State Department awards $5.3M contract for non-personal services to TUVLI LLC, with 1201 days duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,300,271 ($5.3M)

Contractor: Tuvli LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2021-06-06

End Date: 2024-09-19

Contract Duration: 1,201 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NON PERSONAL SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $5.3 million to TUVLI LLC for work described as: NON PERSONAL SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to TUVLI LLC for professional, scientific, and technical services. 2. The contract spans over three years, indicating a need for sustained support. 3. Services are categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 4. The contract was not available for open competition. 5. Delivery order issued under an unspecified contract vehicle. 6. Primary place of performance is Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $5.3 million over 1201 days (approximately 3.3 years) averages to about $1.6 million annually. Without specific details on the services rendered or comparable contracts, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and comparing them to market rates for similar professional services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed openly. The data indicates it was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests that either only one vendor was capable of providing the required services, or there were specific circumstances that precluded a competitive process. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve lower prices and potentially better service offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. This limits transparency in pricing and may result in the government paying more than it would in a competitive environment.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Consular Affairs within the Department of State is the primary beneficiary of these services. The services provided are broadly defined as 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. The contract's performance is centered in Washington D.C., impacting the local workforce and economy. The duration of the contract suggests ongoing operational support is required for consular affairs functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
The broad service category ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services') lacks specificity, making it hard to assess performance and value.
The contract vehicle used for this delivery order is not specified, hindering a full understanding of its origin and terms.
The absence of a clear benchmark for per-unit cost makes value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

The contract provides sustained support to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, crucial for its operations.
The services are performed in Washington D.C., potentially supporting local employment.
The contract has a defined period of performance, allowing for planning and resource allocation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically within the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990). This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of services not elsewhere classified. The federal government is a significant purchaser of such services, utilizing them for everything from research and development to administrative support and specialized consulting. Benchmarking spending in this category is challenging due to its breadth, but it represents a substantial portion of overall federal contracting.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific requirement ('ss': false, 'sb': false). There is no information provided regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. This suggests that the primary awardee, TUVLI LLC, is likely not a small business, and there is no explicit mechanism in place to ensure subcontracting opportunities for small businesses on this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order, it is likely governed by the terms of a larger, potentially pre-existing contract vehicle. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of detailed service descriptions. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of State IT Services
Department of State Professional Services
Bureau of Consular Affairs Operations Support
Federal Professional and Technical Services
Non-Personal Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about price competition.
Broad service description lacks specificity, hindering performance and value assessment.
Contract vehicle for delivery order is not identified.
No clear per-unit cost benchmark available for value analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $5.3 million to TUVLI LLC. NON PERSONAL SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TUVLI LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-06. End: 2024-09-19.

What specific services does TUVLI LLC provide under this contract?

The contract description states 'NON PERSONAL SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS' and classifies the services under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. This is a very broad category and does not specify the exact nature of the work performed. It could encompass a wide range of activities, such as administrative support, consulting, research, data analysis, or specialized technical assistance. Without further details from the contract award or performance statements, the precise services rendered remain unclear. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to assess the contract's necessity, effectiveness, or value.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The contract was designated as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not provided in the data. Common reasons for sole-source awards include situations where only one vendor possesses the unique capability, expertise, or technology required; urgent and compelling circumstances that preclude competition; or when the contract is a follow-on to a previous competitive award where only the original contractor can provide the necessary services. Without the official justification, it is impossible to definitively state why competition was bypassed for this $5.3 million contract.

How does the duration of the contract (1201 days) compare to typical contracts for similar services?

A duration of 1201 days, approximately 3.3 years, is a substantial period for a contract, especially for professional services. While multi-year contracts are common in government to ensure continuity of operations and potentially lock in pricing, the length here warrants scrutiny. Typical contracts for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' can vary widely, but durations exceeding three years often suggest a critical, long-term need. Without knowing the specific services, it's hard to make a direct comparison. However, such extended periods necessitate robust performance monitoring to ensure continued value and alignment with evolving agency needs.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' by the Department of State?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for NAICS code 541990 ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services') by the Department of State would require access to comprehensive federal procurement data over several fiscal years. This specific contract represents a $5.3 million award over approximately 3.3 years. To understand the broader context, one would need to aggregate all contracts awarded under this NAICS code by the State Department. This would reveal trends in spending, identify major contractors, and indicate whether this particular award is an outlier or part of a consistent pattern of procurement in this service category. Such analysis is crucial for budget planning and identifying potential areas for cost savings or consolidation.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude?

Sole-source awards, particularly for significant amounts like $5.3 million, carry inherent risks. The primary risk is the lack of price competition, which can lead to the government paying a premium compared to what might be achieved in a competitive bidding process. This reduces the overall value for taxpayer money. Another risk is reduced innovation, as the absence of competition may disincentivize the contractor from proactively seeking more efficient or effective solutions. Furthermore, reliance on a single source can create vendor lock-in and increase vulnerability if the contractor fails to perform adequately or faces financial instability. Transparency is also diminished, making it harder to scrutinize the necessity and cost-effectiveness of the services.

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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13873 PARK CENTER RD STE 400N-190, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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: $7,592,889

Exercised Options: $6,741,091

Current Obligation: $5,300,271

Actual Outlays: $2,609,400

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM18D0105

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline