HHS awards $7.9M for Management Consulting, highlighting potential for cost savings in administrative services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,929,257 ($7.9M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2015-09-30

End Date: 2020-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF PROGRAM EVALUATION AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OWH

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60603

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $7.9 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF PROGRAM EVALUATION AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OWH Key points: 1. Spending of $7.9M on administrative management consulting services. 2. Contract awarded via full and open competition. 3. Potential for cost efficiencies in program evaluation and performance management. 4. Services provided by National Opinion Research Center, a known entity in research and analysis.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7.9M for a 5-year period appears reasonable for specialized administrative management consulting. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program evaluation support is needed for a definitive assessment.

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. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary administrative support services.

Public Impact

Supports critical government functions in program evaluation and performance management. Ensures accountability and effectiveness of federal programs. Leverages external expertise for specialized consulting needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
  • Potential for scope creep in consulting services.
  • Reliance on a single contractor for a significant duration.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition.
  • Supports essential government operations.
  • Utilizes specialized expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, a broad category. Spending benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on the specific services and duration.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor meets performance expectations and delivers value for money. Regular reviews of deliverables and adherence to contract terms are essential.

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

  • Time and Materials contract type.
  • Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data.
  • Potential for scope creep in consulting services.
  • Long contract duration (5 years).

Tags

administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, il, delivery-order, 1m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $7.9 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. IGF::OT::IGF PROGRAM EVALUATION AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OWH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

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 $7.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-09-30. End: 2020-09-29.

What specific performance metrics were established to measure the success of the program evaluation and performance management support services?

The provided data does not detail specific performance metrics. A thorough review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and any associated performance work statements (PWS) would be necessary to identify these metrics. Effective oversight would involve tracking contractor performance against these defined benchmarks to ensure value and accountability.

What is the potential risk of cost overruns or inefficiencies given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type?

Time and Materials contracts carry inherent risks of cost overruns if not managed diligently. The government must actively monitor labor hours, rates, and material costs to prevent inefficiencies. Clear task definitions and strong oversight are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring the contractor remains focused on delivering defined objectives within budget.

How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure competitive pricing for these consulting services?

Full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing. The effectiveness in this specific case would depend on the number of bids received, the range of proposed prices, and the final negotiated price relative to the government's estimate. A post-award analysis of the bidding process would provide a clearer picture of price discovery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesManagement, Scientific, and Technical Consulting ServicesAdministrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15233SOL00574

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60637

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: $7,929,257

Exercised Options: $7,929,257

Current Obligation: $7,929,257

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSP233201500048I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2015-09-30

Current End Date: 2020-09-29

Potential End Date: 2020-09-29 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-15

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