DoD's $9.2M contract for clinical studies support awarded to Glacier Support Services, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,207,707 ($9.2M)
Contractor: Glacier Support Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-08-27
End Date: 2027-02-26
Contract Duration: 1,644 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY IMMUNIZATION HEALTHCARE DIVISION CLINICAL STUDIES SUPPORT AND HEALTH APPLICATIONS SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $9.2 million to GLACIER SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY IMMUNIZATION HEALTHCARE DIVISION CLINICAL STUDIES SUPPORT AND HEALTH APPLICATIONS SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for clinical studies support and health applications systems. 2. Focus on technical services for the Immunization Healthcare Division. 3. Contract duration extends over four years. 4. Awarded as a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized. 6. Geographic location of performance is Virginia.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $9.2 million over approximately 4.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar clinical studies support contracts would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but may not incentivize efficiency if not carefully managed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures and was awarded as a sole-source definitive contract. The lack of competition raises questions about whether the government obtained the best possible price and service. Without a competitive process, it is difficult to ascertain the market rate for these services or if alternative solutions were considered.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.
Public Impact
Provides essential support for clinical studies related to immunizations. Enhances health applications systems for the Defense Health Agency. Supports the operational readiness and health of military personnel. Services are performed in Virginia, potentially impacting the local workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
- Absence of a competitive process limits transparency in pricing.
- Firm fixed-price contract could lead to contractor complacency without strong oversight.
Positive Signals
- Definitive contract provides a clear framework for services.
- Firm fixed-price contract offers budget predictability.
- Longer contract duration allows for sustained support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting healthcare and research within the Department of Defense. The market for such specialized support services is driven by government needs for research, development, and operational health programs. Comparable spending would involve other contracts for clinical trial management, data analysis, and health IT support within federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited, and the full potential of the small business ecosystem may not be leveraged for this procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Defense Health Agency's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the definitive contract structure and firm fixed-price terms. Transparency could be enhanced by making detailed performance reports publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- DoD Clinical Research Programs
- Defense Health Agency IT Services
- Federal Health IT Contracts
- Scientific and Technical Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Potential for cost overruns without strong oversight.
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics.
Tags
defense, healthcare, department-of-defense, defense-health-agency, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, professional-scientific-technical-services, clinical-studies-support, health-applications-systems, virginia, not-competed-under-sap
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $9.2 million to GLACIER SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC. DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY IMMUNIZATION HEALTHCARE DIVISION CLINICAL STUDIES SUPPORT AND HEALTH APPLICATIONS SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GLACIER SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-08-27. End: 2027-02-26.
What is the specific scope of work for Glacier Support Services, LLC under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Clinical Studies Support and Health Applications Systems Support Services' for the Immunization Healthcare Division. While the exact deliverables are not detailed, this typically encompasses tasks such as managing clinical trial data, developing and maintaining health application systems, providing technical expertise for health IT solutions, and supporting research related to immunizations. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined set of services rather than an open-ended time and materials arrangement. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work.
How does the annual value of this contract compare to similar services within the DoD or federal government?
The total contract value is approximately $9.2 million over a period of roughly 1644 days (about 4.5 years), equating to an average annual value of roughly $2 million. Without specific details on the services rendered, direct comparison is difficult. However, for specialized IT and clinical support services within large federal agencies like the DoD, an annual spend in the low millions is not uncommon. Benchmarking would require identifying contracts with similar scopes, such as clinical research support, health IT system maintenance, or data analytics for health programs, and comparing their annual values and performance metrics.
What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing and reduced service quality due to the lack of competition. When a contract is not competed, the government loses the opportunity to leverage market forces to secure the best value. This can lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for the services. Additionally, without competitive pressure, the contractor may have less incentive to innovate or improve efficiency. There's also a risk that the government may not be aware of superior or more cost-effective solutions available from other vendors.
What performance metrics or oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure contractor success?
The provided data does not specify performance metrics or detailed oversight mechanisms. However, as a definitive contract with a firm fixed-price structure, performance is typically monitored through contract administration by the Defense Health Agency. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely be defined in the contract's statement of work, focusing on timely delivery, quality of services, and adherence to technical specifications. Regular progress reviews and acceptance of deliverables would form the basis of oversight. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for day-to-day monitoring.
What is the historical spending trend for similar services by the Defense Health Agency or Immunization Healthcare Division?
Historical spending data for similar services by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) or its Immunization Healthcare Division is not provided in the current data. To assess trends, one would need to analyze past contracts for clinical studies support, health IT systems, and related technical services awarded by these entities. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, their values, durations, and the nature of the services provided. Understanding historical spending patterns can help identify whether this $9.2 million contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these capabilities.
What is the significance of the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990)?
The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category used for establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized professional, scientific, and technical services not elsewhere classified. This includes a wide range of activities such as research and development services, environmental consulting, and other specialized technical support. For this contract, it signifies that the services provided by Glacier Support Services, LLC are highly specialized and do not fit neatly into more specific industry categories like IT services or engineering, highlighting the unique nature of the support required by the Immunization Healthcare Division.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: W81XWH22R0038
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1826 N LOOP 1604 W STE 336H, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78248
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,306,122
Exercised Options: $10,959,462
Current Obligation: $9,207,707
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-08-27
Current End Date: 2027-02-26
Potential End Date: 2027-02-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-12
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