HHS awards $31.7M contract for child and adolescent well-being research to Research Triangle Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,679,651 ($31.7M)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2015-09-30

End Date: 2022-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,649 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW)

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $31.7 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Research Triangle Institute is the sole awardee for this delivery order. 3. The contract spans nearly 7 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The award is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, common for research and development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without specific cost breakdowns for similar research services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process. However, it is a delivery order under a larger contract, so the initial competition details are not fully visible here.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical research into child and adolescent well-being, aiming to improve services and outcomes.

Public Impact

Supports vital research into the well-being of children and adolescents. The long duration suggests ongoing data collection and analysis. Research findings could inform policy and program development. Potential for improved understanding of factors affecting youth.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
Long contract duration may not reflect current needs or market conditions.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical area of public health and social services.
Awarded under full and open competition.
Long-term commitment to research indicates sustained focus.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services, a broad category. Benchmarking is challenging as it's tied to specific research needs rather than general consulting.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the prime contractor is Research Triangle Institute, a large research organization. There is no explicit information on small business participation in this specific delivery order.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration within HHS. The long duration necessitates consistent monitoring of progress and expenditures.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Long contract duration (nearly 7 years).
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics.
Potential for cost escalation without rigorous oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $31.7 million to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. IGF::OT::IGF NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WELL-BEING (NSCAW)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

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 $31.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-09-30. End: 2022-12-31.

What specific research objectives does this contract aim to achieve, and how will success be measured?

The contract supports the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW). Success will be measured by the collection and analysis of data related to child and adolescent well-being, informing policy and program development. Specific metrics would likely include data completeness, timeliness of reporting, and the quality of insights derived from the research.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for this type of research?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts carry the risk of cost overruns if the fixed fee is not adequately justified or if unforeseen research challenges arise. The contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Effective oversight is crucial to manage these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

How does the long contract duration impact the relevance and effectiveness of the research findings?

A long duration can be beneficial for longitudinal research, allowing for tracking trends over time. However, it also risks findings becoming outdated if societal factors or research methodologies evolve rapidly. Regular reviews and potential contract modifications would be necessary to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,679,651

Exercised Options: $31,679,651

Current Obligation: $31,679,651

Actual Outlays: $16,186,494

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $498,171

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSP233201500039I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline