HHS awarded $10.3M contract to Mathematica Inc. for youth health program evaluation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,291,813 ($10.3M)

Contractor: Mathematica Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2014-09-22

End Date: 2020-03-21

Contract Duration: 2,007 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT,CL::IGF FEDERAL EVALUATION OF SELECTED PROGRAMS FOR EXPECTANT AND PARENTING YOUTH FOR THE OFFICE OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH (OAH)

Place of Performance

Location: PRINCETON, MERCER County, NEW JERSEY, 08540

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.3 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: IGF::CT,CL::IGF FEDERAL EVALUATION OF SELECTED PROGRAMS FOR EXPECTANT AND PARENTING YOUTH FOR THE OFFICE OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH (OAH) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Mathematica Inc. for program evaluation. 2. Full and open competition was used. 3. Contract duration is over 5 years. 4. Spending is within the marketing research sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.3M over 5 years for program evaluation appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale program evaluations would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for a program evaluation aimed at improving outcomes for expectant and parenting youth.

Public Impact

Supports initiatives for adolescent health and well-being. Provides data for future program improvements. Contracting process aimed for competitive pricing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Contract duration is long (over 5 years).
  • Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition utilized.
  • Contract supports a public health initiative.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (NAICS 541910). Spending in this sector is typically for data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration oversaw this contract. Standard oversight procedures for federal contracts should apply.

Related Government Programs

  • Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
  • Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
  • Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration Programs

Risk Flags

  • Long contract duration.
  • Time and Materials pricing structure.
  • Potential for scope creep in evaluation projects.
  • Need for robust performance monitoring.

Tags

marketing-research-and-public-opinion-po, department-of-health-and-human-services, nj, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.3 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. IGF::CT,CL::IGF FEDERAL EVALUATION OF SELECTED PROGRAMS FOR EXPECTANT AND PARENTING YOUTH FOR THE OFFICE OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH (OAH)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-22. End: 2020-03-21.

What specific metrics were used to evaluate the success of the OAH programs?

The contract likely outlines specific performance metrics and deliverables for the evaluation. These would typically include data collection methodologies, analysis frameworks, and reporting requirements focused on program outcomes, participant engagement, and cost-effectiveness. The final evaluation report would detail the findings against these predefined metrics.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for program evaluation?

Time and Materials contracts carry a risk of cost escalation if the scope of work is not well-defined or if project timelines extend beyond initial estimates. Without a ceiling price, the government is liable for all hours worked and materials used, potentially leading to higher overall costs than a fixed-price contract. Effective oversight is crucial to mitigate this risk.

How will the findings of this evaluation impact future federal spending on similar programs?

The evaluation findings are intended to inform future program design, resource allocation, and policy decisions. If the programs are deemed effective and cost-efficient, it could lead to continued or increased funding. Conversely, if significant shortcomings are identified, it may prompt program restructuring, reallocation of funds to more effective initiatives, or even program termination.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesOther Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesMarketing Research and Public Opinion Polling

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 14233SOL00413

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 ALEXANDER PARK, PRINCETON, NJ, 08540

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,569,436

Exercised Options: $10,291,813

Current Obligation: $10,291,813

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2014-09-22

Current End Date: 2020-03-21

Potential End Date: 2020-08-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-03-02

More Contracts from Mathematica Inc.

View all Mathematica Inc. federal contracts →

Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts

View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending