process is beneficial because it increases the likelihood that the government is receiving the best possible value for its money by selecting the most capable contractor at a fair price, rather than limiting options to a pre-approved or sole-source provider.

How has HHS spending on 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' (NAICS 541720) trended over the past decade?

Analyzing the spending trend for NAICS 541720 specifically within HHS over the past decade requires access to detailed federal procurement databases. While this single contract award of $30.4 million from 2013-2018 indicates activity in this area, it doesn't represent the overall trend. Generally, R&D spending within HHS is heavily weighted towards health sciences and biomedical research (e.g., NAICS codes related to medical research, biological sciences). Spending on social sciences and humanities R&D, while important for understanding societal factors influencing health and well-being, is typically a smaller portion of the total R&D budget. To determine the trend, one would need to aggregate all contracts awarded under NAICS 541720 by HHS over multiple fiscal years and observe patterns of increase, decrease, or stability.

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709

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: $30,406,153

Exercised Options: $30,406,153

Current Obligation: $30,406,153

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $3,158,131

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSM500201000021I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline