HHS awards $12.7M contract for basic services to Westat, Inc., with a 5-year duration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,724,711 ($12.7M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2008-08-20
End Date: 2013-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,866 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 329
Pricing Type: OTHER (NONE OF THE ABOVE)
Sector: Other
Official Description: SERVICES (BASIC)
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $12.7 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: SERVICES (BASIC) Key points: 1. The contract value of $12.7 million over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not detailed, but the award type indicates a broad solicitation. 3. The duration of the contract (1866 days) is substantial, implying a need for sustained service delivery. 4. Performance context is limited, but the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code points to a broad range of potential IT or data support. 5. Sector positioning within Health and Human Services is significant, focusing on substance abuse and mental health services. 6. Risk indicators are not explicitly provided, but the contract's age (awarded in 2008) may warrant a review of current relevance and performance.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $12.7 million over approximately five years equates to an average annual spend of roughly $2.5 million. Without specific details on the 'basic services' rendered, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, for IT or data support services within federal agencies, this annual spend falls within a common range for mid-sized projects. The pricing assessment would require a breakdown of labor categories, hours, and rates, which are not available in the provided data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bids received (no=329 is likely a different metric, possibly related to task orders or a different contract vehicle). A full and open competition generally suggests a healthy level of market interest and provides the government with the widest possible range of options.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a competitive bidding process, which can lead to better pricing and innovative solutions. This approach maximizes the opportunity to secure the best value for government funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely individuals and communities served by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through the services provided under this contract. The contract supports 'Other Computer Related Services,' which could encompass a wide array of functions such as data analysis, IT support, system maintenance, or research assistance for SAMHSA programs. The geographic impact is national, as SAMHSA operates across the United States, supporting various public health initiatives. Workforce implications could include employment for IT professionals, data analysts, researchers, and administrative staff at Westat, Inc., and potentially indirectly through the programs SAMHSA supports.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract awarded in 2008, raising questions about the currency of the services and technology employed.
- Lack of specific details on 'basic services' makes it difficult to assess the true scope and value.
- The NAICS code '541519' is very broad, potentially masking specialized or less critical IT functions.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair selection process.
- The contract duration of nearly five years indicates a stable and ongoing need for the services.
- The award to Westat, Inc., a known government contractor, suggests a level of established capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Professional Services sector, specifically serving the federal government's health and human services domain. The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is a catch-all for IT services not classified elsewhere, including areas like IT consulting, data processing, and custom software development. Federal spending in this category is substantial, driven by the need for advanced IT infrastructure and specialized support across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific nature of the 'basic services' provided, but contracts of this value are common for supporting specific program offices or research initiatives.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The award to a large business (Westat, Inc.) means that opportunities for small business participation would likely be through prime contractor subcontracting, if Westat chose to engage them, which is not specified here.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, where basic information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- HHS IT Services Contracts
- SAMHSA Program Support
- Federal Data Analysis Services
- Professional and Technical Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for outdated technology or services due to 2008 award date.
- Lack of specific service details hinders comprehensive value assessment.
- Broad NAICS code obscures the precise nature of IT services provided.
Tags
health-and-human-services, substance-abuse-and-mental-health-services-administration, westat-inc, it-services, data-services, full-and-open-competition, professional-services, federal-contract, maryland, mid-size-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $12.7 million to WESTAT, INC.. SERVICES (BASIC)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-08-20. End: 2013-09-29.
What specific 'basic services' were provided under this contract?
The provided data identifies the NAICS code as 541519 ('Other Computer Related Services') and the description as 'SERVICES (BASIC)'. This is a very broad classification. Typically, 'basic services' in this context could refer to foundational IT support, data entry, basic data analysis, system maintenance, or administrative support related to computer systems. Without further documentation or a detailed statement of work, the precise nature of the services remains undefined. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to fully assess the contract's value, performance, and relevance to SAMHSA's mission.
How does the contract value of $12.7 million compare to similar federal contracts for IT or data services?
The total contract value of $12.7 million over approximately five years (1866 days) averages to about $2.5 million per year. This annual spend is moderate within the federal IT services landscape. Many federal agencies award contracts ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars annually for similar IT support, data analysis, and professional services. The comparison is highly dependent on the specific services rendered, the complexity of the tasks, and the required expertise. For broad 'basic services,' this value is within a common range, but without more detail, a precise benchmark is not feasible.
What is the track record of Westat, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly within HHS?
Westat, Inc. is a well-established research and data collection firm that has a significant history of contracting with U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Their portfolio often includes large-scale surveys, data analysis, program evaluation, and IT support for health and social science research. While this specific contract was awarded in 2008, Westat has continued to secure numerous federal awards since then. A deeper dive into their performance on other HHS contracts, particularly those involving similar services, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability.
Given the contract's award date in 2008, what are the potential risks associated with its relevance and performance today?
Contracts awarded in 2008, especially in the IT and computer services sector, carry inherent risks related to technological obsolescence and evolving requirements. The 'basic services' provided might no longer align with current technological standards or agency needs. Performance metrics from over a decade ago may not accurately reflect current capabilities or challenges. Furthermore, the competitive landscape and pricing models for IT services have likely changed significantly since 2008. A thorough review would be needed to determine if the services are still necessary, if the contractor's performance remains adequate, and if the pricing is still competitive in today's market.
What does the 'no' field value of 329 signify in the context of this contract?
The 'no' field, with a value of 329, is not explicitly defined in the provided schema snippet as the number of bidders. In federal procurement databases like FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System), 'no' often refers to the 'Number of Offers Received' or 'Number of Bids'. If this is the case, 329 offers indicate a highly competitive bidding process for this contract, which is generally positive for securing good value. However, without explicit confirmation of the field's meaning in this specific data context, it's an assumption. If it represents something else, like the number of task orders issued under a larger IDIQ, its interpretation would differ significantly.
How does the broad NAICS code 541519 impact the analysis of this contract?
The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is extremely broad and acts as a catch-all for IT services not specifically classified under other codes. This lack of specificity means the contract could encompass anything from basic help desk support and network maintenance to data processing, IT consulting, or even custom software development. This ambiguity makes it challenging to perform precise benchmarking against comparable contracts, assess the contractor's specialized expertise, or understand the true technical nature of the services delivered. It necessitates a review of the contract's statement of work for a clearer picture.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 280011000
Offers Received: 329
Pricing Type: OTHER (NONE OF THE ABOVE) (3)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1650 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,724,711
Exercised Options: $12,724,711
Current Obligation: $12,724,711
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSS283200700006I
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-08-20
Current End Date: 2013-09-29
Potential End Date: 2013-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-09-18
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