HHS awards $9.97M for Biosafety Training to Frontline Healthcare Workers Safety Foundation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,967,147 ($10.0M)
Contractor: Frontline Healthcare Workers Safety Foundation, Ltd
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2005-09-30
End Date: 2010-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NATIONAL BIOSAFETY AND BIOCANTAINMENT TRAINING PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30338
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.0 million to FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS SAFETY FOUNDATION, LTD for work described as: NATIONAL BIOSAFETY AND BIOCANTAINMENT TRAINING PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract focuses on specialized scientific and technical consulting services. 2. Competition was limited, raising potential concerns about price discovery. 3. The award value is significant for this niche service area. 4. Long contract duration (5 years) suggests a sustained need for these services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract was awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific service details, but the award value of nearly $10M over 5 years suggests a substantial investment in specialized training.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits the government's ability to ensure the best possible price through market forces.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.
Public Impact
Enhances safety protocols for healthcare workers in critical biosafety environments. Supports national preparedness for biological threats and research. Ensures consistent training standards across various healthcare facilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Potential for cost overruns if not managed effectively
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical national need for biosafety expertise
- Provides specialized training to frontline workers
- Long-term commitment ensures continuity of essential services
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' a broad category. Spending in this area can vary widely depending on the specific expertise required. The value of this award is significant for a specialized training program.
Small Business Impact
The awardee is listed as 'FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS SAFETY FOUNDATION, LTD.' Further analysis would be needed to determine if this is a small business and if subcontracting opportunities were provided.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of HHS. Standard government oversight processes would apply to ensure performance and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Potential for price inefficiency
- Limited transparency on awardee's specific qualifications
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-health-and-human-services, ga, dca, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.0 million to FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS SAFETY FOUNDATION, LTD. NATIONAL BIOSAFETY AND BIOCANTAINMENT TRAINING PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS SAFETY FOUNDATION, LTD.
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 $10.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-09-30. End: 2010-09-29.
What specific biosafety and biocontainment expertise does the awardee possess to justify a non-competitive award of this magnitude?
The provided data does not detail the specific expertise of FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS SAFETY FOUNDATION, LTD. A non-competitive award of this size typically requires a justification of capability, unique qualifications, or lack of other responsible sources. Further investigation into the justification for other than full and open competition would be necessary to understand the rationale.
What is the potential risk associated with a 5-year firm-fixed-price contract for specialized training services awarded without competition?
The primary risk lies in the potential for paying above-market rates due to the absence of competitive bidding. Additionally, if the training needs evolve significantly over the 5-year period, the fixed-price nature might make it difficult or costly to adapt the curriculum. Ensuring robust performance monitoring is crucial to mitigate these risks.
How effective is this training program in improving national biosafety and biocontainment capabilities, and how is this effectiveness measured?
The effectiveness of the training program is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such programs would have performance metrics tied to trainee competency, incident reduction, or adherence to safety protocols. The National Institutes of Health would be responsible for establishing and monitoring these metrics to ensure the program's impact on national capabilities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3 DUNWOODY PARK, ATLANTA, GA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,470,889
Exercised Options: $9,967,147
Current Obligation: $9,967,147
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-09-30
Current End Date: 2010-09-29
Potential End Date: 2011-09-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-09-25
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