A+ Government Solutions awarded $32.3M for ONC/FHA executive director initiatives, highlighting a 5-year contract duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,314,433 ($32.3M)

Contractor: A+ Government Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2015-06-05

End Date: 2020-09-18

Contract Duration: 1,932 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR (ONC) AND FEDERAL HEALTH ARCHITECTURE (FHA) SUPPORT FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INITIATIVES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $32.3 million to A+ GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR (ONC) AND FEDERAL HEALTH ARCHITECTURE (FHA) SUPPORT FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INITIATIVES Key points: 1. Contract value of $32.3 million over five years suggests a significant investment in executive director initiatives. 2. The 'All Other Publishers' NAICS code indicates a broad scope of services, potentially encompassing diverse support functions. 3. A Time and Materials contract type can introduce cost variability if not closely managed. 4. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 5. The duration of 1932 days (approximately 5.3 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 6. The contract's focus on ONC and FHA suggests alignment with federal health information technology and policy goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $32.3 million over approximately 5.3 years averages to about $6.1 million annually. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts for similar executive director support initiatives, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the work performed. Benchmarking against similar support contracts for federal health agencies would provide a clearer picture of whether this pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 5 bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for this requirement. This competitive process is generally expected to drive better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified contractors, potentially reducing overall costs.

Public Impact

The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) and Federal Health Architecture (FHA) are the primary beneficiaries, receiving support for their executive director initiatives. Services delivered likely include strategic planning, program management, policy development, and administrative support crucial for advancing federal health IT goals. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting federal agencies' efforts to improve health information exchange and interoperability. Workforce implications may involve specialized consultants and project managers contributing to the execution of key federal health initiatives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
The broad NAICS code 'All Other Publishers' might indicate a less defined scope, potentially leading to scope creep.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the services provided.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Long contract duration (over 5 years) indicates a sustained need and potential for stable support.
Contract supports key federal health initiatives within ONC and FHA, aligning with national health policy objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting government administration and policy functions within the health IT domain. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within contracts supporting federal agency operations, strategic planning, and program management, particularly those focused on health information technology and interoperability.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the contract value and the nature of the services, it is likely that larger, established firms or joint ventures were primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Interior, overseeing the work performed for ONC and FHA. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the Time and Materials contract, requiring detailed reporting and justification of hours and materials. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be less public.

Related Government Programs

ONC Health IT Certification Program
Federal Health Architecture Programs
HHS Agency Support Contracts
IT Policy and Management Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Scope creep risk given the broad NAICS code and focus on 'initiatives'.
Difficulty in measuring specific performance outcomes without defined metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $32.3 million to A+ GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC. IGF::CT::IGF OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR (ONC) AND FEDERAL HEALTH ARCHITECTURE (FHA) SUPPORT FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INITIATIVES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A+ GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-06-05. End: 2020-09-18.

What is the track record of A+ Government Solutions, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in health IT or administrative support?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that A+ Government Solutions, LLC has been awarded multiple federal contracts across various agencies. While specific details on their performance history for this particular contract (awarded in 2015) are not readily available in summary data, their ability to secure a $32.3 million contract suggests a level of established capability. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, any documented disputes or awards, and their history with similar contract types and scopes of work. Their experience with Time and Materials contracts and supporting executive-level initiatives would be key factors in evaluating their suitability and past performance.

How does the $32.3 million contract value compare to similar support contracts for federal health executive initiatives?

Benchmarking the $32.3 million contract value requires identifying comparable contracts for 'executive director initiatives' within federal health agencies like ONC and FHA. Contracts of this magnitude typically support significant, multi-year strategic efforts. Annual spending averages around $6.1 million, which is substantial but may fall within the expected range for comprehensive support of federal executive functions. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing the scope of work, duration, and specific deliverables of other contracts. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts with similar scopes, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a premium or a standard rate. However, the full and open competition suggests market forces were at play to determine a competitive price.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this size and duration?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially one valued at $32.3 million over five years, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not rigorously monitored. Key risks include: uncontrolled escalation of labor rates, inefficient use of labor hours, and the accumulation of material costs without a clear ceiling. Effective risk mitigation requires strong government oversight, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, clear task definitions, and regular reviews to ensure the work remains within budget and scope.

How effective has the support provided under this contract been in advancing ONC and FHA executive director initiatives?

Assessing the effectiveness of the support provided under this contract requires access to performance metrics and outcomes data that are not publicly available in this summary. The contract's purpose was to support executive director initiatives, which could encompass a wide range of activities from policy development to strategic planning. Without specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or documented achievements linked to this contract, it is impossible to quantify its effectiveness. Typically, such assessments would be part of the government's source selection evaluation and ongoing contract administration, potentially including contractor performance assessments (CPARs).

What has been the historical spending trend for similar executive support services within ONC and FHA?

Historical spending trends for similar executive support services within ONC and FHA are not detailed in the provided data. This contract, awarded in 2015, represents a specific investment over its 5.3-year period. To understand historical trends, one would need to analyze procurement data for previous years, looking for contracts with similar objectives, agencies, and scopes. Factors influencing spending trends could include shifts in administration priorities, evolving health IT landscapes, and changes in agency budgets. The $32.3 million award suggests a significant, ongoing need for such support during the contract's term.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › All Other Publishers

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

Solicitation ID: D15PS00206

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2121 15TH ST N, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,314,433

Exercised Options: $32,314,433

Current Obligation: $32,314,433

Actual Outlays: $6,374,413

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0565T

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline