Interior's $17.7M Behavioral Health Contract Awarded to Tribal Tech LLC for BIE

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,675,925 ($17.7M)

Contractor: Tribal Tech LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-08-01

End Date: 2026-01-31

Contract Duration: 914 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR BIE

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $17.7 million to TRIBAL TECH LLC for work described as: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR BIE Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance behavioral health services for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) students. 2. Focus on wellness programs suggests a proactive approach to student well-being. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. 5. Contract duration of 914 days allows for sustained service delivery. 6. Geographic focus on Virginia (VA) for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.7 million over approximately 2.5 years appears reasonable for comprehensive behavioral health services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for student wellness programs within federal agencies or tribal organizations would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs, but the specific scope of services will ultimately determine the true value delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' suggesting that while initial considerations might have excluded certain sources, the final award was made after a broad solicitation. The presence of two bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery and service quality. However, a higher number of bidders would typically lead to more robust competition and potentially better pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even with two bidders, suggests that taxpayer funds are being used to secure services through a structured procurement, aiming for fair market value.

Public Impact

Students within the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) system are the primary beneficiaries, receiving enhanced behavioral health and wellness support. Services are expected to improve student mental health outcomes, academic performance, and overall well-being. The contract's geographic focus on Virginia implies direct impact on students and communities within that state. Potential for positive workforce implications within the behavioral health sector, particularly for services supporting Native American communities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited scalability of services if demand exceeds initial projections.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across all BIE students served.
Dependence on Tribal Tech LLC for critical student support services.

Positive Signals

Focus on behavioral health addresses a critical need for student populations.
Award to a specific LLC suggests potential expertise in serving targeted communities.
Longer contract duration allows for program stability and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, specifically mental and behavioral health services, is a critical area of federal spending, particularly for underserved populations. This contract falls within the broader category of health services, with a specific focus on educational institutions serving Native American students. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for student mental health support, tribal health initiatives, or educational support services.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. As this was a full and open competition, the primary focus was likely on best value rather than specific small business participation goals. Further review of the contract details would be needed to ascertain any subcontracting requirements or opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education through contract officers and program managers. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract statement of work. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Programs
Bureau of Indian Education Services
Native American Health Services
Student Wellness Programs
Federal Behavioral Health Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks sufficient qualified personnel.
Risk of inadequate service reach if student needs exceed program capacity.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical student support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $17.7 million to TRIBAL TECH LLC. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR BIE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRIBAL TECH LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-01. End: 2026-01-31.

What specific behavioral health services are included in this contract?

The provided data indicates a 'BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR BIE' but does not detail the specific services. Typically, such programs can encompass individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, mental health assessments, psychiatric services, substance abuse prevention, and wellness education. The exact scope would be defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), outlining deliverables, performance standards, and reporting requirements. Understanding the precise services is crucial for evaluating the contract's effectiveness and value.

How does the $17.7 million contract value compare to similar federal spending on student behavioral health?

Directly comparing the $17.7 million value requires access to detailed data on similar contracts, which is not fully available here. However, for a program spanning approximately 2.5 years (August 2023 - January 2026), this represents an average annual expenditure of roughly $7 million. This figure needs to be contextualized by the number of students served, the geographic scope, and the intensity of services. Federal spending on student mental health can vary significantly based on agency, program goals, and student population needs. A comprehensive benchmark would involve analyzing contracts from agencies like the Department of Education or HHS serving similar demographics.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for Tribal Tech LLC under this contract?

The provided summary does not list specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). However, for a behavioral health and wellness program, common KPIs would likely include metrics related to student access to services, wait times for appointments, student satisfaction surveys, improvements in reported mental health symptoms (e.g., using standardized scales), reduction in disciplinary incidents related to behavioral issues, and program completion rates. The contract's Statement of Work (SOW) would detail these performance standards and the methods for measuring success, which are critical for assessing contractor performance and accountability.

What is the track record of Tribal Tech LLC in providing similar services?

The provided data identifies 'TRIBAL TECH LLC' as the contractor but does not offer details on their past performance or track record. To assess their suitability and reliability, a review of their contract history, past performance evaluations (if publicly available), and experience with similar government contracts, particularly those involving behavioral health or services for Native American communities, would be necessary. Federal procurement systems often contain past performance information that can shed light on a contractor's ability to meet contractual obligations.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include service delivery gaps, quality control issues, contractor performance deficiencies, or unforeseen increases in demand for services. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the agency, clearly defined performance standards and remedies in the contract, regular performance reviews, and contingency planning. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, but performance risks remain. The agency's active management and monitoring of the contract are key to mitigating these potential issues.

How does this contract align with the broader mission of the Bureau of Indian Education?

This contract directly aligns with the Bureau of Indian Education's (BIE) mission to provide quality educational opportunities for Native American students. Ensuring students have access to behavioral health and wellness services is fundamental to creating a supportive learning environment, improving academic outcomes, and fostering overall student well-being. By addressing mental health needs, the BIE aims to remove barriers to education and support the holistic development of its students, contributing to their success both in school and in life.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140A2323R0005

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 121 S ALFRED ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,470,901

Exercised Options: $25,441,663

Current Obligation: $17,675,925

Actual Outlays: $17,242,165

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline