HHS awards $16.7M for scientific consulting, with full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,668,173 ($16.7M)
Contractor: Scientific Consulting Group Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2016-09-16
End Date: 2023-12-27
Contract Duration: 2,658 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC:1108176 [16-004636]
Place of Performance
Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20878
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $16.7 million to SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC:1108176 [16-004636] Key points: 1. The contract value is $16.7 million over its period of performance. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is for scientific consulting services, falling under NAICS code 541820. 4. The period of performance is extensive, spanning from 2016 to 2023.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $16.7 million appears reasonable for a multi-year scientific consulting engagement. Benchmarking against similar contracts would provide a more precise assessment, but the duration and scope suggest a fair price point.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition indicates that multiple vendors were likely able to bid on this contract. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently, as the government likely secured favorable pricing through a robust bidding process.
Public Impact
Public relations and scientific consulting services are essential for disseminating research findings and engaging stakeholders. The long contract duration implies a sustained need for these services by the National Institutes of Health. The substantial award amount highlights the significant investment in communication and outreach for health research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep given the long duration.
- Reliance on a single award type (Delivery Order) might limit flexibility.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures broad market access.
- Extensive period of performance indicates a stable, ongoing need.
- Clear agency and awarding body (HHS/NIH).
Sector Analysis
The scientific consulting sector, particularly within healthcare and research, often involves specialized expertise. Spending benchmarks for public relations and scientific advisory services can vary widely based on scope and duration, but this award appears substantial for NIH's needs.
Small Business Impact
While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, it is unclear if small businesses participated or benefited from subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The extensive period of performance and significant value suggest that robust oversight mechanisms should be in place to ensure contract compliance and effective service delivery by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Related Government Programs
- Public Relations Agencies
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration increases risk of obsolescence of services or changing needs.
- Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not closely monitored.
- Lack of specific detail on small business participation.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical consulting services over an extended period.
Tags
public-relations-agencies, 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 $16.7 million to SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC. IGF::OT::IGF SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC:1108176 [16-004636]
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC.
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 $16.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-09-16. End: 2023-12-27.
What specific scientific consulting services were provided under this contract, and how did they align with NIH's research objectives?
The contract, awarded under NAICS code 541820 (Public Relations Agencies), likely encompassed services related to communicating scientific advancements, engaging with research communities, and potentially managing public perception of NIH initiatives. The alignment with NIH's objectives would depend on the specific tasks outlined in the delivery orders, focusing on disseminating research findings, supporting grant communications, or facilitating public health campaigns.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of Scientific Consulting Group Inc.'s services?
Key performance indicators for such a contract might include the reach and impact of public relations campaigns, the clarity and accuracy of scientific communications, stakeholder engagement metrics, and timely delivery of reports or analyses. The effectiveness would be measured against the specific objectives set forth in each delivery order, ensuring that the consulting services contributed meaningfully to NIH's mission and research dissemination goals.
How did the pricing structure, based on 'LABOR HOURS', ensure cost-effectiveness over the contract's long duration?
A 'LABOR HOURS' pricing structure allows for flexibility, adapting costs to the actual effort expended. For cost-effectiveness over a long duration, robust monitoring of labor hours, adherence to pre-negotiated hourly rates, and clear task definitions are crucial. The government would need to ensure that the hours billed are reasonable and directly related to the contract's objectives to prevent cost overruns and maintain value for taxpayer money.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Public Relations Agencies
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
Solicitation ID: 7FCBH2070541B
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 656 QUINCE ORCHARD RD STE 210, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20878
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,668,173
Exercised Options: $16,668,173
Current Obligation: $16,668,173
Actual Outlays: $357,143
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS07F431AA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-09-16
Current End Date: 2023-12-27
Potential End Date: 2023-12-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-04
More Contracts from Scientific Consulting Group Inc
- Scientific Consulting Group INC:1108176 [18-003815] — $29.8M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Other Management Support Services — $15.8M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- Technology Transfer Support — $14.1M (Environmental Protection Agency)
- Oria/Ied Communications, Engagement and General Program Support Call Order Will Support General Communications and Outreach for the Asthma Program, Including Sending Email Campaigns and Maintaining Contact Lists, Promoting Asthma Awareness Month a — $3.2M (Environmental Protection Agency)
View all Scientific Consulting Group Inc federal contracts →
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 →