Commerce awards $16.4M contract for ISO/IEC 17011 reassessment and witness activities to HOOLIHAN EMC CONSULTING, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,382 ($16.4K)

Contractor: Hoolihan EMC Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2027-04-09

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OU60-FY26-028-NEW A2LA NVCASE ACTIVITIES ISOIEC 17011 REASSESSMENT AND 2 WITNESS ASSESSMENT

Place of Performance

Location: LINDSTROM, CHISAGO County, MINNESOTA, 55045

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $16,382.3 to HOOLIHAN EMC CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: OU60-FY26-028-NEW A2LA NVCASE ACTIVITIES ISOIEC 17011 REASSESSMENT AND 2 WITNESS ASSESSMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized technical consulting services related to accreditation and conformity assessment. 2. The contract duration is one year, with a firm fixed price. 3. The awardee, HOOLIHAN EMC CONSULTING, INC., has secured this contract without open competition. 4. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is the procuring agency. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541690, indicating 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'. 6. The contract is a purchase order, suggesting a streamlined acquisition process.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar sole-source procurements for specialized accreditation services. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of competition raises questions about whether the pricing reflects optimal market value. Further analysis would require understanding the specific expertise and market rates for these niche consulting services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis or through a limited competition not detailed here. The absence of a broad solicitation means potential bidders were not given an opportunity to propose their services, which can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the most competitive pricing due to the lack of open competition, as alternative vendors were not solicited.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely NIST and potentially other federal agencies relying on accredited conformity assessment bodies. The services delivered are critical for ensuring the quality and reliability of standards and testing laboratories. The geographic impact is national, supporting the integrity of U.S. standards and trade. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a consulting service rather than a large-scale project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source award limits visibility into alternative service providers.
Contract type (Purchase Order) might indicate less rigorous oversight compared to other contract vehicles.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price provides cost certainty.
Specialized nature of services may justify a specific vendor's expertise.
Contract duration is relatively short, allowing for reassessment of future needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on consulting related to conformity assessment and accreditation standards. The market for such specialized services is often niche, with a limited number of highly qualified firms. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the scope of 'reassessment and witness assessment' activities.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The award to HOOLIHAN EMC CONSULTING, INC. does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem based on the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this purchase order would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within NIST. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed price contract, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with public details on the justification for not competing being crucial for full assessment.

Related Government Programs

Accreditation Services
Conformity Assessment
Technical Consulting Services
Standards Development Organizations

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Limited Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $16,382.3 to HOOLIHAN EMC CONSULTING, INC.. OU60-FY26-028-NEW A2LA NVCASE ACTIVITIES ISOIEC 17011 REASSESSMENT AND 2 WITNESS ASSESSMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HOOLIHAN EMC CONSULTING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16,382.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2027-04-09.

What is the specific expertise of HOOLIHAN EMC CONSULTING, INC. that warranted a sole-source award for ISO/IEC 17011 reassessment and witness activities?

The provided data does not detail the specific expertise of HOOLIHAN EMC CONSULTING, INC. that led to this sole-source award. Typically, sole-source justifications are based on factors such as unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, proprietary technology, or the urgency of the requirement where only one source can reasonably meet the need. For ISO/IEC 17011 reassessment and witness activities, this could involve highly specialized auditors with specific industry experience or accreditations that are not widely held. A full justification would be documented by the agency (NIST) and would outline why other sources are not capable of meeting the requirement.

How does the $16.4 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar NIST accreditation services?

The provided data does not include historical spending figures for similar NIST accreditation services, making a direct comparison impossible. To assess this, one would need to analyze NIST's procurement history for services related to ISO/IEC 17011, conformity assessment, and accreditation body oversight. Factors such as the scope of work, duration, and number of assessments would influence historical costs. Without this context, it is difficult to determine if $16.4 million represents a high, low, or average expenditure for such services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data summary does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. However, based on the description 'A2LA NVCASE ACTIVITIES ISOIEC 17011 REASSESSMENT AND 2 WITNESS ASSESSMENT', the deliverables likely include comprehensive reports on the reassessment of the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) or other conformity assessment bodies (NVCASE) against the ISO/IEC 17011 standard. Witness assessments would involve observing and evaluating specific accreditation processes conducted by the assessed body. KPIs would likely focus on the timeliness of report submission, the thoroughness of the assessments, and adherence to the ISO/IEC 17011 standard's requirements.

What is the risk associated with awarding a contract of this value without open competition?

The primary risk associated with awarding a contract of this value without open competition is the potential for paying a non-competitive price. When a contract is sole-sourced, the government foregoes the opportunity to solicit bids from multiple vendors, which typically drives down costs through market competition. This can lead to the government paying more than necessary for the goods or services. Additionally, there's a risk that the chosen vendor, while potentially qualified, may not be the most innovative or efficient provider available in the market. Transparency is also reduced, making it harder to publicly justify the expenditure.

What is the role of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in relation to conformity assessment and accreditation?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plays a crucial role in promoting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. In the context of conformity assessment and accreditation, NIST works to ensure that U.S. standards and metrology are recognized internationally. This includes supporting the development and implementation of internationally accepted standards like ISO/IEC 17011, which specifies requirements for bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies. NIST's involvement ensures the credibility and global acceptance of U.S. products and services by verifying the competence of testing laboratories and certification bodies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting 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: 1333ND26QNB600055

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 32515 NOTTINGHAM CT, LINDSTROM, MN, 55045

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,382

Exercised Options: $16,382

Current Obligation: $16,382

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline