HHS NIH Awards $19.3M Contract for Custom Computer Programming to RNSOLUTIONS, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,386,529 ($13.4M)

Contractor: Rnsolutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2007-09-18

End Date: 2012-06-03

Contract Duration: 1,720 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ERA OPERATIONS SUPPORT OBLIGATION - $96,100.00CONTRACT CEILING: $19,323,552.

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $13.4 million to RNSOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: ERA OPERATIONS SUPPORT OBLIGATION - $96,100.00CONTRACT CEILING: $19,323,552. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to RNSOLUTIONS, LLC for custom computer programming services. 2. The contract has a ceiling of $19.3 million, with $96,100 obligated to date. 3. This is a competitive delivery order under a larger contract. 4. The contract is for services in Maryland, falling under the IT sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The obligated amount is a small fraction of the contract ceiling, suggesting early-stage performance or potential underutilization. Pricing assessment is difficult without more data on task orders.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This was a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely competed for this specific task. The competitive nature should have driven price discovery, but the final price paid is unknown.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is a positive sign for taxpayer value, but the overall cost-effectiveness depends on the services delivered and the final amount spent against the ceiling.

Public Impact

Supports critical health research and operations at NIH. Ensures availability of specialized IT programming expertise for federal health agencies. Potential for long-term IT infrastructure development and maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Low obligation amount relative to contract ceiling may indicate underperformance or future risk.
Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) contracts can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process suggests potential for good value.
Long contract duration (2007-2012) indicates sustained need for services.

Sector Analysis

The IT sector, particularly custom computer programming, is crucial for federal agencies. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on complexity and scope, but a $19.3M ceiling for a 5-year period is within a typical range for specialized IT support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to RNSOLUTIONS, LLC, and does not specify if they are a small business. Further investigation would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting a degree of oversight in the selection process. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent monitoring to ensure cost control and performance.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
Low initial obligation compared to ceiling may indicate future uncertainty or risk.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data hinders full assessment.
Small business participation is not specified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $13.4 million to RNSOLUTIONS, LLC. ERA OPERATIONS SUPPORT OBLIGATION - $96,100.00CONTRACT CEILING: $19,323,552.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RNSOLUTIONS, LLC.

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 $13.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-18. End: 2012-06-03.

What was the final amount spent against the $19.3M ceiling, and how did it compare to the value of services received?

The provided data only shows an initial obligation of $96,100 against a $19.3M ceiling. Without the final expenditure data and a clear understanding of the services rendered, it's impossible to assess the final value. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure costs align with performance and taxpayer expectations.

What were the specific performance metrics and award fee criteria used for this Cost Plus Award Fee contract?

The specific performance metrics and award fee criteria are not detailed in the provided data. For a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, these are critical for ensuring the contractor meets objectives and for justifying any award fees paid. Understanding these would be key to assessing the contractor's performance and the overall effectiveness of the contract.

How did the competitive delivery order process ensure fair pricing and optimal resource allocation for NIH's IT needs?

The competitive delivery order process implies that multiple vendors were considered, which generally promotes fair pricing through market forces. However, the effectiveness of price discovery depends on the specific competition conducted and the clarity of the requirements. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure also influences the final cost, making it essential to track performance against established criteria.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3206 TOWER OAKS BLVD # 100, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,304,360

Exercised Options: $14,163,880

Current Obligation: $13,386,529

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0239K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline