HHS awards $11.6M contract for Communications Support to MASIMAX RESOURCES, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,635,090 ($11.6M)

Contractor: Masimax Resources, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2004-09-29

End Date: 2009-12-30

Contract Duration: 1,918 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $11.6 million to MASIMAX RESOURCES, INC for work described as: COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $11.6 million over 5 years. 2. Awarded under full and open competition. 3. Potential risk in fixed-fee structure impacting cost control. 4. Services fall under IT/Professional Services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar communications support contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the CPFF pricing structure may not incentivize the most cost-effective solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for communications support services. The CPFF structure warrants close monitoring to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures continued communication services for NIH. Supports public health information dissemination. Potential for improved public engagement through effective communication.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure
Long contract duration (5 years)

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Supports critical health agency functions

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically communications support. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on scope and duration, but $11.6M over 5 years suggests a significant operational requirement.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's CPFF structure necessitates robust oversight from HHS to ensure costs are reasonable and fixed fees are justified. Performance metrics should be closely monitored.

Related Government Programs

Book Publishers
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure
Lack of detailed service scope
Long-term commitment may reduce flexibility
Limited insight into small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $11.6 million to MASIMAX RESOURCES, INC. COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MASIMAX RESOURCES, 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 $11.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-29. End: 2009-12-30.

What specific communication services are included in this contract?

The provided data only specifies 'COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT' broadly. A detailed breakdown of services such as public relations, media outreach, content creation, digital strategy, and internal communications would be necessary to fully assess the contract's scope and value.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact cost efficiency for this contract?

The CPFF structure means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. While it allows for flexibility, it can incentivize higher costs as the fee is fixed regardless of the total cost. This necessitates strong government oversight to control expenditures and ensure value.

What is the expected impact of these communication services on NIH's mission?

Effective communication support is crucial for NIH to disseminate research findings, public health information, and engage with stakeholders. This contract likely aims to enhance NIH's ability to reach target audiences, build public trust, and support its research and health initiatives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › Book Publishers

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Research Triangle Institute (UEI: 004868105)

Address: 6110 EXECUTIVE BLVD STE 415, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,054,511

Exercised Options: $11,635,090

Current Obligation: $11,635,090

Timeline