NIH awards $34.5M to Emmes Corp for R&D services over 10 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,470,332 ($34.5M)

Contractor: Emmes Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2005-09-30

End Date: 2015-06-01

Contract Duration: 3,531 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TAS::75 0887::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $34.5 million to EMMES CORPORATION for work described as: TAS::75 0887::TAS Key points: 1. Significant contract value awarded to a single vendor. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. Contract duration spans a decade, indicating long-term need. 4. Research and Development sector focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the long duration and cost-plus nature may limit competitive pressure over time.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are committed for a decade, with potential for costs to exceed initial estimates due to the CPFF structure.

Public Impact

Long-term commitment of federal funds for research. Potential for significant impact on scientific advancement. Ensures continuity of services for NIH research initiatives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility and competitive pressure.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition ensures a broad vendor pool.
Long-term award provides stability for critical research.
NIH is a leading research agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically in social sciences and humanities. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing knowledge and policy.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business, suggesting larger, established firms are likely competing in this space.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is critical for Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. The long duration necessitates ongoing monitoring by the agency.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure
Long contract duration (10 years)
Lack of specific performance metrics in data
Potential for cost overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $34.5 million to EMMES CORPORATION. TAS::75 0887::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EMMES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-09-30. End: 2015-06-01.

What specific research areas are covered by this contract, and how does the awarded amount align with the scope of work?

The contract number (541720) indicates Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. The awarded amount of $34.5M over 10 years suggests a substantial, ongoing research support role. Without detailed statements of work, it's hard to precisely benchmark the value, but it implies significant project management or research execution.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is Emmes Corporation's performance being measured?

The provided data does not include specific KPIs or performance metrics. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, especially one of this duration and value, robust performance monitoring is essential. Agencies typically track milestones, deliverables, and adherence to research protocols to ensure effective use of funds.

How does the fixed fee component of this contract compare to industry standards for similar R&D services?

Determining the 'fairness' of the fixed fee requires detailed knowledge of the specific services rendered, the complexity of the research, and the associated risks. Benchmarking is challenging without access to Emmes Corporation's cost structure and profit margins, or comparative data from similar long-term R&D support contracts.

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: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 401 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 700, ROCKVILLE, MD, MD

Business Categories: Category Business, Emerging Small Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,897,055

Exercised Options: $50,897,055

Current Obligation: $34,470,332

Timeline