DoD's Defense Health Agency awards $12M contract for administrative and IT support to RB Continuum, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,970,515 ($12.0M)

Contractor: RB Continuum, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-02-09

End Date: 2026-12-19

Contract Duration: 1,044 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CYBER SECURITY, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, CONSULTATION, FACILITATION, PRODUCT SUPPORT, MEDICAL INFORMATICS SUPPORT, AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT SERVICES SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21702

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.0 million to RB CONTINUUM, INC. for work described as: PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CYBER SECURITY, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, CONSULTATION, FACILITATION, PRODUCT SUPPORT, MEDICAL INFORMATICS SUPPORT, AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT SERVICES SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on a broad range of services including administrative, IT, cybersecurity, and medical informatics support. 2. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, indicating potential for future task orders. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The duration of the contract is over two years, suggesting a need for sustained support. 5. The contractor, RB Continuum, Inc., has a track record with the federal government, though specific performance details are not provided here. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, implying a focus on larger, established firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $12 million over roughly two years appears reasonable for the breadth of services required. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative, IT, and program management support within the Department of Defense suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the contractor can manage their expenses effectively. Without detailed service-level agreements or performance metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award provides some assurance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors were solicited and allowed to bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While more than one bidder is positive, a higher number of bids typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The agency's decision to use full and open competition is a standard practice for ensuring broad market access.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation. The presence of at least two bidders suggests that the government received multiple offers, which is a positive sign for price negotiation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the Defense Health Agency, receiving critical support services. Services delivered include administrative management, information technology, cybersecurity, program management, and medical informatics support. The geographic impact is likely centered around the Defense Health Agency's operational locations, primarily within the United States. Workforce implications include the creation of jobs for individuals with expertise in administrative, IT, and healthcare support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a diverse set of critical services could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring continuous cybersecurity vigilance is paramount given the sensitive nature of defense health data.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure aligns incentives for cost control.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contract duration allows for stability and continuity of essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of government functions. The Defense Health Agency's need for these services highlights the critical role of external expertise in managing complex healthcare systems and IT infrastructure within the federal government. Comparable spending in this category often involves large, multi-year contracts supporting major agency operations.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by the 'ss' field being false. This suggests that the scope and requirements of the services were likely geared towards larger companies with the capacity and expertise to handle such a broad range of support. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the contracting officer and the Defense Health Agency's program management office. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that oversight will focus on performance against defined deliverables and milestones rather than detailed cost monitoring. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Health Agency IT Support Contracts
Federal Administrative Management Consulting Services
Cybersecurity Services for Government Agencies
Program Management Support Contracts
Medical Informatics Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues due to broad service scope
Cybersecurity risks inherent in IT and data support services
Contractor's specific performance history requires further review

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.0 million to RB CONTINUUM, INC.. PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CYBER SECURITY, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, CONSULTATION, FACILITATION, PRODUCT SUPPORT, MEDICAL INFORMATICS SUPPORT, AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT SERVICES SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RB CONTINUUM, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-09. End: 2026-12-19.

What is the track record of RB Continuum, Inc. with the Department of Defense and similar agencies?

RB Continuum, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those with the Department of Defense. While the provided data indicates this is a delivery order under a larger contract, further investigation into their past performance ratings, previous contract values, and the types of services they have delivered to DoD and other agencies would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Examining their performance on similar administrative, IT, and program management contracts would provide insight into their reliability and ability to meet government requirements. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and contractor performance databases can offer more granular details on their track record.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar services procured by the Defense Health Agency or other DoD components?

The contract value of approximately $12 million over 1044 days (roughly 2.8 years) translates to an average annual value of about $4.3 million. To benchmark this, one would need to identify comparable contracts awarded by the Defense Health Agency or other DoD entities for similar scopes of administrative, IT, cybersecurity, and program management services. Factors such as the specific deliverables, service levels, and the competitive landscape at the time of award influence pricing. Without access to detailed pricing breakdowns or a comprehensive database of comparable contract values, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests the government has negotiated a set price, and the full and open competition indicates market forces were at play.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, given the broad range of services including administrative, IT, cybersecurity, and program management, it is highly probable that specific performance metrics are defined within the contract's statement of work. These would likely include metrics related to system uptime for IT services, response times for cybersecurity incidents, accuracy and timeliness for administrative tasks, and successful completion of program management milestones. The firm-fixed-price structure implies that meeting these defined performance standards is crucial for the contractor's profitability and successful contract execution.

What is the potential risk associated with the contractor's ability to deliver across such a diverse service portfolio?

The primary risk associated with RB Continuum, Inc. delivering across such a diverse service portfolio lies in potential dilution of expertise or resource allocation challenges. Managing administrative functions, complex IT systems, cybersecurity threats, and program management requires distinct skill sets and dedicated resources. If the contractor overcommits or fails to adequately staff each area, performance could suffer. The firm-fixed-price nature means the contractor bears the cost of any inefficiencies, but the government's risk is in receiving substandard services. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are essential to mitigate this risk and ensure all service areas are adequately addressed.

How has the Defense Health Agency historically utilized contracts for administrative and IT support services?

The Defense Health Agency (DHA), as a major component of the Department of Defense, has consistently relied on a mix of contract types and vehicles to procure administrative, IT, cybersecurity, and program management support. Historically, DHA has awarded numerous contracts, ranging from large, comprehensive support agreements to smaller, specialized task orders, to ensure the effective operation of its vast healthcare system. These contracts often involve full and open competition but also utilize other contracting methods depending on urgency and specific requirements. The agency's spending in these areas reflects the critical need to maintain robust IT infrastructure, ensure data security, and manage complex healthcare programs efficiently.

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) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HT942523Q0046

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: RB Continuum Inc.

Address: 2959 BRUBECK TER, IJAMSVILLE, MD, 21754

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,224,422

Exercised Options: $11,970,515

Current Obligation: $11,970,515

Actual Outlays: $872,777

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA19D0091

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline